Film Work

The BBC came to Langstone yesterday to shoot a clip for a documentary on D-day, planned to go out close to the 70th anniversary in June. They wanted a traditional rowing boat to illustrate just how exposed invaders were in amphibious operations such as Gallipoli in the first war, leading to the development of specialised landing craft for D-day.
The weather forecast had been dire, but when they turned up the clouds dispersed, the sun came out and all was fab. "The BBC forecast is always wrong," cried the BBC cameraman.
The presenter, Ben Cantrememberthename, asked the producer "Shall I row down that way and talk?"
I had to point out that if he did, he would have his back to the camera owing to rowers facing the wrong way.
"Oh, didn't realise that," from the entire crew.

Natural Navigation Mystery

The office buildings round Lloyd's of London tend to be occupied by insurance companies who like to exhibit a bit of nautical swagger even though underwriters rarely go sailing as it is far too dangerous. This very odd-looking sailing ship is one of a series on the facade of a dull block in Fenchurch Avenue.
Question: Is she sailing east or west?

Curry Row

Went up the Hamble in the Solent galley Avery A again last night, with Philip Meakin (on left) coxing from the bow seat. This time, however, we had no paddles so over the narrow, winding last stretch to Botley we had to unship the oars and use them. Very unwieldy.
Nice curry, and returned with a cox (luxury) to get the boat out just as the light was going. It's so lovely being able to get out in the evening.

First and Last Selfie

I've been betrayed by the BBC again. Yesterday, the Beeb weather forecast for this afternoon was a possibility of light rain. Today, it showed sunny spells so out I went in Kittiwake.

About 20min in it started to rain. Not very heavily but enough to allow a therapeutic round of cursing.

The upside, however, was that I was able to test my new wind/showerproof jacket. It has no lining, apart from a mesh, so it should be reasonably cool while keeping the wind and water at bay. And, joy of joys, it cost just SIXTEEN SOVS at Tesco. It worked perfectly hooray hooray.

So here's a selfie of me wearing the jacket and a strange grimace.

Gloriana Returns

The Queen's Row Barge Gloriana is back on the water after her winter hibernation. Today she took HM King George I to his palace at Hampton Court, as part of a season of events about the Hanoverians.
Can't get enough of this. What a great sight.
Also can never resist a snigger at the words 'Hampton Court'. Will I never grow up?

Cornish Skiff

I've been meaning to blog about this for so long I can no longer remember what tipped me off to Steve McColl's Cornish Skiff.
It was designed by Steve's dad Philip 'Murphy' McColl as a boat light enough to be launched and recovered single handed but tough enough to take anything the Cornish coast can dish out (within reason, natch).
She is 12ft long, grp with hardwood trims. The lines look familiar from the local flashboats. More info here.

Evening

Hoorah for daylight saving! Suddenly evening rowing is feasible. Today I went out with the Hamble River Rowers in the Solent galley Avery A, and there was enough light to go all the way up to the Horse and Jockey, have a quick pint of London Pride and get back just as the light was finally going.
As we left, we spotted the Hands' family's new boat, bought to enable them to row double now the children are gradually flying the nest and a full crew for their Bursledon gig Mistress can't be found so often. She was rowed up from Hamble. Chris yelled from his comfortable position on the pub pontoon that she is built to the Mole design by Iain Oughtred. Very pretty and smart.
When we reached the H&J we found barely enough water to reach the top of the brook to their jetty, so neap was the tide. We had to take the rudder off to get the last few yards, and getting on and off the jetty was a perilous operation. I'm surprised no one had to row back sopping wet.