INTRODUCTION | WHAT WE NEED | HISTORY | MESSAGE BOARD | CREW | NEWS | LINKS | FAMILY TREE | HOME |
September 2002 – Great River Race
Wednesday 4th September
After a 30 minute practice row up and down the Thames at Richmond Bridge we
retired to the local hostelry to ‘bond’ and tell ourselves that the 22 miles
from Richmond to Greenwich on Saturday would present no problem.
Saturday 7th September
Come the day we assembled at Richmond Bridge with
wives, girlfriends and children in tow, whereupon we again entered the local
hostelry to imbibe some much needed fluids in preparation for the great unknown.
In good spirits and plastic Viking helmets we walked the mile and a half to
the start where we found the mighty boat ‘Brynhilde’ moored and ready.
With Nick and Benji at stroke – ‘you can row – we’ll follow you’ – we set off
as best we could with Brad calling the rhthym. Billy’s commentary as we passed
the various landmarks along the course counter-pointing Danny’s
dulcet tones as he serenaded our (swiftly) passing competitors.
Finishing in Greenwich we were overcome with emotion and the need to drink…
September 2003 – Great River Race
Saturday 6th
September
Eschewing the opportunity of a practice this year we again met up at Richmond
Bridge. With some new faces and last minute replacements drafted in, we had to
get ‘Brynhilde’ to
the start. It was this extra mile and a half row that we hold accountable for
our slower time. That and frequent refreshment stops at the pointy end which
left Jon, Simon, Ian and Andy as the sole rowers as we passed Battersea Power
Station. Once again Billy was able to pass on his knowledge of waterside London
as he sat in the cox position and guided us down stream. Resplendent in our Hammer
of The Gods t-shirts with the novelty (and relief) of last year now well and
truly subsided, a slower outward tide and the many and varied expert opinions
of the now seasoned crew we once again crossed the line in Greenwich ready for
some much needed refreshments.
September 2004 – Great River Race
Saturday 11th September
Where to begin? Same place as last year – rowing from Richmond Bridge to Ham. Always handy to make sure the tiller is in the water…
Once we’d fixed that, we made it to the start and met up with Charlotte Smith from TASK Brasil who had come along to meet the crew as we were again rowing on behalf of the charity. After the now obligatory photo calls for the local press we set off once more down Old Father Thames. With new coxes Julian and Andy (the ‘Kerminator) our progress was somewhat haphazard until they got to grips with the vagaries of the tiller. The least said about going the wrong side of HMS Belfast and running aground at the Isle of Dogs the better at this point! Kerm’s
voice took a mighty hammering as he called us home in grand style! Upon finishing
in Greenwich the tide had receded somewhat which resulted in a final morale sapping
wade through knee-deep mud to the shore. Thank Thor for beer!
INTRODUCTION | WHAT WE NEED | HISTORY | MESSAGE BOARD | CREW | NEWS | LINKS | HOME |
T 020 7703 1666
F 020 7703 6999
E enquiries@hammerofthegods.co.uk
