CONGRATULATIONS...

Congratulations to Goldaman and Ruth who had a little girl last Friday evening. I have already pinned Sarah Esme's membership application form (cox) to the Cygnet notice board.

AVAILABILITY...

Many thanks to those who have responded regarding the Plum Puddings race on the 19th. We're not far off a couple of eights and I'm hoping to do something mixed with the Ladies so let me know in the next day or two if you want to have a bash (particularly the vets and newer novices who are under-represented at the moment).

Hopefully see lots of you on Tuesday.

w/Rgds, Mike.

More Fun from the Trenches, 07/12/04

Technically still a novice, French David throws his onions out of the basket (again)...

Mike,

Can't make ergs tonight, so enjoyed them last night:

(Note that that 1st one is a new pb, so very pleased I spent 14 hours getting to and from Birmingham a couple of weeks ago, to sit in a big freaky room like a muppet for less than 7 minutes, when I could have beaten the time in our own shed, on my own. Rowing's sh*t.)

Weekly News, 06/12/04

Dear all,

Lots to get through...

WEEKEND JUST GONE...

A useful coached session in the eight with Nick Rowett on Saturday was followed on Sunday by two 10 minute racing pieces against Putney Town RC. They sent two coxless fours to the Pink House and we sent a coxed four and a pair. All crews reported that they enjoyed the competition and we will keep in close contact with Putney Town to arrange more of these joint outings. A coached quad of novices also went afloat on Sunday (for at least one it was his first time in a racing boat) and they showed fantastic improvement throughout the outing. Thanks also to Chris Davidson who ran an informative safety briefing after outings on Saturday. Topics covered included keeping warm, capsizing on the Tideway (don't) and what to do if you find a sculler who's swimming. A very useful session.

THE TIDEWAY SMALL BOATS HEAD...

There is a slight possibility that this will be cancelled but we have carried on regardless and entered crews. I'm really pleased to see 5 Cygnet boats competing. Fingers crossed...

THIS WEEK...

Read this carefully as outing times are changing next weekend...

WADDLE...

Details of the Waddle are now up on the website (in the Blog) http://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/. It's an aggressive timetable but I am confident in our ability to hold it all together. Members and friends of both clubs are welcome to join us for all or part of the Waddle even if they aren't attending the ball. I have also pasted the details to the end of this email.

BOATHOUSE XMAS LUNCH...

Next Sunday (12th) is the annual boathouse Xmas lunch. Marj will be coordinating but will need lots of hands to help with tidying, food, drink, etc. It's always a fun event which is enjoyed by many current and old members of both clubs so please pitch in and help if you can.

THE SHED...

The floor has now been laid in The Shed and we are in there for training from tonight. Please take care as the mirrors have not yet been fixed permanently to the far wall. Dorian Grey would be proud. Also please make sure that you wipe down all ergos after use - perspiration is not a cleaning agent.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Xmas 2005 Waddle Timetable, 05/12/04

See below for details of this year's Xmas Waddle. We'll be "visiting" a record six licensed premises and it will be the first Waddle to depart from our own boathouse since the inaugural Waddle in 2001!

Saturday 11th December...

In association with Stephenson Enterprises (tm)

French David Gutted, 01/12/04

French David will be emptying the bins at the boathouse for the foreseeable future. He inherits this job from Wyatt Nick who (coincidentally) was on the same quiz team and is just as sad...

From: Tammy
Sent: 29 November 2004 17:35
Subject: Fw: Am Gutted w/re Quiz

I nominate Dave French for a job at the Boathouse as he clearly needs
more work to do if he has time to search the internet and check the
answers to the quiz questions of yesterday!  Sort him out.

-----Original Message-----
From: French David
Sent: 29 November 2004 16:35
Subject: Am Gutted w/re Quiz

A baby shark is definitely a PUP!  Gutted, we would have won if we'd
have been given that point.  (I bear Tammy no ill-will though, because
in my Google search to confirm, I chanced upon the page from which she
had clearly lifted all of that round, and they got it wrong, which is
the real disgrace.  AND we all signed up to the mandate of "not
necessarily the right answers, but the answers Tammy & Esme have written
down".  Still seething though).

Ump Umph, 01/12/04

This from the Tideway Slug recently, regarding a certain person who had swapped his blazer and tie for some tight fitting lycra...

"...wash aside, the racing in general went fairly smoothly... there was the
usual problem of muppetry round the turning buoy with a significant number of
competiors - including one very experienced umpire/marshall who should know
better (ahem) - getting tangled around it..."

Now surely no Cygnet member would be so incompetent? Surely no SENIOR Cygnet member? Surely not the CHAIRMAN? Why-oh-Wy-lie!

Cygnet Weekly News, 31/11/04

Dear all,

AVAILABILITY...

For the TSBH on the 18th is pretty dismal. I have a pair and a single confirmed but apart from that have only heard from D.French; C.Dunhill; N.Pickford and myself. Does nobody else want to race?

THIS WEEK...

Caveat: we may be arranging another racing piece with Putney Town and Sons from the PH on Sunday as a warm up for the TSBH so Sunday's boating time may change. Please assume 9:30 unless you hear otherwise, but please be prompt.

WATER TRAINING...

MOAN ON. Numbers showing up for water training are pretty dismal, particularly on Sundays. Please show up on time and ready to go. There's no point us arranging coaching if everybody decides to stay in bed. MOAN OFF.

RACING...

Well done to Chris, Nick and Neil for their efforts in the Scullers Head a couple of weeks ago. Full results are here http://www.vrc.org.uk/sh/ScullersHeadResults-2004.phtml.

SAFETY CHAT...

A reminder that Chris's Winter Rowing safety round-table is on Saturday at 12:00 in the BH bar.

BOATHOUSE...

Please keep out of the shed as the floor has now been sealed in preparation for the floor to be laid.

XMAS PARTY...

Elizabeth Allen is having a party. Details attached...

[Document Removed]

w/Rgds, Mike.

Upriver, 23/11/04

Follow this link to take a look at the work done by Derek Bush and his gang of happy helpers at the bungalow this Autumn. We're reliably informed that the upriver bedroom is now fully insulted, nay insulated - floor, two exterior walls and false ceiling - and bright in primrose and white.

I'm sure that all of us who visit the bungalow during the two sculling camps next year will enjoy its new found toastiness.

Many thanks from all Cygnets and friends who use the bungalow.

Weekly News, 23/11/04

Dear all,

BIRC
Well done to the three Cygnets, two friends and four BBLadies who made the long slog up the motorway to Birmingham's NIA to compete in this year's British Indoor Rowing Champs. It was as much fun as it will ever be and I was pleased to see two Cygnets get PBs for the 2k distance. Why do we do it? Because it's there. http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/

For the record: Nick Wyatt 6:29; David French 6:34; Mike Collier 6:37 (slow old man); Simon Blackburn 6:45; Michael French 6:47; Bea van Hoorn Alkema 7:38; Steph Jackson 7:49; Poppy Ahern 7:53; Tammy Davis 8:12.

AVAILABILITY
The Tideway Small Boats Head is confirmed for 18th December. Please let me have your availability for this race as soon as possible. http://www.akrowing.com/events.php?event=2004-tsbh

Also in December, Quintin BC organise the Plum Puddings Xmas Head. Raced between the Pink House and their flagpole at Chiswick Bridge in eights with the slowest starting first this can be a great spectacle/debacle. The actual date for this event is always a closely guarded secret but if I was a betting man I'd go for Sunday 19th December. Last year we managed to put in two eights named Pomp & Circumstance. It would be great if we could do the same this year so provisionally mark that date in your diary.

THIS WEEK
Ergs tonight are the 2x20mins; core stability on Wednesday; circuits on Thursday - please let Bea and Steph know if you're attending so they can cater appropriately; normal Sat/Sun outings at 9:00/9:30. Nick Rowett will be coaching on Saturday so I'd like to get an eight afloat (which will only happen if people make the effort to turn up and turn up on time) and I will coach on Sunday.

TRAINING
I have been really pleased with people's commitment to land training so far this year and if we all keep it up then by the HoRR we will be an even fitter club than we were last year. However that's only half the story. Many hours of water time are required over the winter to improve technique and in-boat fitness. Everybody who thinks they will be in the HoRR come March or racing in the regatta season 2005 should be putting the work in now so that we can hit these events from a peak of fitness. The only land training session I consider compulsory at the club for anyone who wants to row is Tuesday. As long as you are training away from the club then your scores will improve, but we should all endeavour to make every Saturday and Sunday we can between now and March. There's not much incentive for us to coach if people don't turn up.

SAFETY
As you know your safety is our priority. With that in mind Chris Davidson (Safety Officer and VC) will be holding an open-forum discussion on winter rowing in the bar after outings on Saturday 4th December. All (and particularly new) members are encouraged to attend and share experiences of hypothermia, chilblains, etc.

SOCIAL
So much to do and so little time...

BOATHOUSE STUFF
We will need some hands this week to remove the flooring from the shed so that the final clean can happen prior to the surface being professionally laid. Depending on numbers we will try and get this done tonight/Thursday and at the weekend. Please pitch in for an hour if you can.

As you may be aware the Ute (or pick-up truck) has now been purchased and is owned by the Boathouse Exec. If you would like to borrow the Ute for any reason (moving, collecting, dumping, etc.) please contact Dave Gledhill to book it and pay the donation.

Think that's about it. Unfortunately I can't make ergos tonight but will be down for circuits on Thursday. Could someone please collect the distances and mail them to me for the xls.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Weekly News, 16/11/04

Dear all,

Another useful weekend's rowing in small boats although numbers were reduced on Sunday morning as most of Cygnet, Barnes Bridge and (alarmingly) Putney Town RC attended a late-nite, nite club called Infernos in Clapham. It goes without saying that I don't approve when social activities impinge on rowing and would suggest that the culprits (and you know who you are) spend time quietly reading improving books and sipping warm, milky drinks over the next few weeks to make amends. http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/info_club_558.html

CONGRATULATIONS...

Simon French and new member Ben Green won the S2 2- division in last Sunday's Kingston Small Boats Head.

Neil Jackson and Steve Otterburn also won in last Sunday's Vets Fours Head. They were rowing in a composite VetF 4x with AKRC.

Well done to both crews. http://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/racing.htm

THIS WEEK...

Weights tonight.

Ergos on Tuesday will be 4 x 2,000 metres. In preparation for the British Indoor Rowing Championships next Sunday we have an open invite to the girls to come along and do them with us so that they can, erm, feel the burn. http://www.concept2.co.uk/birc/

Core stability on Wednesday. Circuits on Thursday. Normal rowing at 9:00 and 9:30 next weekend.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

Sunday 28th November sees the return of the Annual BBLRC/Cygnet Pub Quiz and Lunch at the boathouse. Details will follow but if last year was anything to go by we can expect challenging questions (how many dwarves were there, and name all seven) and a delicious Sunday lunch. Teams will probably be of 4 or 5 unless you are a Cygnet Vet in which case a team of 15 Ph.D.s will probably be the order of the day.

That's about it. Hopefully see lots of you on Tuesday.

w/Rgds, Mike.

WHOOPS - AND THERE'S MORE...

With apologies, a couple of errors/omissions from my first email today which are clarified below...

Firstly I have been informed by several people that the river will actually be closed next Saturday morning for the Scullers Head which starts at 10:30 so obviously we won't be able to row. http://www.vrc.org.uk/sh/

Barnes Bridge are taking the opportunity to get everyone to do a 5k test and since many hands make light work I thought we'd take the opportunity to do the same. So if you aren't racing in the Scullers Head or competing in the BIRC on Sunday them why not come down and put a time on the board.

ALSO

More information has filtered in regarding the Quiz and Lunch on the 28th...

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you may know the Annual BBLRC Quiz & Lunch is again upon us on Sunday 28th November at 12.30. Last year a multi -national team scooped victory from a team which consisted of not one but two doctors - it goes to show that questions about neural networks and fruit flies don't regularly come up on pub quizzes, so it's all to play for.

This year teams should consist of no more than four people, but can be fewer if your prefer a winning clique. Entry will be a five of your British pounds each and the winner will get a surprise token of victory but the greater knowledge that they have triumphed over some of the great minds that can lurk inside the most mediocre of rowers. The entry includes a lunch which will provide some well-earned sustenance mid-way through the afternoon's cerebral exertions.

Get in a team and let me know your team name by Wednesday 24th November, the game is afoot!

Esme.

All bribes in the form of cash/new Empachers should be placed in the boathouse for my attention. :-)

Weekly Bits, 08/11/04

Dear all,

RACING...

Thanks to everybody who worked so hard to make both the Fours Head on Saturday and the Vet Fours Head on Sunday the success they were. Parking, boating and the bar all ran very smoothly and the Exec will have made a good amount of money to plough back into the boathouse.

Cygnet entered an S2 4+ and an S2 4x in the Fours Head and a VetB 4+ along with a composite VetE 4x in the Vets. Full results can be found on their respective websites http://www.hor4s.org.uk/ and http://www.vetfourshead.com/. Well done to all crews.

Further up the river Simon French and Ben Green also raced for Cygnet over the weekend. No results are up for their S2 2- in Sunday's Kingston Small Boats Head, but watch this space http://www.kingstonrc.co.uk/?page_id=events/kingston_small_boats_head/re sults. Their pre-race warm-up involved rowing their pair the 1 hour 45 minutes up to the start (negotiating two locks on the way) which is either very impressive or very daft depending on your point of view.

THIS WEEK...

UPCOMING RACING...

Three Cygnets are racing the Scullers Head on 20th November and three (different) Cygnets will be competing in the British Indoor Rowing Champs in Birmingham on Sunday 21st. Pity them all.

XMAS...

Xmas approaches and two dates for your diary are the Fire and Ice Xmas Ball on the 11th December (see Esme for tickets) and the Boathouse Xmas Lunch on the 12th.

As is traditional the Ball will be preceded by a Waddle and as we are only a stone's throw from the venue the following provisional timetable becomes viable:

w/Rgds, Mike.

Vets Lunch Leander, 07/11/04

A couple of pics from the Cygnet Veterans Lunch at Leander which was held on Saturday 30th October. It was fantastic to see so many vets from Cygnet and also from Civil Service/Barnes Bridge Ladies. Di Ellis (Chair of the ARA) was pleasantly surprised to find herself sitting next to the (charming, debonaire) captain and they exchanged many high-brow rowing words on race restructuring and early catches. The captain was in no way drunk at that point and any reports that he put his hand on her knee are completely unfounded.

The Lunch is a very special occasion in the Cygnet calendar as it brings together many members from previous decades who are now no longer close enough to the club to visit on a regular basis. It also gives the President and Captain a chance to let the attendees know what's happening in and around the club and most importantly Leander sells quite a nice pint of bitter and there are some lovely pubs in Henley for a little old-boys waddle afterwards.

After eight hours drinking it's a long ride home on a train with no loos!

Peg 'em High, 01/11/04

BBLRC's housekeeper seems to be settling into her stride much sooner than anyone expected and is implementing a draconian named peg scheme in the Ladies changing room. We at the Blog believe it will all end in tears, as indicated by this conversation recently overheard between her and several of the new BBLRC novices who amply fill so many seats at the weekends.

Housekeeper: All right, settle down. Settle down... Now, before I begin the lesson, will those of you who are rowing in the regatta this afternoon move your clothes down onto the lower peg immediately after lunch, before you fill your water bottle, if you're not getting your hair cut, unless you've got a handsome younger brother who is available this weekend as the guest of a BB Lady, in which case, fill her water bottle before lunch, put it in your rucksack after you've had your hair cut, and make sure she moves your clothes down onto the lower peg for you. Now...
Novice: Charlotte?
Housekeeper: Yes, Novice?
Novice: My handsome younger brother's going out with a BB Lady this weekend, miss, but she's not having her hair cut today, miss. So, do I move my clothes down, or...
Housekeeper: I do wish you'd listen, Novice. It's perfectly simple. If she's not getting her hair cut, you don't have to move her clothes down to the lower peg. You simply fill your water bottle before lunch, after you've done your 20 minute ergo, when you've washed the boat, before cake, move your own clothes onto the lower peg, introduce your friends, and report to Tammy that you've had your chit signed.

Alternatively you could get out more?

Weekly Stuff, 01/11/04

Dear all,

A good outing in the 8 on Saturday (I was unfortunately inebriated with a bunch of oldies at the time) and a well-organised pre-fours head piece with BBLRC, Putney Town, Staines and Milton Keynes from the Pink House to Chiswick Bridge (a Word document containing the results is attached) made for a successful weekend at the boathouse.

It was also a pleasure to see so many Barnes Bridge Ladies looking so smart for their club photo on Sunday. Although a slightly chilly day they braved the elements and I for one am really looking forward to seeing the finished results. I may even order a personal copy.

THIS WEEK...

Weights tonight; 4x2000m ergos tomorrow; Pilates or 60 mins on Wednesday; Circuits on Thursday.

NEXT WEEKEND...

Because of the fours and vets fours head there will be no organised outings next weekend. Would all racing crews be at the boathouse at least 60 minutes before they are due to boat. The fours head starts at 10:00 on Saturday and the vets starts at 11:00 on Sunday. Both are run Mortlake to Putney.

Crews:

Both events are good fun and it's worth coming along to help with jobs, and spectate even if you aren't racing (the bar will be open).

SATURDAY NIGHT...

The fours head will be followed by the first tentative social of the year. If you present yourself at the boathouse at 7pm you will be able to: drink; watch fireworks; have pizza; go drinking in Putney. For anyone who is slightly nervous there will be an army of Barnes Bridge Ladies to protect us.

Think that's it. See you on Tuesday when we will be erging in the shed for the first time (so bring a woolly hat)!

w/Rgds, Mike.

There Once Was an Ugly Cygnet, 25/10/04

Poor, poor N.J.B.G.C.S.E. Wyatt Senior III was forced to attend last Saturday's Skool Disco at Hammersmith Palais by the two unattractive BBLRC members on the right! Hard as it was for him to muster any enthusiasm he managed to dust off his Old Skool uniform (although you might be mistaken for thinking that he was actually on his way to work) and, after downing a whole bottle of white wine for "luck", managed to survive an evening surrounded by scantily clad schoolgirls without anything actually happening (apparently).

We at the Blog are very pleased to see young Nicholas tentatively dipping his toe into the various delights that Barnes Bridge Ladies have to offer; and speaking of toes, did you know that you break your big one an amazing 10 times a year on average?

Weekly Stuff, 25/10/04

Dear all,

Some really good ergo times last Tuesday for the 4 x 2,000m tests, some alarming amounts of alcohol drunk after circuits on Thursday and some useful outings in the 8 on Saturday and quads, doubles, fours on Sunday.

IMPORTANT 1 - TIME CHANGE NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday we will be meeting to be on the water at 9am. We will be taking part in a timed head race from the Pink House to Chiswick Bridge along with Milton Keynes RC, Putney Town RC and Guildford RC. As always just show up with the caveat that I will try and put out the fours head combinations if I can. Anybody who is left will be subbed in or organised into other boats as suitable. The event is open to anyone so any single scullers, vets or others who would like to take part should marshal at the Pink House at 10am.

IMPORTANT 2 - DOOR CODE CHANGE

The boathouse door code has now changed. If you don't know it but want to then please get in touch with me.

THIS WEEK

OTHER BITS

Please let Esme know if you want to attend the BBLRC Fire & Ice Xmas Ball on the 11th January. Tickets are going fast and my dance card is filling up.

Would everyone who owes entry money for pairs/fours/vets fours/scullers head races PLEASE make sure they pay me this week. The money spreadsheet on the website will be up to date by tomorrow morning. You can't race without paying!!!

That's about it. I'll be down on Tuesday (using my vast reserve of slow-twitch muscle fibres) to put some of the young whipper-snappers who think they can ergo in their place.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Weekly Stuff, 18/10/04

Dear all,

FOURS HEAD...

Availability was a bit disappointing but two boats have now been entered...

...it's not too late to add another few people so if you want to do it let me know and we might be able to re-jig.

THE SHED...

Was officially opened by Olympic medallist Gillian Lindsay on Sunday immediately prior to the Pairs Head prize giving.

Apparently all aspects of the prize giving went very well except that BBLRC loaded up the Ute with enough Cava to sink a battleship forgetting that athletes who win categories in head races probably watch what they drink rather more than your average Barnes Bridge Lady on a Thursday night after circuits. Apparently there's a bit left!!!

THIS WEEK...

Tonight: weights; Tuesday: 4x2,000m ergos - record your time for each; Wednesday: core stability or 60 mins; Thursday: circuits; Sat/Sun: OTW at the usual times

BBLRC XMAS BALL - FIRE & ICE

Very excitingly it's at the Dukes Meadows Golf Club which means an home-turf Waddle incorporating (and this really is very exciting) the Charlie Butler.

The note below is from Esme. Please read and respond...

ESME STARTS
I was wondering if you could include a little bit about the ball in your
weekly news this week [a pleasure].  People have already responded and
I'm grateful for this but to make sure that I get a good cross section
for picking the menu (both food and price range) I need to know what a
majority of people are doing - some people think I already know they're
coming but I don't!  If they would like to send me an email at
esmewingrove@hotmail.com just to say whether they want to come or not, I
can do the rest and contact them directly menu wise.  It's on 11th
December 7.30-12, Dukes Meadows Golf Club - four course menu, 1/2 bottle
of wine, dancing, raffle etc. Partners and friends very welcome. 
ESME ENDS

w/Rgds, Mike.

ARA Medal of Merit, 17/10/04

A quote from page 6 of October's Regatta magazine...

The ARA medal of merit was awarded to Nina Padwick for her exceptional services to the sport at the club and regional level through administration, coaching and regatta organisation. Described as an "active worker and benefactor who has always taken a practical turn" Nina Padwick is the principal organiser of the Borne [International - ed.] regatta and for many years was an active member of the ARA medical committee. She is currently President of MAA and was made one of only two life members of Cygnet RC for her services to the club.

Congratulations to Nina from all at Cygnet.

Model Behaviour, 15/10/04

Imagine the frustration of young novice senior Poppy Aherm (not her real name) when, trying to organise a big night out, she discovers that the captain isn't the only boring sod in the boathouse. Email below...

Mike,

It's with some distress that I've witnessed the younger cygnet members
adopting their captain's Saturday night activities - see below:

-----Original Message-----
From: Name Removed (can you guess who)
Sent: 13 October 2004 15:05
Subject: RE: For one night only...

I may need some persuading over this - was intending to have an early
night on sofa in front of the television with a filling meal and
comfortable slippers.

-----Original Message-----
From: Name Removed (can you guess who)
Subject: RE: For one night only...

Love to, but I have to sit in a church and listen to my Mum sing that
evening.

It Makes A Chap...Well...Bloody Proud, 12/10/04

Anybody requiring a bit of career advice could do worse than turn to somebody who the Guardian newspaper feels is a bit of an expert - our own Nick Wyatt.

Saturday's Careers Guardian article can be found here (for the moment at least) and I have pasted it below. What with the Guardian being the Guardian there are certain typos in the original article and I have marked these mistakes, along with corrections, in the text below using square brackets.

Nick seemed to have decided not to tell any of his special friends at the rowing club about this article. We are all mystified by this!

What happened next? [he had the piss taken out of him]

Nick Wyatt worked as a steward at concerts and football matches while studying for a genetics degree at University College, London

Interview by Adeline Iziren
Saturday October 9, 2004
The Guardian

Nick Wyatt now works as an assistant [to the assistant] statistician at the Home Office. He is [somehow] on the government's fast track graduate training scheme for aspiring [perspiring, spotty, greasy] statisticians. He joined the scheme early last year, after spending six months looking for work [lazing in bed and scratching his arse].

Job hunting was stressful, he recalls. "I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn't want to work in the City or be a doctor [nor did he want to be an astronaut or brain surgeon, but it was OK as nobody would have given him a job doing those things either]. I also didn't want to work hugely long hours [lazy, work-shy git]."

Nick now works in the immigration statistics [creative writing] section of the Home Office with a team of assistant statisticians [more lazy, work-shy gits].

Their job is to compile [fabricate] statistics on the number of people entering the UK, make a note of [make up] the country they are coming from and [fictionalise] their reason for coming. "We do this to make sure that people are coming for a good reason and not to claim benefits," he says [idly flicking through a well thumbed copy of Mein Kampf].

Nick's job also involves preparing briefings for the prime minister [saints preserve us] on a range of immigration issues. The last briefing he prepared will soon be on its way to Downing Street, after being checked [shredded] by senior civil servants.

As an assistant [to the assistant] statistician, Nick makes the most of his [tiny] analytical mind and his ability to rewrite [mis-write] complex information into simple language that people can [can't] understand.

Nick reckons he was lucky to have landed his job [a huge understatement if ever we've heard one]. "Before graduating I had never worked in an office and so when I started my job I didn't know how to behave appropriately in certain situations [for example he kept getting his knob trapped in the blinds and pissing in the pot plants] . It was a steep learning curve [and he's stayed very much in the foothills]."

His advice to final year students? "Think about what you want to do now and start applying for jobs, so that when you do graduate you'll have something lined up [or alternatively stay in bed and scratch your arse, it's much more fun]."

adeline@worksmartcommunications.com.

Rhine Snickers, 11/10/04

Eight top-grade Cygnet/BBLRC athletes assembled once again on the banks of the Rhine to compete in the 2004 Rhine Marathon: Neil "Whip Me" Pickford; Mike "Coolio" Collier; David "Punchy" French; Nick "Bionic Roll-Mat Man" Wyatt; Matt "Eyes are Weapons" Barrows; Marj "Spinning Top" Israel; Caroline "The Lady" Glasspool, Alan "One for the Road" Cox and Mike "Squiffy" Arnold-Gilliat.

A beautiful day and wonderful conditions saw both the 4+ and 4x get really good times along with their really good blisters with the 4+ getting bronze in the open sweeps event (chim-chim-cheroo).

The evening saw many changes. A new restaurant in a new district, a table booked for 20 which eventually had to seat about 35 (charter flights to the Algarve have more leg-room), an eclectic selection of late-night bars, dancing and music encompassing Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden and the very latest German Euro-Pop. Some people who are old enough to know better had a bit of a dance and everybody had a very long "lie-in" on Sunday morning.

Once again a big thank-you to all at Benrath who made us feel incredibly welcome. We look forward to seeing them all for the 2005 HoRR.

Weekly Stuff, 11/10/04

Dear all,

Lots more bits so here goes...

NEW MOBEY...

Please note that my mobile number has now changed to XXXXX XXX XXX.

RACING...

Four Cygnet boats raced in Saturday's Pairs Head. Two S2 2-, one VetB 2- and a MxS3 2x. All crews did well in what were apparently very bad conditions.

One Cygnet 4+ and a composite Cygnet/BBLRC 4x also raced the Rhine Marathon in Düsseldorf on Saturday. Both recorded good times with the 4+ coming third in the open sweep class and winning bronze medals.

TRAINING...

This week:

Would all those eating after circuits on Thursday please let Tammy know.

AVAILABILITY...

Please let me know by Wednesday at the latest if you want to race the 4s or Vet 4s heads on 6/7 November. Selection will take place on Thursday. If you don't tell me you want to race then you won't be racing.

BIRC...

Takeup for the Indoor Rowing Champs has not been all I'd hope for. Please let David French know by the end of this week if you are interested.

THE SHED...

Will be officially opened by Gillian Lindsay (Sydney quad silver medallist) on Sunday 17th at 12:30. The shed is still in need of another coat of paint and again volunteers are required next Saturday after outings to finish it off. We'd appreciate any help that people could give.

EIGHT...

The Ladies are trialling a Fillippi 8+ over next weekend. It's going to be stored in the aisle on the left side of the boathouse. Please take care if moving boats around it.

I'll be down on Tuesday so hopefully see lots of you then.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Cygnet Weekly News, 04/10/04

Dear all,

This week...

Caveat: because both Marj and I are away at the Rhine Marathon next weekend outings on Saturday and Sunday may be a little uncoordinated. If those of you not racing in the Pairs Head would like to turn up at the usual times I'm sure some kind of outing can be arranged and if not there's always the tank or the ergo!!!

Rowers Revenge...

Firstly well done to the 12 Cygnet and BBLRC members (plus assorted relatives/friends) who competed in the Rowers Revenge triathlon in Marlow on Sunday. The 4k ergo, 25k cycle and 7.5k run in the p*****g rain was not fun, the post-event pizza and beer were better. I've put all our times on the Triathlon xls on the Ergo page of our website and full results can be found here http://www.rowersrevenge.co.uk/ and http://www.mikrotime.com/triathlon/mrctri04.html. Professional photos of very amateur triathletes can also be found at www.prosportphotos.com.

Availability...

Can everyone who would like to race in the following events please let me know ASAP (this includes all the new guys too). Also let me know if your preference is to row or scull:

As you know winter land training starts this evening at the boathouse. For those that didn't receive it I've attached the training plan for the period until Xmas.

Pairs Head...

Good luck to the two Cygnet pairs and two Cygnet composite crews racing in the Pairs Head next Saturday. The draw, etc. can be found here http://www.pairshor.btinternet.co.uk/.

Theresa Salter is looking for 2/3 volunteers to be on car-parking duty between 10-2 on Sat 9th for the Pairs Head? If they could contact her, she'll give them instructions. Theresa.Salter@lbhf.gov.uk.

Rhine Marathon...

Also good luck to the Cygnet 4+ and Cygnet/BBLRC composite 4x racing in next Saturday's Rhine Marathon. Triathlons, marathons, surely I'm getting too old for this kind of thing...

The Training Shed...

Thanks to all those that helped put the first coat of paint on the newly erected Shed. I'm sure we'd all agree that it looks fantastic and it'll be great for both clubs to be able to train in a purpose built space rather than cramped into their respective changing rooms. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 on the 17th October (to coincide with the Pairs Head prize giving) all are welcome - apparently there's a Captains Invitation Ergo Challenge (with beer).

For those that didn't receive it I've attached the training plan for the period until Xmas.

I'll be down Tuesday for the ergos. See you then.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Rowers Revenge, 03/10/04

Well training for it wasn't much fun and doing it proved to be very painful indeed, but all 13 Cygnet and BBLRC members who started managed to finish it and then wolf down lots of pizza, pasta and beer afterwards so it was probably a great success all things considered.

Times can be found in the triathlon xls over on the left and I for one am glad that training will now take place mainly sitting on a little plastic seat whilst pulling a chain vigorously towards me. Cycling and running, pah!

Birthday Cake for Tea, 27/09/04

Infact no, it was actually a birthday cake for T. Happy birthday T.

End of Season Musings, 26/09/04

Huge thanks to Marj for organising what turned out to be a fantastic EoS dinner in Kensington and to Geordie for not organising a very well attended Waddle which saw most members arrive with 6 pints and a gold-based short inside to appease any pre-speech nerves. Dancing went on until 1am at the restaurant and members of both clubs were spotted forlornely wandering up and down Kensington High Street in the small hours looking for somewhere to to on to - give them a few years and they'll catch on to the secret that we over 30s know - BED IS BETTER!

If you'd like to re-live the "presentation" then see below. Pomp & Circumstance #1 is a prerequisite!

Cygnet EoS Dinner Speech
Mike Collier, 25/09/04

Ladies and gentlemen,

I've been a very, very bad captain. I've been so busy at work over the last couple of weeks that I haven't had time to write a speech.

[Pause]

However, just before I left home this evening I happened to glance at our website where I found a brand-new blog entry entitled End-of-Season Musings, 25th September 2004, so I printed it off, put it in my pocket and, if you'll forgive me, will read it to you all tonight in lieu of a speech - it's better than nothing after all.

End-of-Season Musings, 25th September 2004

[Dave Gledhill]

[Dave to lie on his back and pretend to sleep]

It is autumn and everything is peaceful in the little Chiswick boathouse we know so well.

The boathouse captain awakes, sits up slowly, yawns, stretches, scratches himself inappropriately and thinks [Dave line 1 - see below]. So he went out and bought a toaster for the boathouse.

On his way through the clubroom to plug in the toaster he looks down at the floor and thinks to himself [Dave line 2]. So he goes out, buys and installs a wooden floor in the clubroom.

When he's finally plugged in the toaster he looks round and thinks to himself [Dave line 3]. So he goes out, buys and installs a new kitchen in the boathouse.

As he eats his dry, dry toast he is overcome by a sudden thirst. [Dave line 4], he thinks. So he walks into the bar, gets his drink and starts to look around. A few months later the boathouse bar is completely refurbished with stripped pine, ambient lighting, relaxing sofas and large capacity wine glasses for Barnes Bridge Ladies.

Then he looks at his tummy and thinks [Dave line 5]. He wanders out of the boathouse, looks around and on Monday morning after many months of work the training shed arrives.

I'm sure the boathouse captain would agree that all of these boathouse accomplishments (and more besides) involved huge contributions from many members of both clubs but, for really taking care of business over the last 12 months, the Do Something Dave Award for 2004 goes to the man with the endlessly changing plan - Dave Gledhill.

[Simon French and Steve Keating]

Winning your novice pot is tough. Winning at S2 is tough. Rowing square blade in a single scull is tough. Rowing is tough.

Qualifying for the Goblets at Henley, the premier pairs event in the country, is a fantastic achievement for any club oarsmen.

To then win on the Thursday, row past Old Blades on the Friday when both clubs were there in force and lose to the eventual Goblets winners and current Olympic bronze medallists really adds icing to the cake.

Unfortunately neither of them can be with us tonight, Steve's on his honeymoon and Simon will be looking at himself in a mirror somewhere, but please put your hands together anyway for the Cygnet Crew of the Year, Steve Keating and Simon French.

[The Ute]

Driving the Ute is a bit like making love to a beautiful Barnes Bridge Lady. Both need filling with over-priced liquids before they'll do anything; both are a bit cold when you first lay your hands on them; and both will transport you to St. Neots and back if handled right.

The Ute, or pick-up truck for those of us resolutely sticking in the Northern Hemisphere, has taken both clubs to 19 regattas over the last year, not to mention the innumerable trips to the cash and carry for beer, wine and chocolate and the council dump with large domestic refuse. It really is worth its weight in gold.

We are very lucky to have her at our disposal and I understand that the boathouse exec is now in final negotiations to buy the Ute for our use all the time.

For his generosity in both lending us the Ute whenever we've needed it, and also for allowing the Boathouse Exec to purchase it at what is an incredible discount we should all thank Iain Golder.

And because he will no longer have the Ute at home I've bought him a small replacement.

Thank you Golder.

[Kangaroo Court]

Although generally it's been a law abiding year at Cygnet, we haven't all been good boys, have we...

Would everyone please rise.

Cygnet's Kangaroo Court is now in session. The honourable Judge Collier presiding...

Please be seated.

[Pause]

Would Andy Naylor, Neil Pickford, Nick Wyatt and David French please stand and face the bench.

Gentlemen the charge against you is straightforward.

You are accused of, in the space of four weeks, accumulating more points than the captain has managed in six years of rowing.

Do you understand the charge?

How do you plead?

[Guilty]

Thank you for your honesty gentlemen.

Your sentence to be completed immediately is to finish the drink that is in front of you [wait] then to finish the drink of the person directly opposite you [wait] and then to replace both drinks at your own expense. You may sit down.

[Pause]

Would Ian, also known as Geordie, Stephenson, please stand and face the bench.

Mr. Stephenson, you are accused of falsifying an official correspondence from the Amateur Rowing Association. Do you recognise the following?

From: The ARA To: The Captain, Cygnet RC

Dear Captain,

We have recently been contacted by Tim Foster, coach of the University of London Rowing Club, with regard to the use of the Cygnet launch and the disregard for other river users.

The ARA and indeed the PLA take these matters very seriously and would wish for the practise of washing down rowing boats to cease forthwith.

I trust the matter is now resolved.

Signed The ARA.

[Pause]

Further you are charged with subjecting the poor Cygnet captain to some four weeks of acute emotional distress as he fretted at every moment in case the club's chairman, secretary or treasurer were to find out about said complaint and eject him from the captaincy and/or from the club.

[Pause]

And further you are charged with informing said captain that it was all a bit of a wind up in a setting and amongst such a group of peers that his intelligence and street-savvy might be called into question.

Do you understand the charges?

How do you plead?

[Guilty]

Mr Stephenson, forgery is a particularly heinous crime. Your sentence will therefore take this into account. Please finish the drink that is in front of you [wait] then finish the drink of the person on your right [wait] then finish the drink of the person on your left [wait] and then replace all three drinks at your own expense. You may sit down.

That completes this session of the Cygnet Kangaroo Court.

[Chris & Marj]

As anyone who has been a member for any length of time knows the honour boards in the bar listing captains as far back as 1890 do not give a true reflection of who runs our club.

Everybody at Cygnet holds down a demanding job (with the obvious exception of Nick Rowett). What that means is that no one person has the time to do everything a strong team is required.

When I started my year Chris and Marj were both old hands at the captaincy lark. They'd spent many long months getting Steve Keating exactly where they wanted him; only to find that he'd decided not to do a second year as captain and they were lumbered with me.

[I suspect that by now they've got me where they want me too.]

If I can be sincere for a moment, I would like to thank them; both personally and on behalf of everyone who's rowed at Cygnet this year for their tireless work and their boundless enthusiasm. The state of the rowing club at the moment is largely down to their efforts and I have two personal awards to present to them which I hope they will keep as reminders of a very good year.

Please put your hands together for the vice and deputy captains. Chris and Marj.

[Neil Pickford]

Being part of a rowing club doesn't mean that your work should stop as soon as your feet hit the bank. There are always jobs to do around the boathouse and away at regattas; and if we all spent a bit of time doing them then the load would be light indeed. But...

If you want boats trailed to a regatta, someone to run circuits, a barbecue lit or some new lockers ordered then who you gonna call?

If you want a cup of tea at St. Neots, a knobbly knee put through the hull of a boat or a delicate (almost feminine) touch to repair that same hull then who you gonna call?

And most importantly if you want a pint of beer in the boathouse bar then who you gonna call?

For everything he has done for Cygnet off the water over the past 12 months, the winner of the Club Man of the Year award is...

Neil Pickford.

[Nick Wyatt]

In a club our size there isn't much room for prima-donnas. The perfect Cygnet (at least from my point of view) can pull huge ergs, row both sides, scull, steer, cox, stroke, barbecue and not be afraid of putting a bit of bleach down the toilets.

As we can see by looking round this room, the perfect Cygnet doesnt yet exist, but...

[Pause - get Land of Hope and Glory going]

For putting 110% into land and water training all year, jumping into boats and racing with anyone he's asked to, knocking off marathons and rowathons for fun and (most importantly) allowing himself to be the butt of my many unfunny jokes - the final award of the night, which is Cygnet Oarsman of the Year, goes to...

Nick Wyatt.

[Thunderous applause - Nick stays by me, give him the Cygnet Rowing Song and wait for the right moment]

Would all Cygnets members please rise and face Chiswick...

[Nick recites the Cygnet rowing song to the refrain of LoH&G - see below]

Thank you Nick. Inspiring, I'm sure you all agree.

[Toast]

Would everybody please stand and join me in a toast...

[Wait for it]

Barnes Bridge Ladies and Cygnet Rowing Clubs.

[And Relax - it's all over!]

The Cygnet Rowing Song

To be recited by Oarsman of the Year, Nick Wyatt with Elgar's Pomp & Circumstance March #1 (Land of Hope and Glory) in the background.

[Nick please read slowly and with true feeling, live the dream!]

Drive it through, drive it through
Keep your blade-work keen and true
Hands away and slowly with your slide

[Pause]

Reach right out, full of ease
Keep your body between your knees
Cut the dash and make it more a glide

[Pause]

You've got to pick your catch up hard and fast
And drive it through in one

[Pause]

You've got to concentrate upon your work
And half your work is done

[Pause]

Cheer up lads you've won the race
See that smile on cox'uns face
Att-a-boy you're victors

EASY ALL!

Dave Gledhill's Little Script

[Dave - please read each line in turn when prompted]

Line 1:

Hmmm, what I'd really like after a HARD morning of COXing SEXY Barnes Bridge Ladies crews is a nice piece of HOT buttered toast.

Line 2:

Hmmm, this carpet looks rather tatty and I do like the FEEL of a nice HARD wooden floor beneath my feet.

Line 3:

Hmmm, this kitchen is'nt very hygienic and I don't like DIRTY worktops, I like my worktops to be CLEAN when I'm BUTTERING my toast.

Line 4:

Hmmm, I really FANCY an ice-cold lemon Fanta to wash down these horrid dry toast crumbs that are caught DEEP in my THROAT, and perhaps a toffee crisp as a special TREAT too, after all I deserve it.

Line 5:

Hmmm, with all this toast and Fanta and chocolate I'm putting on a bit of weight DOWN BELOW and may need to follow a REGIME of regular, light exercise.

Weekly News, 20/09/04

Dear all,

As we approach the start of a new year I'll be doing a quick audit of those that receive this weekly email. All paid-up club members will continue to get it but anyone who isn't, erm, won't...unless they want to. If you are not a fully paid up member then just let me know that you'd like to continue getting it and I'll keep you on the list. I'll continue to cc our AKRC guests until they move back to their refurbished Hammersmith palace.

Sculling Camp...

The week long camp down at the bungalow an Hamhaugh Island was a great success. Real men can now square blade singles, feet out, up and down The Cut for fun - slightly more woosie men can't. Around 25 scullers from both clubs attended the Saturday night BBQ and we had (I believe) a record number of capsizings with several people going in twice and one BBLRC member being offered beer as consolation by the two fishermen who reeled her in. As always both Chris and I would like to thank everybody who mucked in to make it the success it was, particularly Marj, Neil and Dave Gledhill for doing the boats, and Esme and Sara for doing the food. Heart-shaped burgers made from freshly ground topside really do hit the spot.

This week...

Normal triathlon training tonight with a 4k ergo and two-bridge run. The rest of the week can be used for quiet contemplation of ergo tests to come or you could head to the boathouse and do a bit of light exercise. You know it makes sense.

EoS Dinner...

Next Saturday night is the traditional EoS Dinner. It will be preceded by a Waddle. Details will be forwarded later in the week.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Bristol Ross Report, 08/09/04

Thanks to Neil Pickford for the report and photos from Bristol and Ross.

The Bank Holiday Weekend saw a dedicated hardcore make the long trip west for the season's last Hurrah! and it went a little something like this...

A 6am start on Sunday morning paid dividends as the fleet had a smooth, easy run down the M4 arriving in Bristol with plenty of time to spare. First on the water was Dr John Marks in his Novice single in what he himself described as a comedy race. Several lengths up as he powered past the cheering crowds, the good Dr caught not one, but two crabs. After disengaging himself from one of the huge marker bouys he reset his trusty steed, gave his adoring fans a grin and a wink and powered off again towards the finish. Despite losing much of his substantial lead, John had the good fortune that his opponent was also have "bouy issues" and finished 2 lengths up.

Bouyed [sic.] by Cygnets initial success, the Senior 2 pair of Wyatt and Pickford took to the water and soon discovered why the singles were having such a hard time. The water was shocking with a strong head wind blowing slightly from strokeside pinning them broadside onto the starting pontoon as they crossed the course. In the windy conditions the starter was keen to get crews away, so ignoring all hands up, she started the race with both boats unhappy with their alignment. Naturally the crews got no further than the wind before they came together and the race had to be stopped. Back to the start for an official warning and the Cambridge '99 crew got off much better from the restart with Cygnet still prefering that lane to their own. Despite winning the buoy count as both crews bounced down the course the Cygnet pair's faster on-the-water speed prevailed in a good final push to take it by 2 feet. This set things up nicely for an all Cygnet Semi.

Dr Marks went back on the water for his semi-final but was less sucessful, losing by a couple of lengths. Obviously disappointed to lose the race John was happy to have got through a round in such testing conditions in only his second regatta in a single. Keep up the good work John.

The Cygnet 'B' Pair of Wallace and Stevenson arrived late and hungover but hit fewer buoys then the 'A' crew taking the Senior 2 pairs semi-final on the line by an official verdict of two feet. A bemused Cygnet 'A' bowman could only conclude that there must be a stagger on the finish having called another very fast final push for home. They were slightly mollified that at least they wouldn't have to take a pair back out for the final in the fast deteriorating conditions.

The Novice double of Marks and Burrows did have to brave the waves however and despite being a scratch crew easily won their heat thanks to some calm steering work by Matt in the bows. So two Cygnet boats in finals then, could the Senior 2 coxed IV comprising both pairs make it a third?

Er, no. Our scratch crew had a reasonable row in really crappy water but were no match for a 4 college composite from Cambridge. Bloody students!

That composite had kept us waiting on and off the water for over an hour. The unfortunate consequence of such a late running race was that Cygnet 'B' now had to go straight back onto the water for their Senior 2 pairs final. Usually this could be seen as a good thing, well warmed up etc but I think that it would be fair to say that stroke was still rather comming to terms with the previous evening's meeting with Auntie Stella (Artois). They ran out of puff in the final third being beaten by Newark (who had beaten IC in their semi), the verdict: easily.

The novice double also failed to emulate their semi-final form and so the Cygnet trailer and trusty old blue ute were able to wend their way up the M5 to Ross arriving with plenty of daylight left to pitch the tents.

It's important to note that our 11 strong entourage went to the Royal in Ross for a rather civilised dinner followed by a pint or two in the pub before retiring to their tent and to their dreams at about 11.30. Except of course the traditional Ross carnage was raging outside, with generators, bonfires, big stereos and screaming girlies making sleep about as likely as a considerate IC coxswain. We're a more mature club these days we need our sleep. The generator stopped at about 4am apparently. Bloody Students!

Bank Holiday Monday dawned clear and sunny but with a biting wind blowing down the course. The Cygnet 'B' pair were first on and got so far ahead by the bridge that they were cruising home at half pressure before suddenly realising the extent of the stagger on the finish. A big final ten saw them squeeze home by half a length. Never in doubt.

Then things all got a bit weird.

Cygnet 'A' who had a bye in the first round were preparing for their firt race when the news came through that their second round opponents had scratched. Then a call for "a Cygnet representative to registration" resulted in the 'B' crew's next opponents, Newark, having had a status change at Ross the day before, having to scratch. So both crews through to another all Cygnet semi despite having only raced a total of one race between them all morning!

A third call for "a Cygnet representative to registration" was answered by Matt. He arrived back in camp, looking pensive, to report that Cygnet had been given an Official Warning for up- ending two portaloos the night before. Marj, in her capacity as Deputy Captain, went ballistic before regaining her composure and setting off for registration to lay down the Law. To cut a long story short it would be fair to say that Ross fought the Law and the Law won. Black Sheep were next to be accused and they threatened to boycott the rest of the regatta. I don't know if the culprits were eventually reprimanded but it's probably fair to blame the Bloody Students!

Our club's reputation restored, racing resumed with the much anticipated Cygnet/Cygnet Senior 2 pairs semi-final, yesterday's beaten finalist (B) on the far side with the young pretenders (A) on the club side. Another fast talking starter caught the 'A' crew still trying to get aligned and the 'B' crew got two lenghts up by the stride. 'A' recovered their rhythm and were right back in it under the bridge. However Wyatt had underestimated the bend and drifted into the 'B' lane, the umpire screaming blue murder at him as he bore down on 'B'. Dispite regaining his lane as they went past 'B', Wyatt had forced Walace very wide and into the path of the on-coming bank. You'll all be very pleased to hear that the RG Benrath, our glorious Henley coxless pair, was disentangled from the tree with nothing more than dirty bows and dirty looks. The result stood (not rowed out) and the 'B' crew graciously accepted the apologies of the 'A' crew. Never let it be said that Cygnet don't know how to entertain the crowd.

Next the Novice double took to the water with positions swapped from yesterday giving Dr Marks responsibility for steering the bend. They won well, looking good in the process. Two boats into finals again.

The Senior 3 coxed IV with Marks in for Naylor at bow had yet another bye in the first round but couldn't replicate the form that saw them win three pots over the summer. The post mortem of a rather frenetic preformance concluded that " We're always crap in the first race, we need a scrappy race to get settled, we didn't need that bye". Quite so Dr French, quite so.

Meanwhile the BBLRC Novice VI had also had "a bit of a shocker" in their semi after a (another!) bye had let them have a lie in. Fortunately their oppo. weren't good enough to take advantage and they also proceed to the final.

It is only fair to pass quickly over the double's final. Let's just say that they save their worst 'till last. Verdict: easily.

The ladies however, having got so close in the last few regattas, did save their best 'till last and having learnt from their scrappy semi, powered home by several lengths to win their novice pot. A great result well earnt and congratulations to (from bow) - Charlotte, Poppy, Annabel, Sarah and Dave.

So could Cygnet 'A' match the girls success and sneak a win at the last? Unfortunately not. Despite probably their best race together as a pair and a beautifully steered course by Wyatt they were out-classed by a couple of monsters from Southampton (who also won the S2 double), losing the final by a length and a half.

It's bloody hard work at Senior 2 boys, isn't it?

So there you go, the end of the season and a long drag back up the M4. Thanks to everyone for making it another enjoyable West Country adventure.

Neil.

Weekly Bits, 07/09/04

Dear all,

A busy weekend of weddings saw many members of both clubs at Steve and Helen's wedding in Newport Pagnell on Saturday and Nathan and Sara's wedding in Wandsworth on Sunday. Our thanks, congratulations and best wishes to the two latest BBLRC/Cygnet married couples.

With nearly 60 tickets sold the EoS dinner is proving to be very popular. There's still some space so if you'd like to attend on the evening of the 25th please contact Marj as soon as possible. It goes without saying that there will be a preceding Waddle. Geordie will be Waddle Captain for the night. Lordy lordy!

A reminder to all that the boats required for the sculling camp will be going to the bungalow in Sunday 12th and remaining there for the week so there will be no Cygnet singles in the boathouse (we'll also be taking a quad and some doubles). If you want to go for a scull between the 12th and 19th then you are welcome at the bungalow at any time. Just give us a call.

THIS WEEK...

I'm aware that training is a little unstructured at the moment but it is important for everyone who has worked so hard for the last 11 months to have a break and enjoy some recreational paddling (or indeed some time off). Structured winter training will begin again at the start of October with weekend rowing and sculling and mid-week land training including ergo tests which give me cramps just thinking about them.

Think that's the lot!

w/Rgds, Mike.

Weekly News, 01/09/04

Dear all,

Thanks to Marj for keeping the communications going while I've been away. As mentioned we popped over to Athens to watch a bit of low-quality rowing. It all went very well.

Things are pretty quiet around the boathouse but here's some things to think about...

(1) Sculling camp which officially runs the w/e of the 18th/19th but all boats will be going on the 12th for an advance party. We have the bungalow all week so anybody who wants to come down one evening or overnight is more than welcome. Just let Marj and I know so we can make arrangements.

(2) The EoS Dinner is on the evening of the Saturday 25th. See Marj for tickets. Apparently some plonker gets to make a very long, dull speech so tomatoes bought about now should be nice and ripe by then.

(3) The first events of the head season are fast approaching. Both the pairs head and the Rhine marathon are on the 9th of October. We know of 2 crews for the Rhine but if you want to do either then please let me know as soon as possible and we'll allocate boats and arrange entries accordingly.

(4) Speaking of entries several people still owe me money. Please take a look at the spreadsheet and pay up. Going forward (because I have got sick of chasing) we won't be entering people into races unless the money is already in my bank account so can everyone who wants to race between now and the eights head please get ahead by say £50.

(5) Monday nights are still triathlon nights.

(6) On a point of safety, as the nights are now drawing in all boats taken out in the week should be back within 10 mins of sunset. Sunset times can be found on the BBC website. It's 7:43 tonight (sadly).

(7) On the 1x front, both the 300 Club and Friends are back in action (thanks to Marj and Corporal Gledhill). Cygnets has a bit of a leak and a dodgy shoulder at present so please use the other 2 boats in preference in the short term.

Think that's it. I'll be down tomorrow. Hopefully see some people then. Have several new and excruciating ergo workouts planned for October.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Weekly News, 19/08/04

Dear all

Just the usual update from the captaincy on events past and future. While our captain witnessed the spectacular win of the Coxless Four in Athens, the ladies went to Oxford last weekend and managed to win a S4 4+ pot - well done to Elizabeth, Robin, Stephanie and T, coxed by Tina.

TRAINING

The usual: a selection of oarspeople trained on Monday, 4k on the erg followed by the two-bridges run. Outings as usual on Tuesday and Thursday. At the weekend, outings will take place as usual on Saturday, but with the regattas on Sunday and Monday, any other outings will have to be agreed on in advance with potential crewmates.

BOATHOUSE

Discerning Cygnets have noticed that progress has been made with the concrete base for the shed, in addition to the new path and drains. The shed is scheduled to be delivered and put up end September, in time for the Pairs Head. Subsequent to that, the shed will be prepared for occupation by our ergs and weights. We do plan to provide proper weights machines in the future, but if you have any (unused) equipment at home that could be of use in the meantime, please contact Dave Gledhill, the Boathouse Captain (email address in cc:box).

REGATTA WEEKEND

This weekend will see a selection of Cygnets row at Bristol Avon Regatta on Sunday 29 August, and at Ross Regatta on Monday 30 August. Just an indication that, contrary to popular belief, Cygnet keeps rowing till the end of the season. So if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, cheers are always welcome. Our first race is at 10:06 at Bristol (draw is attached). We have entered two S2 pairs, a S2 coxed four, a novice double and a novice single for Bristol, and two S2 pairs, a S3 coxed four and a novice double for Ross - the draw will hopefully be sent by snail mail, because Ross are not in the 21st century yet. At Ross we will be joined by crews from BBLRC.

END OF REGATTA SEASON

The Gloucester/Bristol/Ross regatta weekend is traditinally the end of our regatta season, and training for regattas will therefore cease, making way for longer distance head-races training. If you don't have anything to do, feel free to show up at the usual times at the weekends and go for a bimble on the river.

UPCOMING EVENTS to put in your diary:

That's all for now - please don't hesitate to contact me if you have comments, questions, or want to order EOS Dinner tickets! Mike is back next week, and will surely tell us all about his adventures in Greece in his weekly email and on our website.

Marj.

Weekly Bits, 09/08/04

Dear all,

RACING

Well done to Neil Jackson who won in his composite VetE/F double at Henley Town and Visitors last Saturday. Also well done to Nathan Wallace who (although rowing for London RC) is a Cygnet member and won the S2 2- event at Maidenhead on Saturday.

AUGUST REGATTAS

With availability not great in August we have decided not to attend Peterborough Summer or Oxford City (although a vets crew may go). With that in mind the last regattas of the season will be Gloucester, Bristol, Ross over the August bank holiday w/e. At the moment we only have a few available for this although probably enough to create a couple of competitive crews. If you would like to do GBR and haven't let us know already then please do so.

BUNGALOW BBQ

The annual barbecue will be held at the bungalow this coming Saturday. Please let Ronnie know if you intend to attend and haven't already told him.

THIS WEEK

THE NEXT FEW WEEKS

A certain sleepiness has started to descend over our favourite boathouse which is as it should be at the tail-end of what has been a very good year for the club. Hopefully the triathlon training will keep most of us focussed on keeping fit but please do keep coming down at the usual times and keep paddling - hard winter training and cold, dark nights will be on us soon enough.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Water Sports, 07/08/04

Forwarded from the erstwhile captain of AKRC (AKA our new best friends) who aren't taking complete (sexual) novices while their boathouse is being restructured...

Hi Mike,
I hope you don't mind me emailing you - I was given your email address by Nick H*****d from AK because I'd like to have a bash at some water sports. I've recently moved into the area and horse riding used to be my thing, but there aren't many horses in this neck of the woods so although I'm a complete novice, I'd really like to get invovled. Could you possibly direct me to a website to have a look at or a convenient time to pop in if you are recruiting complete, but enthusiastic, beginners?
Name Withheld.

Well it made me laugh anyway.

St. Neots Saturday Winners, 07/08/04

What a lovely picture of (clockwise from top left) Mike, BigDaveFrench at Hotmail dot Com (I kid you not), Esme and Theresa who stormed home to win the mixed S4 4x event by all of 1 length. No buoys were harmed during the race although some end-of-day detergent action might have killed a couple of sticklebacks (to the horror of the aforementioned BigToughDaveFrench). Where do we find 'em?

Weekly Update, 02/08/04

Dear all,

SATURDAY'S CLUB REGATTA

Around 35 competitors from both clubs turned out to make this year's Club Regatta a resounding success. Esme and I had decided to make most of the events mixed and to try and select crews which would produce close, exciting finishes. Some of the races really were down to the wire, with Golda-Man (for example) coming second by 2 feet not once but twice! The blue-riband event saw three mixed eights thundering through Barnes Bridge and finishing within a length of each other at the flagpole. Individually many pots were won but ultimately rowing was the winner!

SATURDAY'S CARIBBEAN BBQ

The club regatta was followed almost immediately by a summer BBQ with a Caribbean flavour. Marj and John did stirling work behind the bar and Nick produced a meat feast on the BBQ. The Geordie inspired bonfire roared to at least 40 feet and (fortunately) the marquee didn't melt. I left at 10pm as I'm not as young as I used to be but a hipper, younger crowd kept things going until 3pm and I have heard through the grapevine that some inter-club petting was observed. I cannot encourage this type of behaviour because, as a long line of Cygnet captains know, "fraternisation with BBLRC can seriously effect your ergo score".

THIS WEEK

w/Rgds, Mike.

Weekly Update, 26/07/04

Dear all,

ST NEOTS

A great weekend at St. Neots with only the odd downpour saw much competitive racing, 2 mixed quad wins and a fresh tranche of Barnes Bridge Ladies lose their novice status. Cygnet won on Saturday in a Mixed S4 4x containing me (bow), David French, Esme Wingrove (BBLRC) and Theresa Salter (BBLRC). On Sunday the winning quad was propelled by me (bow), Iain Golder, Esme Wingrove (BBLRC) and Theresa Salter (BBLRC). It was also great to see John Marks competing for the first time at novice single and Matt Barrows and Andy Naylor in a novice double. Our S4 4+ of John Marks (bow), Chris Dunhill, David French, Matt Barrows and Marj Israel (cox) rowed really well through two heats to get to the final of Sunday's event, only to be pipped at the post by Peterborough.

I'd like to thank everyone who made the weekend such a success. The marquee proved a fantastic purchase and everybody pitched in when required. Attached is a photo of the team who stayed to the bitter end and got everything sorted. I was very proud.

THIS WEEK

CAPTAINCY

You'll all be pleased to hear that the incumbent captaincy were given another crack at the whip at last Tuesday's OGM. Practise makes perfect I guess.

THE BOATHOUSE

Be aware that the builders are starting today. They will be mending the drains, replacing the footpath at the side of the boathouse and then laying the base for the sculling shed. Things will be a bit messy in the garden for a few weeks but please bear with it. It'll be fantastic to be able to winter-train in our own facility.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Underwater, 20/07/04

Congratulations to Dr. John Marks who, last night, became the latest member of the Cygnet Underwater Sculling Club. Apparently he "let go of one of his blades" whilst turning the boat causing the craft to rotate in a wholly unexpected direction.

This on the same week that the captain's report to the OGM stated "all the active squad are now competent in singles". Ah, the irony.

Weekly, 20/07/04

Dear all,

MOLESEY REGATTA WIN

Congratulations to our VetD 4- who beat Poplar District & Blackwall RC on Saturday. Crew from bow was Nick Wylie, Andy Rawkins, Paul Rawkins and Noel Davison.

THE BOATHOUSE

New lockers and a shower bench have been installed and a general tidy has taken place in the changing rooms. The old lockers have been taken outside, opened with a pick axe and lots of great stuff has been found within. An inventory (with photos) will be on the website soon!

THIS WEEK

THE OGM

As you know, the OGM is on Tuesday at 8pm. Amongst other things next years captaincy will be elected. Find attached my report for the year gone and some objectives for next year. These will form the basis of my short report to the OGM. Please bring any questions/comments.

CLUB REGATTA

Just a reminder this will be taking place from midday on Saturday 31st July. This will be followed by a Caribbean BBQ with "tropical" fruit punch.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Insufferable, 14/07/04

One of the disadvantages in being captain of Cygnet is that occasionally you can end up with oarsmen who have spent too long at university and have subsequently been lead to believe that thinking all the time about lots of things other than rowing is a good thing. One case in point is our own Dr. David French who's Ph.D makes him an expert on the migration patterns of Tideway midges but fortifies him with no practical advice on how one might stop them biting. Anyway, highlights from his response to the weekly update below are included...

Weekly Update, 13/07/04

Dear all,

Lots going on this week so read carefully. Particularly next weekend's outing times which have been changed to allow the captains a lie in. A couple of them deserve it.

RACING...

A successful Kingston Regatta saw another pot for Cygnet in Saturday's S34+ event. It was qualifying and the crew are now up from S4 to S2 standard in just 3 regattas (they won this one by a couple of feet which wasn't good for my blood pressure). Details on the website http://www.cygnet-rc.org.uk/.

THIS WEEK...

NEXT SATURDAY...

Our VetD 4- (dream boys crew) compete for the first time this regatta season. They have a straight final at 17:12 against Poplar District & Blackwall RC. We wish them good luck.

Many of the girls will also be at Molesey and we are going to take the opportunity to have a good tidy of the boathouse, clean and rig our boats, tidy the changing rooms, build some new trestles and do any other odd jobs that need doing. Anybody who can spare a few hours after outings to help will be found appropriate jobs and we intend to lay on some beer and a BBQ to make it all seem less painful. Think "Whistle While You Work" (Snow White) rather than "Chain Gang" (Sam Cooke).

CLUB REGATTA...

Another reminder for this event from around midday on the 31st July. Pots have now been ordered so get in training for mixed eights, fours, doubles and handicapped singles. Any member of Cygnet present is liable to be selected so everyone should make sure they bring appropriate kit.

ARA INSTRUCTORS AWARD...

Find attached a notice advertising a forthcoming instructors award course to be held at our boathouse. Cygnet/BBLRC members can jump the queue if they contact Simon Blackburn quickly. Our honourable treasurer has mentioned that club funds could be made available to subsidise the course for anyone who would subsequently plough what they've learnt back into Cygnet. [Notice removed - ed.]

PARAGLIDING (YEAH RIGHT)...

Ali Elliot and Dave Gledhill circulated the following note late last week and I enclose it here just in case anyone is interested. If you are an active/racing member then please don't go. [Note removed - ed.]

ST NEOTS REGATTA...

The following crews have now been entered for St.Neots and our Boathouse Captain has just purchased a 6m x 3m marquee to take along so the whole experience promises to be a lot of fun.

Many thanks to Marj - this has meant a lot of forms...

SATURDAY

Cygnet

Cygnet/BBLRC Composite:

SUNDAY

Cygnet

Cygnet/BBLRC Composite:

We have two weeks to St.Neots and I think there is potential for some pots amongst this lot. Can everybody make the effort to get down for as many training sessions as possible between now and the 24th/25th.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Kingston's Sunday Boroughs, 11/07/04

Just one crew racing today, an S34+ in a straight 500m final. Unfortunately the guys couldn't pull off another win and came in 3rd behind City of Oxford and Guildford RC.

The quote of the weekend was overheard some time later as everybody pitched in to de-rig and tie boats. Marj (to Andy Naylor) - "Andy, would you mind going and picking up our ARA cards." Andy - "Should I get them from the man with the ARA cards?" We all wish Andy the best of luck with his upcoming chartered accountancy exams.

Cygnet haven't done Kingston Regatta for quite a few years but I think it has proved to be a bit of a hit. A short trail, easy boating, a decent enclosure with London Pride, nice pots and shopping and leisure facilities nearby to keep girlfriends happy.

Lastly a big thank you to everybody who helped with unloading the boats back at the boathouse. Many hands make light work, etc.

Kingston's Saturday Amateurs, 10/07/04

Both clubs attended the Kingston Regattas for the first time over the weekend and apart from the occasional downpour and the frustration of a stolen bag containing a much prized frisbee much fun was had by all. Luckily the sun seemed to shine whenever our boys boated, whilst the heavens opened for the ladies. There is a God after all!

We are told that one of the many advantages of the Kingston Regattas is that you are only a 5 minute walk from a vast John Lewis for shopping and Carluccio's for skinny mocha cappu's and a light lunch (followed by heavy tiramisu). During the day a tent, a pair of trainers, 2 folding chairs, a fishing stool and who knows what else were purchased from the town. I sometimes feel the focus isn't all it should be!

On the water both clubs did well, with BBLRC looking as competitive as they have in ages and Cygnet reaching the heights and plumbing the depths as per usual.

The day's highs revolved around the S34+ which easily won its heat against some students setting up a two-boat final against Guildford. In the closest final of the day both boats were neck-and-neck as they entered the enclosure with our boys pushing to edge fractionally ahead as they crossed the line. The makes 6 from 6 for this crew and takes their combined points tally from 2 to 10 in just three regattas. Crew from bow was Andy Naylor, David French, Nick Wyatt, Neil Pickford, Marj Israel (cox).

Sadly the coxless boats fared less well with steering issues in the S22- of Chris Davidson and Ian Stephenson leading to a 3rd place in their heat and the S24- of Iain Golder, Mike Collier, Ian Stephenson, Nick Wyatt having a race-stopping moment with Staines at which point the umpire awarded the race to Walton who had been quietly keeping out of trouble. To be fair it is a tight course for 3 coxless boats racing abreast but it is still all GoldaMan's fault. Obviously.

Chris Davidson raced well in choppy conditions to come 2nd in his 1x heat and is looking very competitive at S3.

A Plucked Flower, 07/07/04

Young BBLRC novice Poppy Ahern must have been feeling pretty smug on Monday night having completed 4 ergo intervals in record time and then out-sprinting the men's captain at the end of the de-riguer 2-bridge run however, powerful Neptunean incantations were invoked late that same night and young Poppy got her come-uppance the next day when the hand of Poseidon grabbed the pair she was in, pulled it into a tree and slowly turned it over.

Your foil blades weren't much use then, were they?

Viking Invasion, 07/07/04

We were pleased to welcome a touring Danish rowing club (anyone know their name) to our corner of West London last weekend as they completed the final leg of a week-long Oxford to London row.

Like locusts they descended on our beer supplies, even drinking most of that yellow muck that the bar steward keeps for those people who just don't get it. Thankfully they stopped short of raping anf pillaging (I'm told they don't do that anymore).

Infact, as the picture on the right indicates, they were the tidiest campers most of us have ever seen (falling just short of Kenneth Williams).

Weekly News, 05/07/04

Dear all,

RACING...

Once again a big well done to Steve Keating and Simon French in last week's HRR. They are the first Cygnet crew to race at Henley since 1998 and did us all proud by getting through a round before losing to the Goblets eventual winners. It was great for the whole club to see a Cygnet crew racing past Old Blades last Friday and I hope it will enthuse the rest of us to win lots more pots in the final 2 months of the season.

AVAILABILITY...

Please can you let me have your availability for the mixed club regatta to be held at our boathouse on Saturday 31st July. Crews will be selected by both clubs' captains for the following events: mixed 8+, mixed 4+, mixed 2x, handicapped 1x. Food, drink and pewter pots will be on offer in what promises to be a fun event for all.

Also we will be picking crews for St.Neots regatta (24th-25th July) tonight. If your availability has changed (or you haven't given me any) you have until about 8pm to let me know. Our aim is to get everybody at least one row on both days at this away regatta.

THIS WEEK...

w/Rgds, Mike.

Three Colours Blue, 04/07/04

Polychromatic spreadsheet compilation has now reached epidemic proportions at BBLRC with the introduction of a new availability option - unavailable/pregnant. If red indicates non-availability, green represents being available and yellow implies a may be available (must just check that social calendar) what colour do you think represents pregnancy?

That's right - virginal white!

Read It And Weep, 03/07/04

With a Cygnet pair excelling at Henley Royal this week it did the whole club good to read the following snippet in this month's Regatta magazine, page 27, column 3, paragraph 2 - and I quote "Cygnet's S2 coxless 4, a length up against Twickenham in their semi-final cut it too fine and ended up in the bank."

This followed on from a discussion in the preceding paragraph about the infamous Richmond bend, the implication being that the four were hampered by the bank because of taking the tightest of racing lines.

This couldn't have been further from the truth - the boys were a length up having gone the long way round from the start.

Fire that editor!

Weekly News, 29/06/04

Dear all,

First and foremost huge (HUGE) congratulations to Steve Keating and Simon French who qualified last Friday for The Silver Goblets and Nickalls' Challenge Cup for coxless pairs at this year's Henley Royal. The guys first race will be this Thursday when they compete against a pair from the Oratory Cardinals' RC. The Club Historian tells me that they will be the first ever Cygnet pair to race at Henley. Full details of this year's Henley Royal can be found here.

Following on from this don't forget that this coming Friday is our club day at Henley when once again Pat and Peter Sly open their home to members of both clubs for the day. Trains to Henley depart regularly from Paddington Station. Pimms, picnics and big hats are the order of the day.

ALSO a big well done to our Barnes & Mortlake winning S44+ who won through three rounds at Saturday's Richmond regatta to take another win. In the final (apparently) the crews were neck-and-neck at the start of the finishing bend with Cygnet on the outside when Marj "motivated" the boys into a 60 stroke push which saw them cruise to a 2-length lead. I knew those winter ergos would come in useful! Crew from bow was Andy Naylor, David French, Nick Wyatt, Neil Pickford and Marj Israel. This was a qualifying race which means that Andy and David also had the pleasure of losing their novice status.

A very good week for Cygnet!

This Week...

Ordinary General Meeting

Details of the yearly OGM to (amongst other things) elect the captaincy have gone up on the club notice board. The meeting will be on Tuesday 20th July at 8:15pm. Having spoken to Marj and Chris we have decided to put the same captaincy team forward for next year. This doesn't preclude anyone else from standing for any of the three positions if they have the inclination.

Kingston Regatta...

Crew selection for this regatta has been delayed slightly because of the Richmond qualifying win (we have to redo a few sums). Entries will go in later today and an email will follow.

w/Rgds, Mike.

Richmond, 28/06/04

For making winning coxed fours at Richmond regatta...

Ingredients:

...ingredients may change but should conform to the general theme.

Preparation: Almost none.

Cooking time: At least 10 hours.

Method: Make sure that at least half of the crew have only ever won one race before (mixed club regattas excluded) and are rowing at least one class above themselves. Before the race try to get as few outings together as possible and make sure that number two is only rowing on stroke side because he's been told that he has to by the captain. Several members of the crew should arrive by bicycle complaining that it's a bloody long way and that they're already knackered. Row the first heat very badly, in front of at least one member of the club committee who is officiating, but make sure that you still win. Have a huge gap between this heat and the next round to sit around avoiding either the scorching sun or the pouring rain. Eat bananas and flapjack. Discuss the finer point's of passing Lycra clad beauties.

Optional Ingredient: For added spice, get the cox and stroke to leave the regatta (with the ute and trailer) to take two coxless fours to Windsor for repair, uttering the fateful words "we've got three and a half hours, that's plenty of time". These two crew members must get stuck in horrendous traffic taking over half-an-hour to cross the river merely a quarter-of-a-mile from the finish line of the regatta. Ideally there should be three separate occurrences of stationary traffic and a horrific amount of exceptionally bad language from the driver (think opening scene from Four Weddings and a Funeral). Return journey will take half the time but will only leave fifteen minutes until race time (the Cygnet trailer has never moved so nimbly). To achieve this stroke must change into his racing kit whilst sat at a level crossing whilst the rest of the crew start to "get a bit panicky". This will result in stroke having put his body through the armhole of his all-in-one which he won't discover until he is preparing to race. He will have to remove and redress the offending garment on the water, in front of the Orion coxed four marshalling alongside.

Next, row the second heat and win convincingly with the best row of the day. This will be mostly due to Two realising that if he concentrates on his own boat rather than the opposition boat, things will go so much better. Here one or two members of the four must row in a different event in a smaller boat (single scull or pair) and lose.

Another long wait will ensue, whereby more bananas and flapjack should be consumed and the times crossword contemplated. Another round may have to be endured.

The final must be rowed in front of (inebriated) more senior members of the club committee and must be a mini epic with the support at the finish line unable to squeeze a fag paper between them until the last few strokes. The final may be won by rowing through on the Middlesex station, using the inside of the bend to your advantage or by taking the long Surrey station bend with a sixty stroke push for home. Throwing-up may be considered but is not desired as it is unseemly and makes a terrible mess.

Serving suggestion: Best served in Pewter pots with glass bottoms and lids.

Note: This recipe has been successfully by Cygnet crews two years in a row (pun intended).

[Many thanks to Neil Pickford for the above - ed.]

Weekly News, 21/06/04

Dear all,

Racing...

Congratulations to Steve and Simon who qualified for the Elite 2- final at Marlow last weekend http://www.marlowregatta.org.uk/ in a very tough field and are now on their way to the Henley Qualifiers on Friday http://www.hrr.co.uk/thisyear/qualifying/qgoblets.htm. I'm sure everyone joins me in wishing them (and the RG Benrath) the best of luck.

It's Richmond regatta this coming Saturday and 3 Cygnet crews will be racing...

Following Richmond, Kingstons Amateur/Borough and St. Neots are on the horizon. St. Neots will host mixed events and I hope to get at least a couple of mixed crews entered amongst our usual boats. Kingston Borough will see the first appearance of our VetD coxless four this season (and maybe the last). If you haven't given me availability for these regattas or your availability has changed please let me know asap as crews will be entered this week.

Training...

Nick Rowett is booked by members on both Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Training continues as normal with a land/water session on Monday (incorporating novice girls) and normal outings on Tuesday/Thursday. No organised training this coming Saturday (Richmond) but normal rowing on Sunday.

Lockers...

Are arriving imminently. If you currently have one please get it emptied by the 30th June or your kit will go west.

Club Regatta...

This is currently in the planning stage but hopefully will include booze/girls/food and (erm, oh yes) racing. The date for the club regatta will be Saturday 31st July, not Sunday 1st August (as advertised in the recent newsletter).

Think that's about it.

w/Rgds, Mike.

BMI, 14/06/04

Well done to Chris Davidson who popped his novice sculling cherry on Saturday at Barnes & Mortlake International. Much splashing and whooping followed until it finally dawned on Chris that from Sunday he would have to compete at S3. Then he started drinking. Heavily.

Well done also to the S44+ of Marj (cox), Neil Pickford, Nick Wyatt, David French, Andy Naylor who stormed home in a 3-boat final beating Cygnet B and Sons into 2nd and 3rd respectively. The crew won in the Ronnie Lambe and Ronnie was on hand to see the victory, which was nice.

Elsewhere there was some very slow sculling in a very large Bergashell. No animals were harmed.

All In All It's Just Another Brick In The Wall, 24/05/04

Last Saturday's Twickenham regatta saw the boys proving that Cygnet know as many ways to of losing a regatta as there are ways to get out at cricket.

There are the obvious ones, going very, very, very slowly (the novice 2x of Davidson/Collier), lacking a bit of finesse (the senior 3 eight), but pity the poor senior 2 4- which had two of the fastest ergos on bow side but still managed to go in a straight line down a bow side bending course and crash into a wall - all from a length up (as the picture on the right shows). Oh how they laughed.

Sometimes boys, it just ain't your day.

Putney Town Regatta Draw, 12/05/04

The draw for Saturday's PT Regatta is on the web. See our links page (left).

Chiswick Regatta Shots, 12/05/04

Photos from Saturday before last's Chiswick Regatta.

Below are Chris Davidson in N1x; then Andy Naylor (bow), John Marks, David French, Matt Barrows, Marjorie Israel (cox) in N4+; lastly Iain Golder (steers), Pete Leffler, Neil Pickford and Nick Wyatt in S24-.

Do Something Dave, 09/05/04

Picture the scene. A clear, windless, empty weekday on the Thames. Two single scullers paddling strongly, silently with the stream. Their love for their sport and for each other obvious to all by the joyful abandon with which they throw their hearts and lungs into each pleasurable stroke. Then...

Gledhill catches a crab and goes in. Muppet!

A secret he thought he'd take to the grave?

Wallingford Regatta, 07/05/04

Well done to Simon French (bow) and Steve Keating who represented Cygnet at the Wallingford Regatta last Saturday. The pictures below plus others can be found (and purchased by any Barnes Bridge Ladies for whom these two are idols) at www.bigblade.net. Full results can be found on the Wallingford Regatta web site (see our links page).

Henley Anyone, 07/05/04

Your editor was enthused to hear that the BBLRC Henley squad were attending a training camp at Club La Santa on Lanzarote.

Reports that have dribbled in, however, tell a different story. Our favourite quote was "we did an ergo on the first day, but it was very hard so we didn't do another one". There are also some pictures of pool lounging, nightclub dancing, windsurfing and the Danish volleyball squad - which although a sporting activity doesn't appear to me to have any rowing specific benefits.

Pimm's anyone?

Chiswick Regatta Draw, 29/04/04 align=middle>

The draw for next Saturday's Chiswick Amateur Regatta can be found at http://www.quintinbc.net.

Hammersmith Amateur Regatta, 24/04/04

Cygnet entered a novice 4+ and scull in Saturday's opening regatta of the season. No shots were taken of Chris Davidson in the scull but pictured below are (from stroke) Matt Barrows, David French, John Marks and Andy Naylor; the most academically qualified novice crew in the history of Cygnet RC. Chris lost in his heat and the 4+ won their heat by 3 lengths and came 2nd in the final.

Click here for the Hammersmith Regatta website.

Civil Service/Emanuel HoRR Boating Times, 20/03/04

2004 HoRR boating times will be at the end of this temporary link for a while.

Tasty, 14/03/04

Your [overworked, underpaid - ed.] editor received an anonymous email last week informing him of the upcoming BBLRC taster day for new rowers who fancied giving the Bridge a try. It read, simply "we [BBLRC] are running a taster session tomorrow and I have 2 young ladies coming from work, a Dutch girl and a Swedish girl, both early 20's".

Being a relatively senior member of Cygnet I was able to walk unchallenged into the tank whilst 9 or 10 new girls were shown the ropes by some (ahem) older hands. Obviously I made various knowledgable mutterings about stroke length and catch speed as a cover for my real purpose - to spot any new interest for the boys.

I have a feeling we may be seeing some 10mm spanners out over the summer.

Civil Service/Emanuel WHoRR Boating Times, 06/03/04

No	Crew Name				Division	Station	Boating Time
212	BARNES BRI LADIES/PUTNEY TOWN RC 	5		Middx	15:20
79	BARNES BRIDGE LADIES RC 		2		Surrey	14:30
185	BONNER RG/SIEBURGER RV/WASS HON 	4		Surrey	14:45
151	BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY BC A 		4		Surrey	14:45
253	BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY BC B 		6		Surrey	15:05
49	BRISTOL, CITY OF RC A 			1		Middx	14:30
102	BRISTOL, CITY OF RC B 			3		Middx	14:45
186	DRIE PROVINCIEN 			4		Surrey	14:45
148	ETON EXCELSIOR RC B 			3		Middx	14:45
219	ETON EXCELSIOR RC C 			5		Middx	15:20
85	GLOUCESTER RC A 			2		Surrey	14:30
110	GLOUCESTER RC B 			3		Middx	14:45
223	GLOUCESTER RC C 			5		Middx	15:20
37	GROSVENOR RC 				1		Middx	14:30
178	HEREFORD RC A 				4		Surrey	14:45
226	HEREFORD RC B 				5		Middx	15:20
246	HEREFORD RC C 				6		Surrey	15:05
83	LADY MARGARET BC (CAMBS) 		2		Surrey	14:30
260	LANCASTER UNIVERSITY BC 		6		Surrey	15:05
99	LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY BC A 		2		Surrey	14:30
176	LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY BC B 		4		Surrey	14:45
228	LIVERPOOL VICTORIA RC 			5		Middx	15:20
64	MAIDENHEAD RC 				2		Surrey	14:30
161	NORTHAMPTON RC 				4		Surrey	14:45
55	PETERBOROUGH CITY RC 			2		Surrey	14:30
266	ROBINSON COLLEGE BC (CAMBS) 		6		Surrey	15:05
209	ROYAL CHESTER RC 			5		Middx	15:20
147	ST AIDAN'S COLLEGE BC (DURHAM) 		3		Middx	14:45
123	ST CHAD'S COLLEGE BC (DURHAM) 		3		Middx	14:45
153	ST HILD & ST BEDE COLLEGE BC A 		4		Surrey	14:45
242	TEES RC A 				6		Surrey	15:05
247	TEES RC B 				6		Surrey	15:05

Informal Head, 22/02/04

Sadly only 7 Cygnet oarsmen turned up so an 8 wasn't possible. Undaunted we sent a pair and a four to take on the might of Putney Town, Guildford and Sons in their big shiny eights. The course was Chiswick to Hammersmith, the weather wasn't pleasant and the river was busy. Results:

Sons A      8+    12:23
Sons B      8+    12:44
PTRC        8+    13:42
PTRC        4x    13:42
Guildford   8+    14:00
Cygnet      4+    15:04
Cygnet      2-    DNC

You Decide Too, 11/02/04

David French continues his solo challenge to use every crappy ergo in the land (and unfortunately tell us all about it). His latest missive...

I was staying with my [silver haired - ed.] Granny in Scotland, and so yet
again had to hunt out an erg.  Discovered the "National Centre for
Rowing Excellence" in Strathclyde Park, just down the road from Gran.  I
had to fib at the door to get let in (Q: Are you a rower?  A: Er, Yes).
For the record, the National Centre for Rowing Excellence have never
heard of Cygnet.

...and for the record Cygnet have never heard of Excellence.

Meetings, 14/01/04

Two important meetings in the Cygnet calendar are coming up.

The Boathouse Exec AGM is on Sunday 8th Feb at 12:00. Various boathouse posts are up for renewal. Here's the agenda.

The Cygnet AGM follows on Sunday 22nd Feb at 12:00. Again various Cygnet commitee posts are up for a vote. Details to follow.

Please do attend both.

You Decide, 08/01/04

Received today from our very own David French. Loser or winner? You decide...

Did an erg test on Tuesday night - 25min, capped at 24, managed 6899m.

Note that my dedication is such that I did it in a hotel gym whilst in
Leeds.  Not my own hotel gym, oh no.  Had to get the receptionist to
ring around 3 hotels to find one with a rowing machine.  Had to pay for
Day Membership in the Marriott.  Had to use a ropey old machine that
barely sucked the chain back after each stroke.  Had to learn that the
odd porn-star noises that we all make in the boathouse in the last
couple of minutes of a test don't go down wonderfully well in a hotel
gym.

Did get a post-erg-test sauna and Jacuzzi for my troubles though.
Expect to see them at Cygnet soon...

Plum Puds, 04/01/04

Well done to the 18 Cygnets who competed in the last race of 2003 - the Quintin Plum Puds on Sunday 21st December last.

So that the oarsmen rowing in the Cygnet 2nd boat didn't get the hump we decided to name the crews Pomp and Circumstance. [Cygnet 1 was Circumstance - ed.]

Pomp consisted of (from cox) Marj; Neil; Simon Blackburn; Geordie; TPC; John Marks; Pete; GoldaMan and Andy Naylor.

In Circumstance (from cox) Claire; Noel; MikeC; Dave Gavaghan; Wylie The Chairman; Rawkins A; Rawkins P; RduP and Mr. Cox.

Pomp came a close second overall, not quite managing to overhaul an MAABC eight which they had been chasing down the whole course. They won the Plum Puds. Circumstance came in fourth.

We had a few beers at the boathouse and then a harmless pub crawl via Quintin BC aftwerwards. Pete went shopping. The end.