The main aim for the WivGigs Thursday Social row was to avoid the rain. We could all see it coming on our various smart prediction apps; we could all see it and smell it in the Estuary Wilds air as we gathered down at the Sailing Club.
Actually, we couldn’t see it. There was a thick layer of mist hanging over the Colne, late afternoon. If this was a weekend row with the Sailing Club Cadets doing their dinghy thing, then navigation would have been a problem. But for a Thursday afternoon, we had the whole bloody estuary to ourselves.
I was put on stroke. I felt fine, but wasn’t really up for setting the pace. The crew was a mixture of experienced old sea dogs, and some new hands. I found it tricky finding a suitable compromise.
We weren’t helped by rowing through a channel full of shit. Suddenly the water turned brown. Bits and bobs of brown texture were rubbing against the oars. This was no time to start splashing around with some power strokes. Put a peg on your nose instead.
Whatever. We pressed on. Buoy 18 was reached. We had a little extra time and tide, and so decided to push on and turn at Buoy 16. The visibility weakened, yet still there was no rain. We powered back to the Sailing Club along a very high tide. Audacity was wrapped up and put to bed.
Yep - we beat the rain.
