Unlike the lazy men the women - led by Anne - got themselves together and entered Vets Head. And selected me (William, your author) as their cox. We managed two outings a week with long pieces tackled with enthusiasm, and Anne’s untiring efforts even found a trailer, with Champs. And so, the big day. We were boating from Furnival, which is a good spot and the clubhouse has been tarted up. If you’re thinking of boating from there I’d recommend watching the video of us boating, because the “turn” onto the pontoon at Furnival is tight. Notice the luxury of not having to push off as soon as we’re in and settle down once on the water: Vets is more relaxed than HoRR. Nor was there a formal boating order. The water, once we were on it, wasn’t bad: a decent day, fairly flat, once the wash from the safety boats had subsided.

As to the race, see the video, part 1 and part 2. Notice me poncing around at the start giving #122 a nice gap, and then #124 rather rudely comes up our chuff. Kids these days. Anyway, we settled down and raced our race. Sadly we didn’t win our category but then again we weren’t last either and that will do. My lines were not at all impeccable for which I offer my apologies.

Pix are ripped from fb. Thanks to Lorraine for support; Jo for subbing in; and commiserations to Mel for her Covid-forced absence.