The weather was running a week early – so the traditional rainy period that usually hits just after Beale struck the show itself. It was great for the ducks though. The number of acquaintances seems to go up each year so even less time to look at the show and more time gassing and in the Beer tent. To my untutored eye there seemed to be fewer trade participants, certainly some notable gaps, but there were a few new ones to make up.
A new feature of the show was the arrival on Friday of my friends in the HBBR at the culmination of their ‘Raid’ down the Thames from Lechlade. They were led onto Beale Pond by Wayne who had heroically rowed his ‘Everhopefull’ all the way with a smile on his face. A major achievement when you take a good look at his boat – built for speed it isn’t. Chris Waite brought his new skiff ‘Octavia’ safely home despite some damage from a hooligan’s excessive wash in Oxford – the trip was definitely in the nature of a development trial. Chris was generous enough to let me have a crack at rowing her – an activity not properly indulged in since my schooldays on the Medway at Tonbridge when my meagre pocket money went to the boat hire operation there. My lack of experience was immediately evident when I attempted an inadvertent ramming of ‘Plover’ a very pretty cruiser moored to the bank – sorry! once I was in reasonably clear water I thoroughly enjoyed myself though, a really lovely boat and well deserving of the most innovative award in the WCABB competition.
Talking of the competition, the change in the awards system by creating three categories was a big step forward in giving recognition where it is due. For the first time ever I agreed with the judges decisions – at last they got it right! It was grand to see the HBBR members taking 66.6% of the awards as well. Congrats Chris W & Mike W. Now to the snaps – which are fewer than previous years, due in part to the weather and the new lens not working properly on the Friday but mainly down to me gassing too much, I hope you enjoy my perspective on the show.
Click on thumbnails to get the big picture
-
- Watercraft stand at show opening – complete with Mr Watercraft hisself
-
- Ben Fowler and his pulling skiff ‘Gekko’
-
- Neil Mitchell’s first time build, “Oarsome”. A Selway Fisher 10′6″ Coble
-
- Raiders near the end – much to the relief of their posteriors
-
- Gem the wonder dog keeps an eye over an apparently puzzled Graham
-
- Dave takes a rollup break before preparing himself for the grand entry
-
- With Wayne at their head the Raiders enter Beale Pond
-
- the fleet milling for the photo call
-
- The Raiders being professionaly captured for posterity
-
- Raider Chris dressed for the occasion
-
- Chris Adney and crew in his Woods Linnet ‘Pelley’
-
- Wayne after miles and miles of rowing – still smiling!
-
- Gekko on ‘Gekko’
-
- The Chuffers in a quiet interlude
-
- John Floutier’s Rushton Princess – lovely
-
- Octavia’s curvaceous rear end – and this really is S&T.
-
- St Lawrence Skiff by the IBTC, first tastes water in Chris Partridge’s hands
-
- Looks like Jo’s having fun again
-
- Now this looks more sensible than having big flappy things above your head
-
- This is the dog friendly show
-
- Bit of wet to come
-
- Saturday was great weather – for Ducks.
-
- The Watercraft stand had more boats this year
-
- RAID41 meets the public for the first time
-
- Pampootie of the DCA with Colin Cummings latest pathfinder Yawl in the background
-
- Baptising ‘Gekko’
-
- When you get in the boat DON’T hang on to the bank
-
- Ben Fowler’s Skiff ‘Gekko’ takes to the water for the first time with a full crew.
-
- This lot got my mind working, from Northern Sound – canoes that look very good indeed.
-
- IBTC St Lawrence Skiff at rest
-
- John Floutier showing just how easy it is to stay upright in a bit of a blow
-
- Fun, of course we are having fun – this is Britain after all.
-
- Gekko after most of the crew jumped ship
-
- The Beale Paradox returns
-
- the satisfyingly crowded WCABBC area – a record entry
-
- Electrifying
