Meander 2007

I joined the Meander on Saturday evening at Pangbourne. We stayed at the George and spent a jolly evening in the Swan where Heather helped Gordon Dear to celebrate his birthday with the aid of two oranges as breast enhancers (see pics). We subsequently discovered that his birthday was on Sunday....

After emptying several gallons of rain-water out of each Skiff we left on Sunday around 0830. It rained non-stop all the way to Maidenhead - only punctuated by a pleasant lunch stop at the Flower Pot just below Hambleden Lock (it has a landing stage and slipway and is only a short walk from the river). We arrived after food time so the landlady had kindly prepared large platters of sandwiches and bowls of chips. There were two open fires which were handy for warming up our bodies and drying items of clothing! We finally arrived at Maidenhead around 2015. Dave Tappin got very cold due to wearing (below the waist) nothing but a pair of revealing black lycra shorts. He was sent to his room as a punishment - followed by Heather a few minutes later shouting 'Where is Dave's room - I'm a first aider and need to get into bed with him to warm him up'. Dave made a miracle recovery and we all a pleasant evening in the hotel (no-one wanted any more rain!!). Monday morning dawned cold, damp, very windy and with a strong current. A vote was taken to establish the most fool-hardy amongst us. They filled three skiffs and departed at a frightening pace and uncertain direction. The rest of us pulled the other two skiffs out of the water and made our way thankfully home!

From the off I thought what a lovely way to spend the day sitting in the back of a skiff wandering down the river.The wonderful scenery and not having to do to much hard work. Gordon Dear and young Richard insisted they would do all the paddling (Fine).I was interested in the many old bridges and the friendly folk on the upper reaches.Passing a canal boat I spotted a lady in a window and I asked her to "Put the Kettle on" and on cue she had it in her hand.The stream was running faster than usual because of rain we had on previous days making it difficult at some spots to moor up.As we are experienced river folk we handled it OK.On arrival at Oxford it was into the YHA then to the pub for a pint or 3.The YHA was excellent value.The following day Saturday 26th May we left Oxford early to miss competing in the Oxford May Bumps races.The day was a little overcast but warm we were heading for Pangbourne our next over night stop.Along this stretch I was teamed up with Kim and Mary.Again I somehow was in the coxing position.On one section, a fellow on the bank cooking a BBQ gave me a thumbs up and I replied "I believe in equality"(the gals were doing the work).We arrived in Pangbourne just as it started to pour with rain.A jolly evening was had by all.Sunday we were confronted with steady rain.The day was quite miserable,Temperature was at 8c and we were getting pretty wet.Our next stop was Maidenhead Rowing Club.We did had the odd reprieve from the rain.The Henley stop was at the Flower Pot pub for lunch.It was well organised by our very social sec Nicky Painter(well done).At Cookham Lock I had to have a break from paddling and coxed thru to Maidenhead.I got so cold that when I got out of the boat I was shaking with mild Hypothermia and was rushed to the Hotel for a hot shower. Another jolly evening was had by all.The last day (still raining)we decided to leave 2 boats at the rowing club.The younger more robust members went on to Teddington.We picked the remaining boats the following weekend and would you believe it, that Saturday was blazing HOT?.A good time was had by all,I am sure. Cheers Dave T

Attached are 5 photos from the stretch of Lechlade to Oxford. All I can say is that I definitely consumed more calories then a burned off!!