A brilliant and wonderful day. Totally weird and British but loads of huge boats that had arrived on low loaders from all over Europe.

I rowed the first two stints of our three and a half hours. The river was really choppy in parts and we had hard work to keep moving. We had a low handicap number and started at 18 down somewhere in the east end. Half an hour and we were at Tower Bridge. One hour at Big Ben and I changed sides.

At two hours in, the fast boats started to overtake us. Dragon boats with 20 paddlers and a drummer beating time. You hear them in the distance then louder, louder, you take their rythmn for your stroke. They are here, passing, gone, with smiles and greetings. Well done ladies! One was all painted green. 20 incredible hulks! There were cavemen. Lots of pirates. A gig full of ladies in blue and white sailor type bathing dresses. A little pink boat full of purple pirates from Chelmsford in pink leather knee boots. Outrigger boats. 6 paddlers. 15 strokes and change sides. Sea rangers who can't row. Sea rangers who can row.

We had 3 flags on a tall pole streaming behind us. Gold thread gleaming in the sun. Our rowing was together and strong. I am hoarse from shouting timing for the stroke as our ladies tired. "Keep it going. On the legs. Keep the rhythmn. Go for ten. One Two........ Ten more.........One.....".

We had such a good day.

Distance 21 miles, Time 03.29.58

Place overall (by handicap) 123rd / 293 starters.
Fastest ( by time) 203rd / 276 finishers!
Ladies (by handicap) 14th / 44 (Really pleased with that).
Fast ladies (time) 32nd / 44 ( this includes dragonboats and outriggers so not surprising)
4 oared (handicap) 71st / 175 Yay!
Thames based (handicap) 41st / 122 Yay again.