The Admirals Cruise.

[oldgit]

Weekend of the 2nd/3rd July is the date of the annual "Beating of the Bounds" on the river Medway.Cruise is organised jointly by Rochester Cruising Club and the Rochester Oyster and Floating Fishery.A charter was granted in 1446 for a Admiral of the Medway from Sherenesse to Hawkewode,the cruise over two days celebrates the occasion.
We are being joined this year by a group from the upper Medway,which could give a total of up to just possibly a hundred boats overall.The first day involves a trip upstream to the Hawkwood Stone which marks the upper limit of the fishery followed by a rather splendid late lunch and "refeshments" provided by the local fishermen.

Day two is a downriver trip accompanied by the local police rib,conservancy launches,the Royal Engineers and just about anybody else with little better to do.As we pass each club(mostly raggy) we fire a cannon and they shoot back.
We have two war graves in the river where a wreath is cast into the water and then its off to the wreck of the Montgomery for another short service.
The flottila calls into Queenborough harbour for quick snifter before an undignified rush back to the club house for the buffet.

 

[Brayman]

Sorry Fred, I've got a wedding to go to!

 

[Bassplayer]

Where do I sign/apply etc? If they'll let me near anyway....

 

[Ramage]

If they allow Oldgit, they will allow anyone.....

 

[oldgit]

"If they allow Oldgit, they will allow anyone....."

Grrrr..........





The down river cruise is best......always used to tag along behind even before becoming a memeber of RCC.

 

[No Regrets]

Nicely put....

Mind you, don't Bray allow Oldgit in??

 

[Bassplayer]

What time does that start and from where?

I had a look at the RCC website - what's all this blazers and whites malarky?

 

[oldgit]

The forum burgee will be up.

What time does that start and from where?

"I had a look at the RCC website - what's all this blazers and whites malarky?"

Err... well guv,nor ...my club being a bit posh like,wot with aving a
axshull proper clubhouse with rulz and fings ,like to do stuff proper innit.

The upriver bit on Saturday leaves Rochester Bridge with various mayors and dignitories aboard at the crack of lunchtime around 12 noon.We will be "exchanging greetings" with MBM at 12.50 sharp..

Will be meeting a dozen or so boats from "above the lock" at the Hawkstone who will be coming back down to moor at RCC for the rest of the weekend.May be a bit congested .

Sunday trip out to The Montgomery starts from Rochester Bridge at 10.30 of the clock.

We normally sneak off after trip out around the wreck with assorted other nere-do-wells into Stangate for a bite,while the "gentlemen" of the club moor in Queenborough Harbour.

My boat can normally be found skulking around somehere at the back somewher, identifiable by a missmatched selection of scruffy fenders completely failing to hide all the scratches recently added to hull courtesy of last Thames trip.
Last year they managed to press gang 70 boats.
Say hello if you are around,will put an extra straw in the bottle(v.small) of beer we always keep on board.

 

[Bassplayer]

OK. My burgee will be flying. Probably see you up the creek with /without the paddle! I will make sure the 'fridge is stocked.

 

[oldgit]

"OK. My burgee will be flying. Probably see you up the creek with /without the paddle! I will make sure the 'fridge is stocked."

Fine by me.
Look forward to seeing you,just so many things going on down here for us "proper boaters" difficult to keep up.eh

Still,when we get really old and decrepit and lose the will to live , we can always retire to the Thames and gently dribble between the marina and the nearest lock..