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      The River Thames

      September 5th   

      For the past 15 years we have hosted a small friends and family regatta on our stretch of the
      Thames.  It's a hands on weekend for everyone involved and everyone from the youngest to the oldest takes ownership and is involved in either food prep, organising, running the event, entertainment, tidying up, safety, communications etc, you name it and someone within the group has to do it.  The week end belongs to everyone and although it takes place at our home, it is not our regatta but every ones.  It is one of my favourite if not 'the' favourite weekend of my year.  It has to be said not all take part in the water activities, but there is so much going on over the weekend that there is something for everyone.  Long may this regatta continue and I hope the younger generation continue it, it's looking good so far...

      Want a glimpse?

      It all begins with the invite.  Last year saw the first video invite and we decided to carry on with it again this year...


      Regatta Invite 2016 click on the below link :  


      A visit to the local lock keeper to purchase boat licenses


      I managed to complete the boat garland
      for more info:  Boat garland

      Cocktail prep for 30 ;)


      One family arrived with printed t-shirts after
      protesting at a prize giving judgement last year...
      'We woz robbed'


      Not everyone makes the Friday night meal
      and we always eat outside

      The youngest at 2 and the oldest at 80, it's a weekend for everyone


      Proper Swallow and Amazon boats,
      two of them made by our friends


      Some of us dress the part



      Buoyancy aides are a must requirement for the children,
      adults are allowed to choose whether to wear them or not

      We swim, boat, windsurf, kayak, canoe and row

      Each year we seem to add more 'kit'


      There is the odd entertainment, different each year


      The family rowing race has become a tad raucous over the years


      The forecast was not great so we
      brought a fire pit to keep us warm


      Warm popcorn served on returning from the river

      We always begin the Saturday
      eating with Rosie's tit bits


      We watched the latest Brimble boat video
      We couldn't all fit in to watch the video


      Prize giving is generally outside too
      but not this year, it poured with rain!



      Prizes range from medals to moose heads!


      Everyone who is presented with a F.O.C (Friends of the Classics)
       medal is required to wear it to prize-giving.  Some years
      the odd person forgets, here a little ditty had been composed
      to apologise and beg forgiveness!


      After the prize giving we have main dinner.
      Due to the weather for the first time in
      15 years we had to eat the BBQ indoors :(

      We chat till the wee hours in the morning when someone else is giving the task of cooking breakfast for the masses before everyone departs for another year...



      Until next year...



      ♥  Regatta 2016  ♥

      20 comments:

      1. Just wonderful. Such a great occasion. x

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      2. Fantastic! What a wonderful tradition.

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        Replies
        1. I do hope the next generation continue it. Looking good so far Annie

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      3. What a fantastic get together with so much fun, awards and laughter. I bet your planning next years already xx

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        Replies
        1. Still recovering at the moment Chel but will begin planning soo that's for sure!

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      4. What fun, which I was a member of your family!

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      5. Looks like you had fun and ate well too! Interesting prizes!

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      6. What a lot of fun this was! Loved the invitation video!

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      7. What a fabulous occasion. It looks like you all had great fun. Such a shame about the rain. We were moving our daughter out of her house in South Ealing and were about half way through when the rain came. I bet you were tired but happy by the end of the event.

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      8. Wow! Thanks for the beautiful photos ♥

        summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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      9. What a fabulous weekend!! Glad you had such a great time!! xx

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      10. That looks like so much fun, and I love the way it brings the generations together. Glad it was such a success this year despite the weather.

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      11. What a wonderful family tradition! Looks like so much fun, and you have a great turnout of people. Love those wooden boats ;)
        Wendy

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...