The Skiff Club

The gardens are stunning - at their best! They are looking immaculate and as we had perfect weather they were showing their colours gloriously.

Our thanks go to Dana and her friend Sylvia, who as our two very well-informed and researched guides, took us round revealing all sorts of bits of curious history, showing us illustrations they had collected to demonstrate points, introducing us to chatty gardeners and a couple of times taking us through gate with 'Private' on them to go behind the scenes. For instance we went past the vine through a gate to Barge Walk (did you know that the tract of land opposite is known as Cigarette Island and stopped being an island when the Mole was diverted, that Thames Ditton island was created by Henry 8th as he wanted to straighten the river!), and into the nurseries where vast greenhouses & old cold frames supply Kensington Palace with approx 180,000 bedding out plants each year!

For the first time I really understood where the moat would have been & why the Executive Offices in the House of Easement have a front door into mid air! Dana showed us a pic of the moat full of water when the river flooded in 2001. The front gatehouse was 5 stories high and was reduced to 3 when the top 2 became unsafe. The water gallery looked like the front gatehouse and was where Mary (as in you marry your first cousin Guillamus and refuse to take the throne unless hubby does too) lived while she pulled the rest of the palace apart. They ran out of funds otherwise we wouldn't be able to see any of the Tudor palace today. The water gallery and the Mount garden were levelled to give a view of the river from the Kings apartments & the current grey paint on the railings was chosen to allow the view beyond to be seen more clearly (rather than black which creates a screen). Hampton Court bridge designed by Lutyens was only built early last century and mirrors well the William & Mary South front in style. And many more facts which I'm terrified they're going to test me on!

We had a very enjoyable morning (pix attached) and then lunched in the Tiltyard Cafe and talked of further explorations to Sunbury Millennium Tapestry - if you're interested watch this space as Heather is arranging a date...and I've suggested a trip to my allotment! How exciting can this world get!

We contributed to the Hampton Court funds, bought Dana & Sylvia lunch and made £20 for the Skiff Club.

I thought it would be good to have the first of our Fun Day's this year. Looking at the forecast at the start of the week I thought maybe this might not have been such a good idea but defiantly went on to chivvy up support. Why did I doubt my prediction of it being a glorious Sunday Summer Day as my head, face & other exposed parts will testify for the rest of the week. Luckily I chose to cool off a few times in the river but I'll let the photos tell that story, somebody stop me having daft ideas please!!

It was great to see so many new as well as regular members, bringing their families along too. This year we had a very keen take up on the punting front, with Roger Hughes coming to the rescue to provide expert tuition. Virus racing or should I say bumper cars proved a hotly contested event with newcomers Martin Black & Freddie Ream teaming up to win in their first try in these boats. The morning's activities completed with some trips out in a Canadian Canoe thanks to the loan by Hamish.

Martin Roche again expertly took charge of the traditional BBQ as we turned our noses up at the gas version having found out that the old 45 gallon drum version had been skipped & so bought a new one for our club's use. It's so much more fun eating properly charcoal dusted burgers! Special thanks for all the hard work by Amanda in preparing a lot of the food, her Mum for the magnificent cakes & all those that helped out, not forgetting Bill keeping us well oiled from the bar.

Onto the afternoon, running to the usual impeccable Skiff Club timing, a couple of hours late, we got around to the scratch skiff racing. Split into mixed & gents doubles there seemed to be one common factor in the eventual winners of both categories despite all my devious handicapping, the undisputed daemon coxing by our killer cox, Lillie. She competently steered Roger Hughes/Kim Burridge to the mixed win & Martin Roche/Freddie Ream (that name again!!) in the gents doubles. Congratulations to all out victors & competing crews who put on some excellent racing, some for their first times. The lovely summer sun was enjoyed to the last up on the balcony in Skiff Club style quaffing a cold beer or two bringing a most enjoyable weekend to a close with a few photos to remember the days events by.

I hope you all enjoy the photos whether you were able to come along or not & look forward to seeing many more of you at both regattas & future Fun Days.

Finally, Dittons Skiff & Punting Club (DSPC) have kindly invited any of our new novices to join theirs at their scratch regatta this Wednesday (25th) night 7pm start. If any of you are interested please let me know tomorrow & I'll send you details of how to get there & send your names onto DSPC.

For those of you that went to the Ball On Friday I hope that you all had a marvellous time, as I certainly did.

Thanks to the sub-committee whose hard work undoubtedly was the reason why it was so successful, both in terms of entertainment but also as a fundraiser for the boat fund. The auction of promises itself raised £1,285 so thanks to all of you that donated the promises, Hamish who did such a splendid job as auctioneer & to everyone that dug deep to purchased them.

For those that didn't make it you can at least have a good laugh at some of the photos that were taken, enjoy:

From your Soc Secs

Nicky Painter and Dana Hodshon