New pilot gig hits the water

I've always wondered exactly what Samuel Pepys meant by 'betimes', as in 'Up betimes to the Duke of Albemarle'. If he meant 'at half past five in the bloody morning', I was up betimes to Hayling Island today, to join Reivers12 in their new pilot gig.
The gig is a stunning creation in bright yellow plastic with orange interior, and the Reivers will row her from London to Paris and back next month. She is fitted with holes for the traditional thole pins, but the Reivers are wisely using crutches instead.
We took her out under a cloudless sky and she rowed very nicely indeed, though the oars are clearly a bit short. A new set is on the way, apparently.

Bonkers

I have finally had to admit I am addicted. I went out at the crack of dawn this morning to help get Langstone Cutters' Solent galley Bembridge ready for a visiting club to train on (they are rowing from London to Paris and back again, bless their little cotton socks) and of course they had a spare seat and of course I went out with them. Admittedly I coxed for a while so I didn't row the whole 8 miles but it was a good trip.

When we got back Langstone Cutters were setting out for a Saturday row in Mabel and Millie. I had signed up but was given the perfect excuse for going home because without me they could all squeeze into one boat instead of taking two. Of course I went anyway.
So I rowed 18 miles today and I am cream crackered. If you can't understand that expression, google it because I am too tired to bother explaining. Bed now.