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