Bless me Father for I have sinned as it has been nearly three weeks since my last blog.
The truth is I've had writers block coupled with a series of late nights, early mornings and tiredness I've not been able to pinpoint one particular subject to write about. So here are a few short things that have been on my mind lately.
Volunteering.
Recently my fiancee and I helped out in an anual event that we have now done for the past three years, The Devizes to Westminster Canoe Challenge
http://www.dwrace.org.uk/ this is how the organisers describe it in their very own words...
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race starts in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishes just downstream of Westminster Bridge in London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948. |
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The race is 125 miles long and has 77 portages. The first 52 miles are along the Kennet and Avon Canal, the next 55 miles are on the River Thames and the final section is on the tidal portion of the Thames. |
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The race is a severe test of skill and stamina which produces a memorable sense of achievement for those successfully completing it. The non-stop version of the race is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world. |
We take part in the finishing stage either helping to get the canoeists out of the water at the end or in the radio comms hut co-ordinating the specialist teams of safety boats, First Aid crew and everything else in-between. Its a big event which is enjoyed by an enormous amount of people.
For us, to volunteer our time and help others for non payment is what we do. The cameraderie of other like minded individuals all joining together to make the event a success is enough of a reward and to see it all come together is quite awesome - although the free bacon butties and steaming cup of coffee by the River Thames as Big Ben strikes a stupid hour on a Sunday morning is not bad either.
Sadly though I feel that this country is divided in two and that the gap is getting wider. There are the do-ers and there are the takers, and it seems to me that more people are now on the take than to give up their spare time for just a few small hours every now and then to help others for a worthwhile cause. Of course there is always the other side of the coin where a large portion of society do volunteer to take part in an activity, whether it is helping out backstage of a theatre through to cleaning a few weeds in a community garden, and to those people you have my admiration. So give yourselves a pat on the back.
Oxford V Cambridge Boat Race
Keeping with the nautical theme did anyone see the farce that was this years Oxford versus Cambridge boat race? Every year the crowds in their thousands line the banks along the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake, joined by millions of others around the world as they watch it live on television. 2012 sees the 158th race which was first started in 1829 and is widely known as being one of the oldest sporting events in the world.
This year started off like so many others in times gone by. The hype, the hysteria and the last minute preparations before the two teams of rowers move up to the start line. Interviews are done with the press, previous champions talk to camera crews and the bantering between the two teams and their rivaling supporters starts to rise.
And then they're off!
Oxford start with a narrow lead but are shortly caught up by Cambridge. The two cox's shout words of encouragement and various demands to get the most out of their teams whilst the crews themselves slog out the battle between their opposite numbers. Concentration, skill, endurance and seven months of hellish training all come down to this very point. They fight. They row. They are in the zone.
Neck and neck they travel, the speed is now increasing as they turn round one bend and then another. Cambridge take the lead but this time Oxford catches them up. More shouting, more encouragement, the excitement is building up. The crowds go wild, screaming from the embankment, people in their homes are shouting at their televisions in support of their team. An ariel shot from an overhead news chopper shows the two teams fighting it out between them still level as they go over the half way mark and then.........
Cambridge stop, their paddles flat in the water. Oxford stop, they too have put their paddles down. What's going on?
The next thing you see is what first appears to be a man overboard, yet he is wearing a full wetsuit. Who is he? Why is he there? And more importantly, what's he up to?
Well the answer to all three is that he's a bit of a plank! A narrow minded protester getting his 15 minutes of fame who will eventually end up one day being subject to a question on Who wants to be a Millionare.
The race starts again from where they started. Over thirty minutes have gone by and the crews are tired, wet and cold. They start again but barely ten seconds into the race Oxford lose a paddle due to being too close to Cambridge's boat. Now, seven men are doing the work of eight but of course its all in vain as Cambridge being at full strength and speed zoom off to the finish line and become victorious.
A minute or two later and Oxford cross the line also. Exhausted they slope back into their seats and try to work out what has happened over the previous hour. However, all is not well as their bowman Dr Alexander Woods is seen collapsed and has to receive medical attention. He is taken to Charing Cross hospital but was allowed home the following day.
As a mark of respect in relation to Dr Woods unknown condition at the time, Cambridge decide not to have the usual pomp and circumstance trophy giving ceremony as the mood is now sombre and somewhat completely different to just a short time beforehand. The boats are brought out of the water, TV camera's are turned off and everyone goes home. Hopefully next year will be just as dramatic but this time for all the right reasons.
Wingwalker.
