Sponsored memories

Zooming down the THames as we are today brings back many happy memories of sponsored rows enjoyed/suffered in earlier life. For Kingston grammar school (as a member of the veterans club) I joined a mixed eight rowing from Radley rowing club covering 80 miles to Hampton court raising funds towards cancer research and a new rowing club house for the school. Only 6 weeks previously I undertook a sponsored row in a pair with my youngest son from Pangbourne to Hampton court raising funds for his World Challenge project trip to Tanzania. In all , both rows covered 141 miles and raised enough to cover the Tanzania trip and completion of the club house, but cancer has yet to be beaten unfortunately. The very friendly lock keeper at Day's lock was there all those years ago. Lynne was part of the pair support group.....in fact, she was the pair support group ! Her job was to supply bananas and sports drinks or water to us at each lock, armed only with a sat-nav and mobile phone. Out of 31locks the only one she missed was Day's lock but the keeper was able to inform us double rations would be available at the next thanks to a phone message from Lynne. I have lost count of the regatta's attended or competed in on or near the Thames over the past 10 years or more at places like Wallingford, Beale Park, Pangbourne, reading, Shiplake, Henley, Abingdon, Marlow, Maidenhead, Dorney, Egham, Twickenham, Molesey, Thames Ditton, Kingston and Richmond. Each has a story to tell if only time could allow.