Bringing in the Boat

To mark the start of the rowing season, Langstone Cutters holds a little service to Bless the Boats. The vicar of Havant comes round, we sing the world's dirgiest hymn (For Those In Peril), he sprinkles holy water over the boats and we force him to go out rowing in one.

For that purpose, the Mighty Claydon skiff Gladys had to be brought in from her mooring. Usually this is done by two rowers and a cox in one of the Teifis but the weather was lovely and everyone seemed to be busy with stuff so I went out to do it on my own.

Here I am tying the painter onto the thwart and releasing the mooring buoy:

Towing her back was an odd sensation. When coming forward, Lotty slows down but heavy old Gladys comes right on, so half of the next stroke is taken up getting the tow rope tight again - then jerking Gladys forwards.

When I got her safely in I found they were all taking photos to record the disaster they were confidently expecting. Ha!

(Tnanks to Ron Williams for the pics).