Richmond to Putney and rowing the Oxford Cambridge boat race course (well backwards)

1st June 2014

It was an evening row and I was in a rush to get the boat in the water before the Richmond barrage went up and I would have to go through the adjacent lock. The barrage is removed towards high tide to let water flow up stream but comes into play after high tide to stop it all flowing out.

The barrage down on another day

Due to inattention and navigational blunder I managed to go under the bridge and not realise I had just passed the barrage in the up position - above my head.

The tide was taking me downstream at quite a pace and soon I was at the boat race course. Of course I was facing backwards, so had the view that the TV cameras give you going forwards (if that is not too confusing). 

I passed under Barnes bridge, lining the boat up in reverse in the trajectories that I thought were used by the coxes.

In fact I went over the exact spot that Cambridge sank in 1978 and as I rowed down stream I could image the path it took as it got more and more swamped. Cue the commentary:

‘It could be a sinking … yes it is … they’ve gone into the dolphin effect …and now it’s panic … unbelievable how they could go down so quickly … they’re all still alive … what a tragic finish …’ 

(editor: how the commentator came up with the 'dophin effect,' I don't know, but it was mightily impressive - never heard it since). 

By the way, PicoMicroYacht has the advantage that it won't swamp and so sink - water just runs out the stern end.

The various riverside pubs you see on the boat race day appeared, including the Blue Anchor. But I was covering the course quickly as the tide pushed me on.

Soon I was under Hammersmith Bridge and with the river clear was able to take full advantage of the stream, passing Fulham Football club on the Middlesex shore.

Finally, I was at Putney, my finish. It was getting darker and the twilight look with reflections reminded me of the nocturne river paintings by the English/ American artist James Whistler.

PicoMicroYacht Photograph

James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Nocturne: Blue and Gold  circa 1872-5

Oil on canvas

Rowing with the CASPA runners and meeting the man who built the Queen's barge

3rd May 2014

I had now joined the CASPA runners and we had set up a base camp of three motor cruisers at the beautiful Harleyford Estate near Marlow.

Our thanks to Mark who runs the marina  and  who was so helpful making us at feel at home and for Philip who made sure everything ran smoothly.

I would now be trying to keep up with the CASPA runners for two days as I rowed the forty miles to Richmond, my orange flag advertising the charity event. A quick wave and I was off.

I  passed Bisham Abbey near where the English football team used to train before world cup events.

 And then through Marlow Town.

Through Cookham, Maidenhead and then past Windsor Castle, rowing hard to keep with the runners

Finally I reached Dachett. Some of the runners, including one of our group, a 400 metre Olympic medalist, were completely exhausted as we sat reminiscing in the pub. 

4th May 2014

The next day another send off, this time the CASPA runners psyching themselves up for their marathon whilst they watched me go. We photographed each other.

Paul from Kris Cruiser (see front person top) had helped us with one of the motor cruisers and also kindly stored PicoMicroYacht for the night.

To start with I tried not to row too fast, realising I had to last the 23 miles to Richmond. At one point I was rowing in tandem with a skiff for many miles; they were first to go through the lock. Two middle aged sons double sculled with their father coxing and occasionally rowing. One of the sons had ran/rowed/cycled from London to Paris and was enjoying the day out.

Different craft passed us on the way

Along the river bank I could see groups of runner through the trees as I was able to keep pace with them

The runners stopped for a break and would wave if they had the energy

A highlight was going through the huge Teddington lock and rowing down the lock to exit - runners were jogging along the lock on the right

Eventually I arrived in Richmond my destination,  which seemed packed with people. This is where PicoMicroYacht had been built (well the wooden bit) by Bill Colley. I reflected on the fact that PicoMicroYacht was visiting it's birth place.

Mark Edwards MBE from Richmond Bridge Boat Houses very kindly let me leave the boat on his pontoon for the night. Mark is boat builder, having built the Gloriana, a 94 foot rowing barge that was the lead ship in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pagent in 2012. Mark said 'my wife saw you out there and remarked isn't that the funny boat that Bill Colley worked on a few years ago?' When I told him that the 'funny boat' had crossed the English Channel he said in his drole voice 'If you do it once I forgive you, but not if you do it again.' 

The Queen on Gloriana

Monet, World War 2, rowing trials and being 'in the groove' at Henley

19th April

I set off again and quickly came to Pangbourne, where a bridge was completely demolished to be rebuilt.

I couldn't help thinking Monet could have painted this scene, including the cranes and the clouds, a mixture of modernity and nature.

When I got to my next lock, Mapledurham, I was kept hearing a series of bang noises, like small arms fire or semi-automatic rifles. Rounding a bend in the river looking through the trees I could see some soldiers in World War 2 uniform.

I had stumbled across the Mapledurham at War event in which visitors were invited to 'taste the atmosphere of army and civilian life as war rages across Europe.' 

Further down an amphibious vehicle was making it's way upstream

I reflected on the contrasting peacefulness of the Thames as it meandered through the pastoral landscape.

After Reading I took a break in what I thought was a little inlet with swans.

But looking over the bank I saw stretching into the distance an Olympic size 2000 metre size course -  I was at the start. Under 23 rowers were being trialing for the national squads and shot off the start at three times PicoMicoYachts maximum speed.

21st April

After some more Monet like scenes,  the river seemed to pick up pace.

 Magnificent Henley came into view.

I was glad to stop at the Angel Inn for Lunch. 

PicoMicroYacht rested whilst I visited my favourite vinyl store 'In the groove' and bought (sorry it is cheesy) a recording of La Mer, which I had to protect from the rain for the rest of the trip to Marlow.

Four days rowing down the Thames

12th April 2014:

It would take nine days to row down the Thames and I was doing the first four days, starting at Lechlade. 

My uncle, a retired  Royal Navy lieutenant  commander and World War 2 veteran, was there to send me off.

I have to admit it was my first time using a lock since the 1970s and the first for PicoMicoYacht.  I had to learn the etiquette again.  It said  'self service,' so I got out and opened the gates. Before I could get back in  a motor boat swept past me into the lock and blocked the steps, so when I entered the lock I would be trapped in the boat. Then I thought ....  relax and  remember what Old Father Thames had said - 'in this world of rush and hurry it matters neither here nor there.' I stayed put whilst he did the lock.

I was then getting into the groove, pulling hard one side and then the other as I negotiated the kinks in the river. 

The scenery passed by as a kaleidoscope of water colour paintings, with beautiful trees and picturesque boats.

Eventually I got to Newbridge and found a Jetty opposite the Rose Revived, the stone bridge build by monks in the 14th Century.

 13th April 2014:

It was a short trip to Pinkhill Lock, about eight miles from Oxford, an idyllic spot.

But in my last but five strokes my rowing seat disintegrated. One of the spindles had broken.

Early the next day  I went to ES Rowing Services. They were really helpful,  attaching  new wheels to my wooden seat in a jiffy. 'That one you had there had single flanges - that's dangerous.'  Well it would have been last year half way round Land's End.

E Sim's seem to know what they are doing and mend boats, this one having an argument with a barge. 

14th April 2014:

The sun  kept shining and the animal life continued, a mother duck leading her brood to safety, geese cackling by the lock and horses grazing in Port Meadow near Oxford.

The dreaming spires of Oxford drew closer and soon I was opposite the Christ Church meadows, glimpsing through the trees the college building where I had lived for a year.

Another way to see Oxford is to arrive in large white fibreglass boxes with powerful motors and all modern luxuries.

It's a myth that all Oxford undergraduates waste their time partying -  some just hang out down at their boat club houses, chatting away on their concept rowing machines.

Nearing  Abingdon with the light was fading and PicoMicroYacht passed the Radley School boathouse.

15th April 2014:

An early start and the sheep were curious about PicoMicroYacht.

At the Days Lock the divers were checking the gates. One diver was taking it easy whilst his mate was down in the lock, soon to emerge.

The gaffer, an older man in red with an Australian accent, was friendly and halted the diving operation to let me past, also offering to sponsor me.

Further down the river the effects of the flooding were evident.

Eventually I reached the sailing club at Goring and they let me leave my boat there for the evening.

60 miles - another 103 to go.

Picomicroyacht to row down the river Thames

Crossing the English Channel in a rowing boat is still off limits and Picomicroyacht has decided instead to row down the river Thames from the source to the Thames Estuary. Talking of sources a great mystery in life is how the source of a river is chosen. Here is the source of the Thames - yes the exact  location and definitely not the spring in the other valley.

Trewsbury Meadow in Gloucesterhire  - the source

But even Picomicroyacht is too big to start here, so will begin the voyage near Lechlade, where the statue of Old Father Thames marks the start of navigational water.

Old Father Thames

A different style of rowing is called for, a more leisurely approach...

'There are some folk who always worry

and some folk who never care

but in this world of rush and hurry

it matters neither here or there

be steady and realistic

don't hanker for gold or gems

be carefree and optimistic 

like Old Father Thames'

Peter Dawson - Old Father Thames - Recorded Abbey Road Studios 1933

This year I am again collecting money for CASPA - which helps young people on the autistic spectrum and their families - I shall be steady and realistic, carefree and optimistic - not hankering after gold or gems, but I am hoping for some sponsorship.