Great River Race 2013

[Pikey Dave]

So! We leave Gods own at 4pm on Friday, crawl down the M1, arrive in Richmond at 9pm, launch in the (pitch) dark, find the pontoon, pitch the tent in the dark, get up at 4.30 am, get washed & brew up in a scout hut, find the boats (in the dark, in a strange land) & set off down the Thames, in the company of Bouncer & Domino at 5.45 just as the dawn was breaking. 3 1/2 hours later we arrive at Masthouse pier for the safety brief, after having the river just about to ourselves for most of the way. We loved every minute The race starts at 12.10 & we are on station at Canary Wharf, trying to keep the 300 boats or so, to the north side of the river, out of the way of the fast clippers Mrs PD likened it to "herding cats" As the last competitors passed us, we tucked in behind & herded them up the river. We had to assist a couple of dragon boats that were in danger of sinking due to being swamped, but apart from that & a few stroppy competitors, all went well & nobody died, which is always a bonus We were on the water for 13hours & covered the section of the Thames from Ham to Greenwich twice, about 50 miles in total, mostly at 6kn We had a fantastic time & would do it all again in a wink.

PS, this was a proper race, with proper winners & not just some terwat that stole claimed it for himself.

[Pikey Dave]

Few more

[Pikey Dave]

& more

[landlord]

Must have been half asleep due to the 4am start and didnt say hi to you guys or Domino or Bouncer !!

Pikey you summed it up well, great day, great way to see the Thames with like minded boaters.

However although the race didn't have any dramas we did get involved with a rescue on the way back in the non tidal part of the Thames ! Had to pull a man and his dog out of the water who had been stuck for about half an hour with water up to his chest whilst holding his 9 stone bull dog ! All ended ok but the RIB was covered in mud and dog hairs !

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by landlord

Must have been half asleep due to the 4am start and didnt say hi to you guys or Domino or Bouncer !!

Pikey you summed it up well, great day, great way to see the Thames with like minded boaters.

However although the race didn't have any dramas we did get involved with a rescue on the way back in the non tidal part of the Thames ! Had to pull a man and his dog out of the water who had been stuck for about half an hour with water up to his chest whilst holding his 9 stone bull dog ! All ended ok but the RIB was covered in mud and dog hairs !

Ahh! Were you the black & grey Opsrey? It never dawned on me either, nice boat, very nice boat

[landlord]

That would be us

Did like your set up with the radar and reflector.

[kerny]

Nice pics PD glad you all had a great time on the Thames

[paulbrown22]

Nice to see the old Walton on the Naze lifeboat on the river.

I was over at Walton on the Naze on Sunday teaching Sea Cadets when the lifeboat returned to it's berth - they were fairly knackered having rowed it along the river and then motored it all the way back again by sea!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by paulbrown22

Nice to see the old Walton on the Naze lifeboat on the river.

I was over at Walton on the Naze on Sunday teaching Sea Cadets when the lifeboat returned to it's berth - they were fairly knackered having rowed it along the river and then motored it all the way back again by sea!

They were the last boat over the finishing line, & were pretty well beat by the time they got there, I take my hat off to 'em. They may have been last, but they were winners in my book

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by kerny

Nice pics PD glad you all had a great time on the Thames

Yep X2! Glad you Guys had a Good Day...Some 'Back Drop'

[mick]

Great write up PD but you forgot to mention the 2 hours it took TT & me to find the scout camp all because of the bloody Germans leading is astray Oh and the bus ride on sat night



And my daughter ringing jonny up at 2.30 am
But as you say do it again no problem

[mick]

Originally Posted by landlord

Must have been half asleep due to the 4am start and didnt say hi to you guys or Domino or Bouncer !!

Pikey you summed it up well, great day, great way to see the Thames with like minded boaters.

However although the race didn't have any dramas we did get involved with a rescue on the way back in the non tidal part of the Thames ! Had to pull a man and his dog out of the water who had been stuck for about half an hour with water up to his chest whilst holding his 9 stone bull dog ! All ended ok but the RIB was covered in mud and dog hairs !

Well we did say hello sort of

[Crusher]

Great day on the water, I was there and seemed like a great atmosphere, really good to see so many boats and just a little bit busy!!
I bet the air was blue in many clipper cabins wheel house!!

Putney was mayhem for launching and parking, but the usual numpty not aware of the tides was the usual source of amusement!!

[jordan-11]

It was a great day, 1st time for me but certainly enjoyed every minute. Still recovering from lack of sleep!

The early morning cruise upto masthouse pier was pretty special the sight of all the ribs was as good as the London backdrop...

[mick]

Did anyone get a pic of the raft of ribs at the mast house ?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by mick

Did anyone get a pic of the raft of ribs at the mast house ?

Sue might have one on her phone, I'll have a look when she gets in. I never thought

[rocknrolla]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Sue might have one on her phone, I'll have a look when she gets in. I never thought

That dnt look a bad trip P.Diddy looks like u all ad a good crk

[CJL]

Evening all,

Thank you all for joining us out on the River on Saturday. I'm pleased to hear you had a good time and the pictures are looking pretty good as well!!

So thanks once again and hopefully we'll see you on the water again soon.

Many thanks,

Chris

[treerat]

Gutted we couldn't get there this year - with any luck the diary will be kinder next year

[Richardnhunt]

The impact of the GRR is really special. Our sea scouts had 4 youth teams and an adult crew - what they achieved by completing the course is amazing - it gives them real confidence and an amazing test if their seamanship - so on their behalf ;thanks to everyone who helped keep them safe.

Rich