All day long a soft rain has been falling leaving everywhere misty and damp.
So I did not feel tempted to work outside. Instead I have pottered about and done some paperwork.
This morning Peter went off for a gig club meeting to discuss teams etc for the world championships in May. He came home pleased that he has been picked for 2 teams. I can foresee a lot more training sessions both on the water and the gym. If I have joined the club by then I only want to be a social rower and have no ambitions to to compete. We are already planning our trip. For those with lots of money it is possible to fly from Exeter, only an hour's drive away and then stay in a hotel or B&B but we shall probably be driving down to Penzance, taking the ferry and camping for 4 or 5 nights. I only hope it doesn't rain too much.
I found this description of the event on the web and it did make me feel more enthusiastic.
Every year the Isles of Scilly hosts an incredible rowing event – The World Pilot Gig Championships. Rowing clubs from across the South West and even as far afield as Holland and the Faroe Islands bring their 6 oared, wooden pilot gigs to the islands for 3 days of racing.
There’s no ‘racing shells’, carbon fibre or sliding seats – it’s strictly traditional clinker built gig boats racing between the islands in the Atlantic swell.
Veterans and super-veterans row first in a long race from St Agnes to St Mary’s. The renowned Flushing and Mylor men’s supervets are the oldest crew in the event yet they compete in all 5 men’s races over the weekend. In 2010 their average age was 70 and oldest rower, Angus, celebrated his 86 birthday!
Sat morning sees the most spectacular races when the whole fleet of around 130 boats race at the same time. The start line is over a mile long and being in the thick of it is an unforgettable experience.
The overall winners are decided through fierce sprint races over Saturday afternoon and Sunday and when the racing is all done festivities begin with a beach barbecue, bands and a great deal of singing.
The singing continues on Monday afternoon as those remaining on the island line the quay to serenade the ferry as it departs.
There’s no ‘racing shells’, carbon fibre or sliding seats – it’s strictly traditional clinker built gig boats racing between the islands in the Atlantic swell.
Veterans and super-veterans row first in a long race from St Agnes to St Mary’s. The renowned Flushing and Mylor men’s supervets are the oldest crew in the event yet they compete in all 5 men’s races over the weekend. In 2010 their average age was 70 and oldest rower, Angus, celebrated his 86 birthday!
Sat morning sees the most spectacular races when the whole fleet of around 130 boats race at the same time. The start line is over a mile long and being in the thick of it is an unforgettable experience.
The overall winners are decided through fierce sprint races over Saturday afternoon and Sunday and when the racing is all done festivities begin with a beach barbecue, bands and a great deal of singing.
The singing continues on Monday afternoon as those remaining on the island line the quay to serenade the ferry as it departs.
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