And then she was gone

I think that everyone present at Julia's going away party had themselves a jolly good time. Now that she is safely up in Nottingham, here are a few photo's from the night!

There was drinking......
Dancing.....
Some mutual appreciation - especially by Jimmy!
Many successful attempts of the La Rocca Challenge....
Lots of dancing - so much that it started getting a little sweaty....
Which resulted in Nakedness (and more appreciation by Jimmy!)

HRR Result.....

Not good news to report today I am afraid to say - with a 1st round loss to tideway scullers by 1 and a quarter lengths in a time of 7.40

The unlucky Henley experience for CBRC continues!

HRR draw....

Luck does not appear to be smiling on CBRC in Henley this year, with the Men getting a tough draw in the Thames Challenge cup, which sees them up against the seeded Tideway Scullers' crew in the first round.

The full draw is available here

1st race 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday)

Qualification (with results)

Today is qualification day for Henley Royal Regatta.......

Good luck to all the boys in the 2nd eight racing today for a go at the real thing. Racing starts at 4pm with the 8's off at 6.30.

Will update when I hear any news.

Full results here....

Last orders..

Time has unfortunately been called on Miss Maunders time at CBRC, as she heads up towards the middle of the country to swap her rowing oar, for a kayaking paddle in Nottingham as part of the GB Kayak squad.

She will be leaving us this weekend, but not before one last visit to her favourite club in Bristol. Yes, that's right - LaRocca her she comes.... I hope they have got a good supply of straws!

Meeting in Baroque at 8:30, then heading over the road some time after that! So come on out and say one last goodbye to Jules in the place where she become known as the red squirrel...

And here are a few photo's from some of her previous visits to remind you!

If you have any other embarrassing/incriminating photo's of Julia in LaRocca, then email them over, and I will put them on! (if you can't embarrass her when she is leaving, then when can you!)

Henley Royal

With two eights entered this year (probably on one the biggest CBRC entry for quite a long time) hopes are high for the men this year round.

Good news coming through is that the 1st eight have pre-qualified, which should make their draw slightly easier. The 2nd eight are going to have to go through qualifying, and are racing for 7 places out of 20, so are looking at a tough race on Friday.

Women's Henley

The weather was not really playing ball at the weekend, with some heavy storms making the going underfoot VERY muddy indeed, and resulting in all the trailers getting stuck in the trailer park!

As far as the Bristol results went, it was not good reading. The 4, despite one of their better rows (but several inches of rain in the boat) lost out by five seconds in their qualifying race. The 8 had a good qualification race, but then got a tough draw against Edinburgh and despite having the fastest time in their heat (up to 35s faster that some heats!) went out in the 1st round - Just going to show the harshness of knockout racing!

The only 'crew' to get to race on Saturday was CBRC's very own 'pocket rocket' Jane Green, who again had a tough draw against a GB trialist and went out in her first race in the Senior Lwt 1x - not bad considering she has only been sculling for a few months!

Henley, Henley

Henley (in one guise or another) is the word of the week this week, with the Girls having a go down the famous course (well most of it anyway) this weekend - starting tomorrow, and the boys in a few weeks time!

All the action, and the results from this can be found from the website, which should post the results as they come though!

Good luck to all the Ladies rowing this weekend. Make sure you keep up to date with the intermediate 4's and 8's (qualification races Friday morning), and not forgetting Miss Green in the senior Lightweight 1x! (1st race at 1.38 on Saturday!)

And then it is time for Henley proper, sorry Henley Royal! Qualification is next Friday, and the entries are online so you can measure up your opposition!

I make it PIMMS o'clock!

Elizabeth Beever

In a move from the normal blogs, I have to report the very sad news in that Rob Beever's sister, Elizabeth, was tragically killed in a train crash in Sardinia at the weekend.

The thoughts of the whole club go to Rob and his Family though this tough time.

In memory of Elizabeth, and in Rob's absence, the Men's 1st 8 raced at Reading with a black band around their all-in-one, and card was signed by all those present at Reading over the weekend.

2x4 or 1x8

Some interesting crew selections are going in the men's GB squad, with the top 4- being joined by another four members, and racing in an eight, against the squad 8!!!

Should be interesting to see which one comes out on top?!?!

yet more reasons for cider!

Yet more reasons why cider is a great drink.

Not only does it taste good on warm summer days (not including girly Magners on ice!), full of vitamin C, good for you, gets me really pi$$ed and makes me do silly stuff!

But now I can swim in a nice warm swimming pool safe in the knowledge that my ice cold cider has warmed the water up for me!!!

Social networking

Looking through some of the comments that have appeared here recently, it appears that I am missing out on where the gossip happens. I was only able to get a few photo's of the Rubix night, but apparently there are loads of them on this 'Facebook' thing.

I was about to join (too see what all the 'kids' were up to), but then I read this and decided that being that I am 105, I might be a little past it!!

Debate for the day!

Personally I have nothing against the colour....

Is gingerism as bad as racism?!?

Who knows - you decide!

Sun and Suntans at Metropolitan....

The sun was out, and the wind that was so very there a few weeks earlier at Wallingford had not returned with near perfect racing conditions - even possibly a little hot for 2000m racing.

Yes apparently that really is Dorney lake - it can be wind free!

Rob had even brought some fake tan to make sure that he got ahead of the tanning game, but ended up with streaky legs - and then he ran out of fuel on the way home on the M32!

On the racing front, there were no medals for CBRC, although all crews had some good racing. The best result coming from the Women's 1st crew in S38's coming in second behind Osiris. The men's 1st crew deciding to hit above their weight entering S2 and S1 8's had a little bit of a tougher time, but not doing a bad job getting into the finals in both events.

The second crews did not have quite so much success not making the finals, but still looking good for Henley qualification. Even the women's 4 who had to pull Jimmy's fat arse down the course!

Things are looking good from the prospective Henley's which are fast approaching.

What colour were you?

Julia just about managed to survive her first quarter of a century - although, I think it touch and go the following day, when she headed off to her other family for a BBQ, and had to stop off to be sick out of the car!

Anyhow - here is a small selection of all the pictures that were taken!

Bow 10 warming up, stern 10 sitting the boat

Now I would like to see this racing through the docks.... Brewery bend could be a bit of an issue though!!!

http://pagopago.com/fautasi/fautasientrance.html

Tick Tock

Ever wondered what make the Women's captain tick?!?

Well now you can find out from her very own website and blog....

I am assuming that the blog will come to life when she spends every waking hour training to get into the GB kayak squad!

Sleeping beauty

So who is this who is taking her rowing so seriously that she has decided to sleep at the boathouse....

Looks like someone has been working hard in her races.

white, orange, blue, green, red or yellow

Which colour will you choose to end up in at the end of the night!?!

Any body fancy a punt on who will be -

a) the first person to get some kit off
b) the winner

I know where my money will be for a)

clic,clic,clic,clic,clic,clic, clic,clic,clic,clic,clic,clic, clic,clic,clic,clic,clic,clic, clic,clic,clic,clic,clic,clic,

While most of us, especially the women who endured 8 hours of seat racing in the wet and wind, were getting wet on the water, Mr Mumford was hurling himself round a mounting bike in the clic 24 hour race.

The weather, before and during the race did not help -

"Perpetual rain the week before had turned large sections of the course into a quagmire making progress tough during daylight hours and very tricky at night!"

He didn't quite make the full 24 hours, with bike and body falling to bits, but still managed a very respectable 170 miles (third overall in the individual event).

well done mate - you crazy fool!!

Evesham and Wallingford Regatta's

This weekend saw the first regatta's of the summer season, and a selection of the club were out competing in the sun of Evesham, and then the wind of Wallingford (at Dorney Lake).

Evesham was it's normal chaos, but this year even worse than normal, with racing still going on until after 8.30 in the evening! The club's showing was not as good this year as last, with the only pot coming from Jane in her billy no mates scull.... although there was a number of good races, and a last minute withdrawal of the WS34+ opposition in the final scratching, and denying a potential pot. Oh, and did I mention the men's double that hit a buoy, and capsized?!?

Wallingford on the other hand managed to run pretty much on time, despite the strong cross tail wind making life difficult on the start keeping the boats straight. There was some good racing, but little reward, the SS 2- coming in a close second, if they had nailed the start then it could easily have been a very different story. The WS48+ won their heat, but came in third at the final, but a good result for a scratch crew on the day. The WS24+ also had a good showing in their heat, but the conditions, and the weekends racing I think taking their toll in the final and coming in close 5th....

Place your bets

Think you know what's what in rowing?

Then place your bets here, and see if you really do know which club is on a roll this year!

http://rowing.inklingmarkets.com

Not seen CBRC mentioned much... time to prove them all wrong?!?

Mix alcohol and rowers....

And this is what you get.....

Lots of daft photo's and some handsfree desert eating whether you like it or not!!

(check back soon for another video.....)

What no more Gurt Lush Awards?!?

As Gurt Lush, I can not really complain about this, but normally one of the Lush awards at the dinner is the romance of the year which was sadly missing from the bill this time around....

A possible nomination?

You might have to zoom in a little

Boat Race CBRC style! (men)

Forget the Oxford v Cambridge boat race, or the upcoming Bristol varsity grudge match, this is some proper racing (with just a little bit of cheating) between the Men's and Women's squads....



With Julia looking forward to her go at the end of the men's race!

Boat Race CBRC style! (women)

Rowing Cornish Style

The return leg of the surf boating tour happened last weekend, and from the reports we have had back sound as if they had a fun day out in our 'skinny' boats, but were glad to get back to what they know best.

Looking at the pictures they look as if they took to it quite well - in fact it is quite had to tell the difference between the two different sets of rowers!

For an idea of the type of conditions they are used to, check out their website, and wait for the video to load up!!

Race Practice

Some of you may have been aware of our visitors from Cornwall at the weekend - More of that shortly - but I have come across this picture, where it looks like the men's squad coxes have been practicing their steering again in time for seat racing this weekend....

Get Down n' Boogie

Only once a year are we graced with a night such as this coming Saturday.

The man who possesses eternal youth turns another year older, so roll up roll up and come and join Crusher on his birthday drinks.

By coincidence, this night is shared with another birthday... The planets are aligned, the moon is full, and Steve gains another year!

Here's the plan then:

"We are planning on having a few drinks on Saturday night. Crusher has specifically requested that we meet at Zero Degrees on Park Row at about 8 as it's where all the 'young people' hang out...

http://www.zdrestaurants.com/zerodegrees/bristol.htm

As a treat for you all Crusher will wear his Speedos for the evening..."

We will be joined by the Surfboaters (more on that later), and dancing will be compulsory into the small hours.

It's a Baby!

It has been totally remiss of me not to have mentioned the latest addition to the Baker household in the last few days. Don't take it from me, here is the update from a very proud new Dad:

"Well, as of 11pm last Thursday, Harry Baker appeared, three weeks early and weighing in at 8lb2.

To make life a little more interesting, the labour lasted 23 hours before he needed to be delivered using forceps - not for the faint-hearted. Unfortunately, that caused a "bit" of bruising, the upside of which are some very cool photos for his dad to show off. Harry's the small purple one on the right, by the way. Most of the bruises in the photo have now gone, although he still has a couple of black eyes and is being treated for jaundice caused by the bruising."

Gurt will be sending a small bottle of cider round (sterlised of course!).

Best wishes from all to Mum and Harry.

(PS. I hear Sparrow is available for babysitting duties)

CBRC Ball 2007

What I night!

A big thank you to the absent organisers - all went with a hell of a swing. There were a number of incidents throughout the night, but I can only assume it went with a bang if it started like this.

But when it started like that, it was only going to go one way!

We had a brief round up from the one and only Pete Vallance, followed by the 2007 Gurt Lush Awards.

My congratulations go to the following winners:

Fashion Statement of The Year

Crusher

Crash of The Year

Rob Beever

Tart of The Year

Jimmy Young

The Gurt Lush Award

Dr Charlie Jones

The evening went rapidly downhill after the awards, with a determined effort to split the Men's 1st and 2nd eights in a chaotic boat race (sponsored by Smirnoff Ice).

But only one man can claim that his cross dressing would not be stopped by his requirement to wear black tie. Step forward Baggy

Roll on 2008!

It's Official - I Can'tTake My Booze

So there I was, the day after seeing Sparrow cuddle that baby, I met a man who introduced me to this new web site:

http://www.moderndrunkardmagazine.com/issues/09_03/09-03-reasons-to-get-drunk-jan.htm

Before I knew it I had started on the full calendar, and lost a fortnight.

I am back - albeit, with an almighty headache - but normal business is now resumed!

Baby Sitting Services Available

For those few of you who may require some cover in order to attend the CBRC Annual Ball next week, I have come across a new baby sitting/child minding service.

He comes highly recommended, and as can be seen below, will be happy to take your 9 day old baby out on the town!

Tales from the Tideway

The boys did not have much luck this year at the HORR, with what some insiders were saying was the fastest crew ever to come out of CBRC!

It appears that it was a little choppy on the river down in London village, and only 45 crews started the race and 29 finishing - all the other swamping/sinking!

I shall pass you over to Mr Tideway Slug (sink, swamp or swim) for a good description as to the days events! But here is a photo of the 2nd 8 (not managed to find one of the others) to show you the conditions they had to cope with!

The old g*ts on the other hand did managed to get a Sunday paddle and finished 65th out of 180 starters at the vets head on a much calmer river!

Coming to America, no Bristol

It has been observed over the weekend that a member of the mens squad is very fond of his hair products...

So, away with the Liverpool University splash top, and make room for the new kit sponsor:

Birthday time

I have been informed that it is Pete - our Captain's 60th Birthday today (Sat 31st for those that don't read the lush on a weekend!)


So if you see him around then don't forget to check that he had a good day, although the last time I saw him, he was down at the club wielding pitch gauges and height sticks trying to figure out the novice 8...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE - HOPE YOU HAD A GOOD DAY

Gurt

Thirsty?

Do you ever get annoyed about having to constantly keep filling your pint glass with cider/beer/both...

Why not take a leaf out of Jihan's book, and throw away your pint glass and use a nice large vase instead!!

Not sure it would work in a pub this, more of a house party drinking accessory!

Hope you washed the daffodil's out first!

Birthday Bonanza

There was quite a good turn out for Dr Lancaster's big night out in Bristol at the weekend - some people who could not be bothered to turn up on time, even had to queue to get in, as the bar was quite literally bursting at the seams with CBRC!

The most photographed person of the night (bar Katy as it was her birthday!) was not the ubiquitous Julia - But Diego! Here is one (of two!) of them together... Not sure if Julia was requiring support, as she looks as if she is hanging off Diego!

Jane appeared to have not only been drinking, but also taking some other form of drugs... looking a little zombie like here!

And then there was Jimmy, who was so desperate to sup the last bit of the strange strawberry cider type concoction, that he felt the need to lick it off the floor!!

There are of course more photo's that you can view to you hearts content here!

How Do I Look - take two?!?

About 1min 20sec into it....



About 3 min 10 into it....

It's a tough job - but somebody has to do it!

I have not been impressed with the number of complaining comments on the Lush regarding the ball, and anyone who thinks they can do a better job are more than welcome to have a go at organising something next year.

This is the one big event of the year where we can all get dressed up, and have a proper shindig... The winter training is over, and Henley/summer training is not yet in full flow. I myself - being one of the old dogs of the club have been to many, and they all prove to be a great event... and I am sure that Dee and Nicky have organised something just as entertaining!

SO STOP COMPLAINING, GET YOUR CASH OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PUT TIME INTO RUNNING IT!

Here are a few pictures from over the years....

50th Anniversary Ball

2005

2006

Party Frocks and Penguin Suites

Ladies and Gentlemen - it is time to dust off your formal gear, get your cheque books out, and buy some tickets for the 2007 CBRC annual dinner!!


Venue: Ashton Court Mansion
Date: 13th April, 2007
Time: 7pm for Drinks Reception
Price: £35.00

Price includes the following:

A champagne/wine reception upon arrival, a 3 course dinner and a Disco!
Bar open until 1.30am and Disco finishes at 2am.

If you want some tickets, but do not make it to the boat house very often then drop Dee or Nicky a line to book them up!

Not just for Bristol

Looks like it is not only bristol rowers that read me!

This blog has a link to Gurt - and lots of more serious and useful rowing info than I ever print!!

A tale of two halves

While the Women enjoyed sunshine and warm weather on Saturday, it was a very different scene on the tidaway for the Men to have their pre HORR training session!

The reports coming through sound as if the wind was picking the water up a treat and causing some very difficult rowing conditions, with the crews even having to stop half way through the outing to empty out some water....

What is more, that on their return they some of the crew were so excited to be back to 'dry' land they jumped out the boat a little early, with Russ practicing his breast stroke, Gildas having a little paddle in the clear blue water of the Thames, and Crusher in up to his waist!!

Wish I had some pictures of that!!

Women Drivers...

If our second eight thought they had had a bad day, it was nothing compared to Pembroke College Oxford who managed to wrap their boat around Putney Bridge.

And I thought only 'bright' people could get into Oxford?!?

WeHORR 07

There were mixed emotions on Saturday afternoon in Putney after 2 crews of the women's squad pitted themselves against 280+ other crews from around the country (plus a few international ones too!)

The day started off well, and they were greeted by nice warm sunny conditions, if not a little windy, which made the conditions a little tricky. Well not that well, with the van (a nice brand new transit) having a close encounter with the end of one of the 8's!

1st off the first crew

By all accounts a fairly solid row down the course, and some good racing, with plenty of overtaking to keep Jimmy occupied!
Final results with them coming in at 79th in a time of 20.42 - I think they were hoping to come a little higher up the chart - 22nd out of 33 S2 crews, but the 6th fastest provincial crew!

2nd Crew...
Unfortunately this was not a race to remember with one of the wheels on bow's seat disintegrating very shortly into the race - and 4 miles with only 7 rowers was never going to give them the result they were going for!

With not much to read into the result of 246th - 22.39. Although they did manage to beat 5 crews in their division (one by over 2 minutes!) with their full compliment of crew.....

Well done ladies - next stop Henley!

Update on the fundraising - Up to £235 now for breast cancer haven. Not sure when the site stops collecting, but for the time being you can still offer some more money here!

I can't wait until I'm 30!

So much so that I am going to celebrate becoming 30 a whole ten days before the actual big day....

There is now a plan for Katy's coming of age, and it will be on the 24th March.....

Details from the Dr's mouth

"hello ladies

30th birthday celebrations will be at 'the woods' bar, just off park street on park street avenue (opposite the yellow monstrosity that is the white hart). it looks very cool indeed and is open until 6am, so there will be absolutely no need whatsoever for la rocca!!!! I'd like to start reasonably early in order to bag an area for us, so will be there from 7.30pm.

looking forwards to some proper partying to ease me into my new era....

Katy xx"

PS - Although is says ladies above I am sure she won't mind some of the boys coming along... (too late now anyway as I have just posted!).

Having said that I am a little worried that the 'boys' are turning into girls anyway with all these stories about cake baking I keep hearing! At this rate they will be taking tins of cake in the boat to training sessions/races, and doing away with Sunday morning outings!

PPS - Katy, you don't look a day over 20... Love Gurt x

Are you prepared

There are only a few days left until the women's head of the river, and all the people who have raced on the tideway will know that it is a long time to sit in the boat, and keep hydrated at the same time -For the boys it just takes a wide necked bottle... for the girls it is not so easy!

There have been instances of quality street tins and shoes, but now the ultimate solution has arrived..

best get your orders in today to ensure delivery for Saturday - and for the boys - you can also get them gift wrapped for a special surprise for your lady

Have your cake and eat it

It sounds as if the cake stall was a great success at the weekend, and raised lots of lovely money for the club - it would have been more if Jane and Emily did not have to have a slice of EVERY cake on the stall!

Luckily there is no more Bristol events until the end of the summer now, otherwise we would have to ask JL to change the all-in-one design to something along these lines!

What goes - clunk, clunk,clunk,clunk

Ans - A swan being hit by all four bow side blades of a UWE eight at full pelt down Welshback!

Maybe that is why they decided to cut the corner round by the Matthew to try and catch up the time that the swan cost them! - In my day cutting that corner was a disqualification?!

Weekends Results

What a weekend of unexpected results....

In the rugby, the Italians beating the Welshies, England the Frog's. In the cake baking! contest the men came up trumps (or did I miss read that email?), whereas in the rowing the women's second 8 coming home quicker that the 1st 8 - although there was some very last minute swapping around, with Jane having to pull out of the race virtually on the start line, Emily (the cox) jumping into her place, and Tom (on the launch) getting the coxing duties!!

Anyway, as I am sure you have all seen, the results are up on the website!

Row, row, row your boat UPDATED

There are still lots of Job still to fill - IF YOUR ARE RACING IN THE 1ST DIVISION THEN YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO HELP THE 2ND DIVISION, AND VISE-VERSA. It is only fair that people making your division run get to row in the other division, and without sufficient help this will not be possible.

Quickly down the docks.... Without a swan/ferry/canoe in sight!

The draw is ready, and up on the website.

And now to the serious bit -

This event draws in quite a bit of money into the club (to help fund the equipment you use - and break!), and the smooth running requires the help of club members to allow it to run year on year. If you are rowing in one division, you would be expected to help the running of the other, so please, if you have not done so already send in your offers to volunteer to Nick Baker.

Jobs include -

Start and Finish Timers
Boating marshals (getting boats on and off the water).
Bridge Marshals
Start marshals
Car park
Food stall and Food preparation (before the day: baking cakes, making sandwiches, etc.)
Swan feeding.
Race control/registration.Setting up/Clearing up.

Breast Haven

The women's eights head this year is again raising money for breast cancer....

The 2 8's heading off to London in a weeks time have got together and set up a justgiving site to raise this money. Although it is last minute if they can raise over £100 then there is a chance to win a prize of a new Row Perfect, or a set of Magik oarlocks.

If every one in the club puts even a pound in, then the club has a chance of winning a row perfect.....

What better way boys to make your coach very happy in winning her a row perfect to teach you how to row properly!

Friday sporting funnies

Some painful sporting moments for you to enjoy for a Friday afternoon.



Yes I know it has been around for a while, but it still makes me laugh!

iiit's Quiz Time!

Match these names to make rowing club couples.....

Dom ______________Jo

Rob P_____________Rachael M

Tom______________Rachael W

Morgan____________Jane

Colin______________Emily

Geoff_____________Emma


PS - This list is not exhaustive, so if you are a rowing couple but not here tough!!

Marcus's Madness

Marcus 'Maverick' Mumford is taking part in CLIC24 - A 24 hour endurance, and generally considered a team mountain bike event.

However, now that he is short of a few friends after giving up on the rowing, he has decided to attempt it solo! That is 24 hour non stop cycling - and with that a few words spring to mind 'mad' and 'saddle sore' for starters.

It is a sponsored event, so I am sure he would be most grateful, and ease the pain if you would be kind enough to sponsor his madness

Dancing Lessons

I have just discovered where dancing Jimmy went for his dancing lessons....

A much better idea that going to salsa dancing lessons - Which is what the women's squad are apparently thinking of doing to 'help their rhythm' in the boat?!?

What ever next - first 'scary' socks, then dancing lessons. Personally I would recommend more training as a good way of going faster!

Tall skinny bloke over takes short fat kid

Here we see the new super stroke of the men's second eight charging past one of the local school boys at Worcester head....

At least that is what I hope is happening, and not the other way around!!

Wet feet and wins in Worcester

The men's and women's tideway crews had their first real tester this weekend on the 6km Worcester Head course, the only real time they will get close to the tideway race distance in competition before the main event.

Congratulations to all the crews on some good results, but especially to the men's 1st eight, and the women's 2nd eight who both won their classes. The men's eight triumphed despite only being selected last weekend, showed their potential and won their event, and were the fastest boat in the second division (5th fastest crew of the day)

Men's S3 8+ 16 min 44 (1st)
Men's S3 8+ 17 min 43 (4th)
Women's S2 8+ 18min 50 (2nd)
Women's S4 8+ 20min 13 (1st)