Getting warmed up

My cousin Reet was ambling along Welsh Back last night when he claims to have seen Stu Castle warming up for the October social.

As we all know, Stu has a certain ability throughout the Autumn period for attracting birds, and his early work was clearly demonstrated last night when a seagull hit him squarely on the head - mid-paddle!

Looking forward to the social, to see the full set of skills...

Oh, the sacrifice...!

Imagine my delight as I flicked through my copy of Regatta this week, only to find - a story about my beloved Bristol.

So in I went...

"Off to bordeaux, blah, blah, blah"

"Twinning regatta, international competition, blah, blah, blah"

"Gave up the chance to race at Henley...." !!!

Who are they trying to fool!?!

A Bridge Too Far?

The planning consultation process for Redcliffe identifies TWO new
footbridges over the harbour in Welshback and Temple
Back:

www.askbristol.com/

Look under Current Issues)

For what it might be worth, you can register on this
site & have your say about this!

Do take the survey, and add your comments about the
footbridge idea being BAD (unless you like being
gobbed on / having bricks heaved at you by kids!).

Cheers,

Concerned of CBRC.

BOATHOUSE TIDY UP DAY - Saturday 6th August

Apart from the usual photographs, my inbox has been over run with emails from our Club Captain.

So, if you didn't know before - there is a Clubhouse Maintenance Day this Saturday 6th August, and you are required.

Things kick off at 9.30, when rowing will be stopped.

Please turn up and do your bit, there's plenty to do.

Mens Squad Dinner 2005

We are pleased to announce that "Mr and Mrs Lush will be pleased to accept your cordial inviation to the Mens Squad Dinner 2005."

The fourth annual dinner will be held in the usual venue, Hullaballoo's on Whiteladies Rd, on 15th October. The Pre-Dinner drinks will be held in Henry Africa's where coctails will be compulsory, from 7pm.

The after-dinner antics will follow a similar format to last year, whereby the Men's Captain will be placed in a wheelie-bin outside the restaurant. This will be shortly followed by his departure for home, whilst trying to find his sense of humour!

Please contact "Filthy" Phil Chambers if you wish to attend.

Commando Challenge 2005 - 23rd October

My cousin Randy Lush, who is in the Marines, has asked if we could get a team together for the Commando Challenge.

Coming from the Forest of Dean, the Lush Family have always been used to rolling around in the mud - but now its your chance.

The event is due to take place on 23rd October 2005, over a 7 mile course comprising a 2 mile run, a 3 mile obstacle course and then a 2 mile run. You will have the joy of experiencing such obstacles as "Be Gentle With Me" and "Get Stuck In" (sounds like just another CBRC social!).

http://www.commandochallenge.co.uk/

Entry fees are £10 per person, but you also have to raise £20 per person in sponsorship.

So, if you want to spend a week in October washing the mud out of your hair (apart from Steve), then email russell_dot_crofts at knightfrank dot com.

Swimming World Championships 2005: Part 2

The GB squad have had a tough time of things over the last couple of weeks in Montreal:

http://www.montreal2005.org

So last night, Stu Castle decided he was going to help with the squad's lack of strength in depth ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2006, and went out in a single scull.

Right on cue, at the appropriate distance, he rolled the boat and decided to return to base whilst rehearsing the 50m freestyle!

Recruitment Drive

Well, I've done my bit...

Just another day on the docks

Technique Demonstration

It is a little while since a previous member of the women's squad, who was renowned for her intimacy, joined a well known low-cost airline and disappeared from the water.

But, all is not lost.

My cousin, Reet Lush, tells me that a certain redhead was demonstrating amorous liasons in the middle of the dancefloor at Bewdley regatta last weekend.

The Family Lush approves of such fine work - just don't forget to share the love...

Hopping mad!

Imagine....

You're just coming back from an outing, the boat aligns itself with the pontoon, you get out, and they're gone. Where are your trainers? But you're sure you left them stuck in the wall?

And then the truth unfolds.

Not content with stealing bits of bike from outside the boathouse, our lovely friends "the kids" decided to throw all the trainers into the docks.

Now, ordinarily I would be extremely annoyed about this, but seeing Crusher hopping around in his one remaining trainer was bloody funny!

Thanks

As you know, The Lush is ever present, and I was very impressed with the support for the taster evenings earlier this week.

We had an impressive turn out across the board, plenty of help, and hopefully will have attracted many more to join us when the course starts proper in September/October.

As per usual we had a strong bias towards the females, which prompted the anonymous waterside comment "Steve and Stu should have plenty to play with over the next year!!"

No doubt Stu will show us all his skills during the first social!

However, there is still a task to be undertaken...

We are still short of blokes to join up. This is apparently a national trend, so please have a think about whether you could persuade any of your mates/work colleagues to come and have a go.

From the same anonymous waterside source: "So yes we need to make an appeal for more fit, young men please... otherwise Martina and Rona will have no playthings!"

Girls, Boys - get to work and drag in the new blokes...

What you've all been waiting for.

As previous winner of the Clifton Disco Championships 1996, I was pleased to be included on the mailing list for the most important event to play out in Whiteladies Rd for some time.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the re-opening of Kickers!

Show me you dance moves!

Want to get closer to the action?

Here's your chance to volunteer to help with running the rowing events at Dorney for London 2012.

The real website is here:
pleaseletmekisscracknell.com

Thank God for that!

Mrs Lush tells me that Crusher and Charlie won their Senior 3 event at Bewdley at the weekend.

Now obviously I am very pleased for them...

...and even more pleased that the boat wont get anymore damage this summer!

In celebration "Doug Melvin" has gone off for a little holiday to Dorney to get over his ailments!

It's who you know...

For those of you in the know, the ARA has asked all clubs to label their boats with a registration number (to be phased in over the next few years). As a result, we have been issued with our own pre-fix - "CBR".

It has not yet been decided which boats will be designated with which numbers, but my informants tell me we already have one in the boathouse.

Apparently the owner of a new, privately owned(!) scull has been labelled with the elite and prestigious registration - CBR001.

I wonder who that belongs to?!?!

Super sculler!

You've seen him... the one in the headband.

No-one knows if he has been accidentally transported back from a 1970's US basketball team, or if he is in fancydress...

However, he can scull.

"Headband Man" showed us all the way as he won finals on both Saturday and Sunday at Bewdley.

From Novice to Senior 3 in one weekend? Surely only the work of a superhero?

Sponsored by LadyShave

Ladies,

Ever sat on the startline, taken a sideway glance at the oppo, and thought "Bloody Hell, look at the size of her"...?

Well, have a look at this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4681285.stm


Blimey!

BIRC05 - "Heaven on an Erg"

For those of you who feel like you want to go to Birmingham to beast yourselves, entries are now open for the British Indoor Rowing Championship 2005.

It is due to take place on 20th November.

You can enter here:

http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/

L2R 2005 - Taster Evenings

Hopefully you will all know that we are running two "taster evenings" next week, in an attempt to sort the wheat from the chaff ahead of L2R 2005.

We are expecting up to 80 people over Tuesday (26th) and Wednesday (27th) evenings, and need some help to run it.

Please contact Caroline if you can make it.

Please be aware that normal rowing with be suspended on these nights.

France Part Deux: Start line preparations...

As the UK's finest elite athletes prepare for their first race, it is clear that opposition ought to be very scared!

Link

France Part Deux: Do you do extras?

Crusher looked on with disappointment as the "extras" Charlie asked for were not exactly what he had in mind...


Link

France Part Deux: Should have gone to SpecSavers...

It would appear the vin rouge were affecting Dr Jones rather more than we thought.


Link

Harbour Festival 2005

It is time for the annual bun-fight that is the Bristol Harbour Festival. The organisers are very excited, and say...

"This year will see the largest flotilla of ships yet. There will be navy ships, lifeboats and approximately 250 boats of all shapes and sizes."

Those of you who are not off to Bewdley, please watch out for all those numpties who haven't got a clue what a speed limit is, or how difficult it is to steer our boats!

Fat Matt's Top Tips

If Confucius had been around during rowing outings he would have said, "10 gentle strokes are faster than 9 hard ones and 1 crab!"

Inspired...

Nice racing kit!

In an effort to fully research all areas of "racing advantage", one of CBRC's coaches has found a new-style, aerodynamic all-in-one.

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album03&id=P7170088

We look forward to seeing the novice women looking lovely in green!

Do you know this man?

This man was recently caught by a long-lens spy photographer, in the Reading area:

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album03&id=P6110062

I think it's time for a caption competition...

View from the outside world

You might be used to prancing about in it, but normal people find it more than a little disturbing...!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A137666

Bewdley Regatta: 23rd-24th July

If you would like Rob to enter your on-form crew, then get the details over to him by 5pm Thursday.

Fill your boots with the best pots on the tour!

World Championship Bog Triathlon

Unlikely though it may sound - we have a Bog Triathlete amongst us.

Marcus (part-time coach to Rona's crew) competed in the inaugral World Bog Triathlon at the weekend which involved a 10m run, 18m cycle and a 120 metre swim in 2 of Wales's finest bogs.

He has now been crowned World Bog Triathlon Silver medalist.

Smelly...

And the cupboard was bare...

As the reports were coming in thick and fast on Sunday afternoon, I thought Bristol were in for another annual pot haul in Cardiff. All the crews had made their respective finals, the sun was out, and we were looking good.

But it looks like Saturday night's dancefloor antics proved to have taken their toll.

Congrats to all who got their finals - better luck at Bewdley(?). They've got better pots anyway...

Do you want to come back to mine?

Whilst Mrs Lush and I were trying to get some shut-eye on Saturday night at LLandaff we were kept awake by some mysterious noises.

On investigation, the highly repetitive creeking noises appeared to be coming from a Port-A-Loo?

Either the pump flush was being seriously over-worked - or there was some less than classy loving going on!

I'm confident it didn't include a CBRC member - the rating was far too high...

France: Crusher for Mayor

After the ferrero rocher and several glasses of vin rouge at the ambassadorial reception, it was suggested that the Mayor of Bristol might like to make a speech. In true English fashion he failed to speak French, and merely shouted in English to ensure complete understanding.

Would CBRC be guilty of such philistine behaviour? Oh no - step forward Crusher, who launched into his Thank You speech with a command of the French language that would have emabarassed Jaques Chirac, and the passion of Gwyneth Paltrow at the Oscars.

"Crusher for Mayor, Crusher for Mayor"!

France: L' Ambassador D' amour

My French cousin, Bertrand (or Bert), has been telling me about a bit of potential "amour" following the recent visit.

I have been asked to keep the names confidential to protect the parties involved, so let's just call them Neil and Marina?

With more than just a guiding hand to show him the way around France, I hear that Neil will be repaying the compliment when Marina visits Bristol later this month.

As they say en france "Vas-y, mon pote"
(trans: Go on my son!)

France: My kind of Veggie

On their recent trip to Bordeaux, the "Twinning Crew" were not shy in trying out a few of France's famous culinary delights.

In fact Dr Jones was so excited he threw away all his vegetarian principles and got stuck straight into the pate. No one had told him it was made from Foie Gras.

Hmmm, I can almost taste the Goose now!

HRR: Lost anything?

Back at Lush Manor, one of the the male members of the CBRC Henley Viewing Contingent had asked the butler to unpack his bag for him, prior to laundering.

Imagine the butler's surprise as he pulled a single black brassiere from the luggage. Vehement denials were issued immediately, so I have taken it upon myself to find the owner.

A Cinderella-style sizing process will begin straightaway, unless anyone would like to step forward?

HRR: Pink Passion

The Lush's Love Radar started to twitch late on Friday night, as those who had taken up position in the Bud Bar started to feel the effects of an all-dayer.

The radar picked up some amorous goings-on between one of our Novice Ladies and a random member of the rowing community, who claimed to be rowing for the infamous Pink Club.

Well, I was so pleased with the news that Bristol was aligning itself with a new level of high performance rower that I started to scour the results to see which Leander crew had been knocked out on Friday, and therefore might be enjoying a beer or two.

I'm still looking...

HRR: Big black puddles

After a frenzied attack on the British establishment that is Pimms, it would appear that the coxless 4's three man got a little lost in his accommodation on Wednesday night.

If only the puddles he leaves in the water were as big as the one next to his bed on Thursday morning!

HRR: Bristol hit the headlines!

Following an eventful start to Henley Royal Regatta last week, Mrs Lush was quick to point out that our boys had made the National Press...

The Times - 30 June
"CITY OF BRISTOL’S Henley experience lasted less than a minute in the Wyfold Challenge Cup coxless fours against Henley at the Royal Regatta yesterday when their steering caused disqualification after 22 strokes."

The Independent - 30 June
"BRISTOL TAKES EARLY BATH."

Heat Magazine - 30 June
"EXCLUSIVE: Perma-Tan Sam (The bow man) has had an all over spray on tan, and the stroke man appears to be wearing something in his hair.

NEXT WEEK: International Loving hits Temple Island with John Wastnage"

Coachie exercise programme

With the ever increasing cost of launch fuel, Gurt has spotted an environmentally-friendly alternative that allows coachie some exercise too:

http://www.gizmag.co.uk/picture.php?s=32&p=2505_06.jpg

Llandaff Pot Hunting Frenzy

If you wish to compete at Llandaff, please send your completed ARA forms by e-mail to Rob Parker by close of play tomorrow.

And remember to hold it up hard after the finish before you go over the wier, and crash into their array of burnt out cars!

Ironbridge - Bristols on Show!

You know who you are, and frankly, you should be congratulated!

Looking forward to Llandaff...

Ironbridge - Revenge is sweet!

My Lush bits have picked up that the all new grudge match last weekend was our novice girlies versus Grosvenor.

Saturday saw a first round dead heat, pitching Lucy, Emma D, Toni and Kate into the season's first re-row. Unfortunately, they'd put too much into the first effort to win second time out.

Not so on Sunday! Some Pimms, a couple of lagers and the odd gin and tonic on saturday night powered the girls to their first victory, and the scalp of Grosvenor.

Good work.

Pill Regatta

Pill regatta is on the 2nd of July and Brian is keen to enter a crew. It's fixed seat racing over a short course followed by several hours in the beer tent. Brian has even offered to dig out his old lycra and take part...

All those interested please contact Brian.

CBRC's New Event!

The Lush is pleased to announce that we have been granted permission to add another event to our 2005 calendar.

The CBRC Corporate Regatta will take place on the docks on 8th October 2005.

We therefore need YOU to help with the fun....

The idea is simple.

We will invite 8 non-rowing crews to take part in a mini-regatta following 1 months basic training from club members. Each crew will comprise 1 experienced rower, 3 inexperienced rowers (of which at least one must be female) and an experienced cox.

We therefore need 16 club members who would be prepared to help out for 8 outings and a morning's racing.

Crews will be permitted to go out twice a week (1x mid-week, 1x weekend) over the course of four weeks, and then the regatta will take place.

Please email Steve Bathurst sb007q7979@blueyonder.co.uk if you would like to take part.

Need any advice?

Thanks to a tip off from your friend and mine - the slug, we have a new "remote coach", who will be offering Top Tips on a weekly basis:

http://www.corporateregatta.co.uk/matt_tips.htm

The Lush's Top Tip?

Better print this off for your trip to Bordeaux, boys!

First Class Travel

I have seen a few old faces on the water recently. With an impending trip for TEAM:Bordeaux they appear to be getting a little practice in.

They thought the tour would be red wine all the way, and a little croque monsieur at the end of the evening - but I've seen the itinery.

Only Tony Blair will be doing more schmoozing that weekend, now that the list of receptions our boys have to attend has gone off the scale. A little twinning here, dancing with the mayor's wife there. No doubt the "ambassador will be really spoiling us"...

Word from the LUSH:travel reserchers have revealed our great athletes will be travelling FlyBe. We've checked our brochures, and they'll be doing it in luxury:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1055000/images/_1059014_conc_fire_150.jpg

CBRC adds to its history

The Chariman has confirmed that the inclusion by the HRR comittee of our Mens Coxless Four represents the first time any CBRC crew has pre-qualified.

Well done lads.

Women's Henley - The After Show Event

With the rowing out of the way - the Pims arrived!

Clearly our seasoned skipper was leading from the front, and belting down the pints in an effort to get her 5 portions of fruit a day. Needless to say, having jacked up the rate, the easy-oar came all too soon. The tactical chunder wasn't oringinally part of the race plan - but served her well.

Not so Miss Tipping...

Rumour has it the carefully trimmed bushes (!?!) of Henley have been visited by said oarswomen in an unscheduled stop. We're not sure if she was full of Pims or full of fruit - but the effect was the same.

Good effort girls!

Women's Henley Round-Up

Now, ordinarily the stories flow freely in my direction, but the ladies seem to have taken a little while to get over the weekend...

However, my Remenham based informants tell me that the 8 had "the race of the day" on Friday morning. Long time opponents Birmingham Uni took a severe punishing off the line, and again in the middle of the race. But in the end age defeated beauty as the young'uns made the line first.

Despite this, the girls were bouyed by their outstanding showing until a certain over-eager supporter decided to question what the saftey launch driver did in his spare time by using previously unseen hand gestures!

I also hear that the four showed well against the Reading Uni crew - but was on the wrong end of the result. Shame.

A big congrats to you all for your efforts, and I have been asked to give special mentions to the coxes - Katie and Tasha - and of course the long-suffering captain - Jane.

French lessons...

Rumour has it that the Bordeaux crew have been taking some fashion tips from Crusher's recent trip to Twickenham.

Charlie looks good in the beret...

http://www.islandentertainmentsonline.com/acatalog/french%20man.jpg

Marlow Regatta - 18th June

Final reminder to all those who think they might like a crack at this. Please contact Rob Parker by lunchtime today with your entires.

BBC confirm suspicions...

This will come as no surprise to many of you, but BBC investigators have at last answered that long, lingering question of doubt that has been at the back of your mind:

http://russell_Crofts.isagaylord.com/

New Arrival

Message from our Chairman...

"I'm happy to be able to say that Halina Rose Barton
was born last night at 9.36 PM weighing 6 lbs. 9 oz.,
Mother & daughter both perfect"

Congratulations to all three of you from all of us!

Proposed kit changes

Snuffling about the inner annals of our governing body, I've just got wind of some controversial new rules for rowing kit - to be enforced from next year.
Take a look at the prototypes:

http://www.rowingnz.org.nz/rgmaadi/d7amalbum/slides/DSC00618.JPG

Reading Entries

Today is the last day for Reading Regatta Entries.

They remain in the dark ages, and entries can only be posted.

Please get your forms to Rob today.

Ta

"That reminds me..."

As a man who likes to keep abreast of most ongoings in the world of commerce, I have heard that there has been a rather unusual increase in demand for watermellons in the Monmouth area.

Rumour has it some local restauranteurs were busy serving customers on Saturday night when they were reminded to place an order after two large round things were pressed up against their window...

They've asked me to thank Liz Gregg for the reminder!

Fashion Police

I hear there is a disturbing trend creeping into the mens squad.

Saturday morning in Wallingford saw the emergence of the "socks and sandals" brigade - to cries of shock and horror all across Oxfordshire.

"Perma-tan" Sam (Bailey) can take the credit for kicking off the new trend with a grey/black combo which looked "divine" in the summer sun. But not to be outdone, Pete "Delmonte" Watson raised the stakes.

Picture this - sandals, white socks, white linen trousers and a white shirt.

He's soooo this season daaarling.

Metropolitan@Dorney

For those wishing to enter the fray, please ensure all crew and entry details are with Rob Parker by the end of Thursday.

Happy racing!

THANK YOU

I have been asked by the Club Captain and Chairman to thank all those who attended the maintence day on Saturday for the their efforts.

It appears to have been a day of hard graft - even if a couple of the mens squad were guilty of assuming the "foreman" role!

Now keep it tidy!

The Shortest Outing in the World.... Ever?

Congratulations to Mr Stuart Castle for his valiant efforts on Sunday morning, following a night to remember - or for him - to forget.

His failure to master a "lie detector" at a little after-pub gathering on Saturday night, saw him consume a large variety of eastern european spirits.

The results were there for all to see on Sunday morning, as his crew members refused to go out for more than 20 minutes! They returned claiming breathing difficulties brought on by a cloud of fumes following them.

Another fine example of peak performance from a CBRC athelete!

Your Club Needs You...

Don't forget, tomorrow is Club Maintenance Day, so please come armed and ready to get stuck in after your outing in the morning.

Pete and Phil have a whole host of jobs that need doing, and have already allocated some of the jobs.

So no running off to Glorias!

Every home should have one...

Come on girls, bid hard or the men's squad will be forced to do one!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72564&item=5199415897&rd=1

Monmouth Entries

The deadline for entries to compete at Monmouth Regatta (next weekend)is midday, Friday 20th May.

Please ensure that Rob Parker has crew details and ARA numbers if you want to race.

Sir Steven Cheese, Lord of Cheddar

Enter this competition for a chance to win a copy of "You can Win at Life":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/4539759.stm

Hmmm...!

Having your strudel and eating it.

Recent trailer park chat has highlighted a new cassanova amongst our midst ... John Wastnage was not only found chatting to the fairer sex twice (!) whilst his crew were loading the trailer/ assembling the boat, but was also in a hurry to return to his home town for some Sunday night luvvin'...
Rumour has it that John spent last night in a little "tete a tete" with a Danish catwalk model. The Lush has heard she was last seen on the catwalk at the 2005 Danish Metal Workers Convention, modelling a full welding mask!

Cor Blimey Guv!

I have had a full round up of the weekend's action from the concrete wasteland that is Docklands Regatta set in the East end of London.

In a shock to all attending, the tornado that was predicted never arrived - and all returned a finer shade of rouge, after some bright weather.
I was proud to hear that the pinnacle of Bristol rowing used every opportunity to psyche out the opposition. During the "wind" phase of the first warm up Scotty caught the largest of boat stoppers. The ensuing tsunami was followed with the words "at least I've got that out of the way"! The opposition looked on in fear....
One of our crews went on to earn themselves some metalwear with a bronze in Saturday's S2 coxless fours, whilst the other crew was too busy untangling itself from the safety launch to bother with the rostrum!
The results are here: http://www.mikrotime.co.uk/rowing/row2005/ldr05.html

He did go to SpecSavers...

Rog, on the other hand, steered through the chicane of obstacles like Nigel Mansell...
So once clear of the tunnels, he came face to face with some canoers who were (as usual) miles off course. Cue "Crusher" for some enforcement work.
With a swift and deft application of "speed around the turn", a blade was applied to aforementioned canoeist, who was neatly flipped into the drink.
He was last seen climbing up the dredger, swearing (for some reason) in German.

You can always rely on Crusher to help out with the celebrations on VE Day!

Should've gone to SpecSavers!

Now I know he is going slightly grey, and that his 2k times aren't what they once were, but I was pretty sure Scotty's eyesight was OK.
Not so, it would seem, as he launched his scull into a 12' wide floating railway sleeper which was supporting 2 large yellow signs signifying a closed river!
All credit to the old man - he managed to keep it upright!

Crackers!

Treading the hallowed halls of The Pink Club at the weekend, Gurt found CBRC Women's squad behaving like a bunch of giggling excited school girls outside the gym. Whatever could have reduced such dedicated, hardened rowers to a state of near delirium? Of course! The rowing god himself was in the gym.
Result - lots of swooning starstruck Bristol girls and one slightly bemused but lovely James Cracknell!

Can I borrow your Cosmo, darling?

The Lush was a little worried during Saturday's lunch at Leander.
Sat amidst the mens squad, I was concerned that the effect of having a female coach was rubbing off on the squad...
Scotty:" So how do you cook lentils?"
John: " Oh, I often fry them in butter, with garlic, maybe some fresh parsley" etc, etc
Scotty: "You must let me have the recipe, that sounds divine"
Oh my god!
Hand cream anyone?

Lance Armstrong would be proud...

My towpath spies tell me that during the recent Leander-based CBRC training camp, the men's coach had a little steering issue while on her bike.
Word has it that Coach was firmly in the tuck position, in order to keep up with her charges, when drama struck. One minute she's pedalling her heart out, the next she's having a little rest on the tarmac.... Ouch!
A bumped forehead, and a grazed knee and chin later, she was back - shouting at the boys and dishing it out harder than ever!
A little early for 'crash of the year' but a sure contender.

While the cat's away...

Whilst prowling through the club house over the last week, I was really pleased to hear that the women's squad have been putting in the hours to ensure a good showing at Training Camp.
Tuesday's hardest working four were last seen on they're way to the pub, because it was "raining too hard"! They must have been worried they'd get wet...?

They were, however, run a close second by a crew that were overheard saying "Christi and Jane aren't down tonight, so we can have an easy outing".

You know who you are, but you'd better run and hide because so does your skipper!!!

8.9 - 8.8 - 8.9 - 9.0

The signs looked ominous.... It is no coincidence that David and Goliath never paddled a pair, but despite this heavenly guidance "Little and Large" were attempting to defy the laws of physics last night.
Now, no-one ever doubted Crusher and Charlie's ability to get themselves from one end of the docks to the other. However, what Charlie didn't know was that Crusher is no stranger to swimming!
Needless to say, they covered a distance of at least 3 feet from the pontoon before rolling over to have their bellies tickled. Full marks to both for waiting until they had a proper judging panel containing all of the womens and most of the mens senior squads!

Next time - "The running bomb"!

Kickers R.I.P.

I don't know how to break it to you...but Gurt is sorry to have to announce that Kickers is apparently being closed in 7 weeks to be developed into a modern trendy nightclub.
Kiss goodbye to Abba, Wham and Dexy's Midnight Runners. They'll be no more glass on the sticky floor, no more grannies to snog, and no more opportunities to turn up to rowing on a saturday morning wearing the Kickers Tshirt that you earned the night before for your dancefloor moves (he knows who he is....!).
I will be circulating the date for the closing party!

Veteran's night out

Crusher and Steve are celebrating their birthdays this Saturday (combined age 346), and all are invited to join them.
Proposed running order:
6.30 - Wagamama, Queens Rd
7.30 - Park Bar, Triangle West
9.30 - Slippers, Cocoa and bed for the Birthday Boys
11.00 - La Rocca
2.30 - Kebabs!
The Lush will be ever-present... You have been warned!

Stroke a fine pair?

In my experiences trying to woo Mrs Lush, I found out how difficult it can be to draw the "moth to the flame"...
So I was pleased to hear that an alternative approach had been taken by the men's skipper in recent weeks. No doubt he had already tried such lines as:
a) Fancy a trip to the cinema?
b) Would you like to pop out for a drink?
c) Let me take you out for a kebab? etc etc
So when all else had failed, he struck gold with the suggestion "Fancy going out in a pair?" Three "dates" in three days...!?! The Lush salutes you!

Lady, boy!

Which of our gorgeous Lady oarswomen was dissuaded from her first choice of party frock by comparisons with shoulders of dubious sexuality?

Gurt is bound to secrecy....

Nag, nag, nag

For the attached male readers of the Lush you will be used to the nagging often received from the other half. However -
Steve, the unlucky singleton, managed to warrant a bit of a nag from three different women due to the state - or lack - of his love life. After following a certain young lady around like a lost sheep for most of the evening perhaps a bit of nagging would sort him out?
The Lush was unable to ascertain if the nagging worked…. Or whether he just fobbed them off!

All the action

Here's the first set of photos, courtesy of Jimmy:

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

Novice action!

We were all feeling the love as CBRC opened the conduit of amorous advances again on Friday...
So lovely to see to Jo & James on the sofa of love.
Don't think you got away with that one!

Marital re-action

Last seen at 5am in George's front room - the spot light is on you Crusher.

Rumour has it that Mrs Downey has locked him away following his return in broad daylight on Saturday morning.

Has anyone seen him yet?

Missing in action...

... 1 x Novice of the Year Blade
But were you going to tell anyone Dom?!

And you thought you had timing problems?

Paddle on 15,17,19,21,23 - backing down 2,4,6,8,10 .... GO!

http://www.my-boathouse.com/bilder/bestof/24er-1gross.jpg

"I'll try the cuddling thing too...!"

The Skipper then tried the cuddling approach. Didn't quite time it properly, did we?:

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Picture_028

Go on, let me have a seat for Henley...

Dancing Boy Young decided to take a breather from his place on the London RC podium of choice, to make sure he had a seat reserved for the end of June...

"Go on coach, pleeeease..."

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Picture_032


"Oh, go on. I promise I'll cuddle you all night!"

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Picture_031

Caught you looking!

As ever, CBRC brought out it's finest fillies for the evening's festivities.
The Men's Captain is to be commended for the attention he has paid to the squad all year, but it would appear one particular lady required a closer inspection.

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Picture_022

Oldest swinger in town...

After a quick thrash down the Thames, CBRC are never to be underestimated in the fashion stakes.
Cue Crusher in his pre-Twickenham warm up routine:

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=HORR05&id=Picture_014

HORR ing about

An uncustomary number of red faces were to be seen amongst our Men's Squad this weekend.... but not due to their racing!
The weather was more like regatta season in Putney on Saturday, and there was plenty of pinkness to prove it. A number of the crew members returned to shore a slighlty different colour, but the best comedy sunburn goes to Alice "streetboy" Cawthorne... After a morning wearing has baseball cap backwards (allegedly to keep his locks out of his eyes), his forehead acquired a rather fetching semi-circle of rouge, and a nice white band!

http://cbrcrowing.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=Picture_029

Oooh!, Young Man....

Whilest sharing a nice cup of coffee over breakfast with Mrs Lush on Sunday morning, imagine my surprise to find a full page on our beloved sport in the sports section of the Bristol Evening Post - The Green'un.
I was drawn to the piece about "Hall and Downey", aka the Nottingham Bathing Couple (see earlier posting). Now, we are proud of our Learn2Row course, and all those that go through it - but anyone would think we are running an old people's home:
..."I am particularly pleased with the progress I have made over the last 18 months, especially for a man of my age"...
Step forward Mr "Crusher" Downey for your goodie bag of Cod Liver Oil, pipe and slippers.

Who drives you on?

Whilest battling through the last few weeks of a particularly cold winter, I hear that our coxes have been coming up with even more novel ways of encouraging crews...

It is rumoured that the novice women used the paddle up to the start of Gloucester Head this weekend to discuss who were the best looking men in the CBRC squads. The top contenders were then allocated a number of strokes for each push during the race - dependent upon their desirability.

No-one knows who was "the push for 10", but I hear that the Men's Skipper was the "Easy Oar"!

Italian Job

Yet another nominee for Crash of the Year has reared its ugly head this morning.

One of the senior mens crews had been watching a few too many videos, and for this morning's outing decided to rig a four to emulate the Italian international crew.

"Tell you what, whilst we are at it we could make this really difficult, and try and steer from 2, just like the Abbagnale Brothers?"

Needless to say, they forgot that Americans are used to driving on the other side of the road, and put one in charge of the steering.

City of Bristol is pleased to be the new owner of another set of bent riggers....

A true triumph of ambition over ability!

Tub single

Spotted out on the docks yesterday, City's secret weapon to win the 'Diamonds' at Henley :-


http://rudern.esv-lingen.de/images/egal/egal_08.jpg

Carnage

http://www.livejournal.com/~berrimar/302.html
At least our girls only managed to wreck a trailer, two fins and a rudder....

All new camera with 'Drink-O-Vision'

This morning I have been sent the results of product testing for a brand new camera.
The product aims to replicate the exact nature of the vision of the subject contained within the photo. As you will be able to see, the results from the lab indicate that the test was successful, and that the subject had a great 30th Birthday!

http://moblog.umtstrial.co.uk/pics/44602085.jpg

Happy Birthday Coach!

Lush Awards 2005

This year I am very pleased to nominate someone to speak on my behalf at the Annual Club Ball (I am very shy, you know?).

As ever I am looking for nominations for:

Novice of the Year
Club Person of the Year
Crash of the Year
Romance of the Year
Coxing Call of the Year
Fashion Item of the Year

In addition to these awards, I am still keen for your titbits of gossip - especially anything that might be better saved until the night of the Ball... please send to:

gurt_lush_blog at hotmail dot co dot uk (yes, not .com)

Congrats!

The Lush is both pleased and proud to announce the recent engagement of long term club cornerstone, Brian Stephens, to his young lady, Nesta.
Apparently "Romeo" Stephens was not the one on bended knee... probably due to not being able to get past half slide since 1986! Many congratulations to you both.

Worcester Sauce

'Our' novice girlies have been keeping their recent victory at Worcester HORR quiet, or maybe they didn't know (after all, they did leave before their medals were given out)!

Mine's a double - with ice...

For all you complaining about the recent cold snap here:

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2005/03/01/1109738871_2260.jpg

Sex on the beach....

After a successful day down on the docks running the regatta the club descended on Henry Africa's for a night on the cocktails....
Much fun was had by all - a slippery nipple (or 16?) for Steve from the LTR ladies 8, a round of sambucas for the 'engine room' of the first 8 and a flat liner for Stu after his hard work over the last few weeks... to name but a few .
After eventually being thrown out of the bar a small selection of people were ready to move on elsewhere. A certain red-faced young(ish) man thought his luck might in when an unknown lady decided she might like to go back to his place. Obligingly, he agreed and led her back to his lair....
Unfortunately the lush had to go home at that point, well as they say - two's company, three's a crowd!
The lush will be taking suggestions as to who this young lady might be... and to any other titbits of gossip (the lush has many ears, but can't be everywhere!)
Answers on a post card...

gurt_lush_blog at hotmail dot co dot uk

Would I lie to you?

I happened to overhear the Men's 1st VIII de-brief following their race on
Sunday, and it turns out their cox has been using a new form of encouragement - "honesty""
This quote was passed to me -
"Lock and drive, good, and lets go for the push for 20...
Good, that's taken 2 lengths out of the crew in front - I'm not sh*tting you, honestly!"

It obviously worked.