Bumps night 3

We got up to the lock in good time again. I think Max picked me up on my catch again here, but only because I had lost concentration a few times. Champs 6 were awarded a technical rowover as well, because they were in front of us again. I told Max what I thought the problem was – about the balance meaning that I couldn’t square in time, and therefore not catch in time either. I had been squaring with Beth and sometimes catching before her when the balance was lurching.

We had a good start, as our game plan was still to put everything into the start so we could catch the next crew early and avoid a long row. Max took the first corner too close and we went through some thick weed. Fran caught a crab and slowed us down a bit. When we were sure that we wouldn’t bump anyone (Champs 6 had bumped City 6, and Radegund 2 had bumped 99 5), we relaxed and took the rating and the pressure down a bit. We rowed the rest of the course at a comfortable pace – half pressure but much lower rating. Emma called for the rating to go up again and so we tried but failed. It felt comfortable though.

We pulled in after the railway bridge near M City 7 and did our swap. We had some energy left after this, and felt reasonably contented. We rowed back down with my catches together but my finishes early still. This meant that I wasn’t following Kathy’s body movements, though sometimes I think she wasn’t sliding as far as me.

City 3 decided they didn’t want to use our boat again, so we had to put it away with the help of Angela and her crew.

We decided to go up and watch the races, and so Danielle drove Vicky and me, dropping me off on the way to get changed and get camera. I walked up, watching the women’s first div on the way, and met them there, along with Becky and Beth. We sat on Grassy Corner and watched the men’s first div, including a bump right in front of us – think it was Champs bumping 99 4. We then headed back and Danielle, Vicky and I went back to the boathouse for drinks. Kat and Brian got fish and chips. It was a late one, but fun.