Another lovely day on the river yesterday. I won my third trophy - my second for punting. This might indicate a talent for punting. Sadly, I have to correct this foolish notion. I still can't steer without grinding to a halt, and it generally comes down to luck who wins, ultimately whoever doesn't get caught up in the foliage. Getting caught up is more of a problem on the bank side of the course. The lane nearest the centre of the river is safer from the point of view of avoiding hedges and overhanging trees, but can leave you gently spiralling out of control, and out of depth for your pole. This can be embarrassing.
I haven't really decided which is worse, trying to reverse out of a shrub without falling in, or trying to look like you know what you are doing as you find your punt perpendicular to the bank and the top of your pole disappearing below the surface.
I shall give this weighty matter further consideration and let you know when I have finished ruminating.
I also took part in a skiff race. It was a 600m course - not too bad I hear you think. Sadly, to get to the start line, I had to row against the flow, weaving in and out of pleasure boats. By the time I was at the start, I was exhausted. Then I had to row back with great enthusiasm. I was about two thirds of my way down the course, when I heard the finish bell ring for my competitor, which is fairly depressing, and those final strokes felt a bit dismal.
At the end of the race the pain is not yet over as you have to 'park'. It is quite off putting manoeuvring a skiff while being scrutinised from the clubhouse by happy, alcohol imbibed visitors. As I tried to look adept at easing my skiff into a small gap on the bank, I decided it would be easier to simply turn my blades round and row facing forwards.
A more experienced rower tried to help by indicating that I should row facing backwards while mooring, as is customary. That would have required a rather complicated 360 spin by that point, so I pretended not to have heard.
I have now realised that you row facing away from the direction of travel so you don't get downhearted as your competitor puts more and more water between you. It suddenly seems so sensible!
I'm off to polish my trophies now. Carefully placed on my front windowsill so the neighbours can see them and who might be fooled into thinking I am an adept sportswoman.
I haven't really decided which is worse, trying to reverse out of a shrub without falling in, or trying to look like you know what you are doing as you find your punt perpendicular to the bank and the top of your pole disappearing below the surface.
I shall give this weighty matter further consideration and let you know when I have finished ruminating.
I also took part in a skiff race. It was a 600m course - not too bad I hear you think. Sadly, to get to the start line, I had to row against the flow, weaving in and out of pleasure boats. By the time I was at the start, I was exhausted. Then I had to row back with great enthusiasm. I was about two thirds of my way down the course, when I heard the finish bell ring for my competitor, which is fairly depressing, and those final strokes felt a bit dismal.
At the end of the race the pain is not yet over as you have to 'park'. It is quite off putting manoeuvring a skiff while being scrutinised from the clubhouse by happy, alcohol imbibed visitors. As I tried to look adept at easing my skiff into a small gap on the bank, I decided it would be easier to simply turn my blades round and row facing forwards.
A more experienced rower tried to help by indicating that I should row facing backwards while mooring, as is customary. That would have required a rather complicated 360 spin by that point, so I pretended not to have heard.
I have now realised that you row facing away from the direction of travel so you don't get downhearted as your competitor puts more and more water between you. It suddenly seems so sensible!
I'm off to polish my trophies now. Carefully placed on my front windowsill so the neighbours can see them and who might be fooled into thinking I am an adept sportswoman.
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