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.