Wet wet Wet

Bad 90's band and our theme for the day. The day started well with a hearty breakfast at the Shillingford Bridge hotel for local people. Our roadie Russ (smallest roadie vehicle ever) picked up our extensive backup kit and we hit the river at 8am. Photoshoot as we left- blue steel was activated. Please see photos.

Set a good pace after Benson lock although at one point we thought we had capsized as there was so much rain coming down. Every single thing was wet and Tony had to bail the boat out for 15 minutes when the storm had passed. Tony found his mobile phone under a foot of water in the boat- those cheap iphones don't seem to work after total submersion- rubbish! 

On our way through Wallingford we half expected Douglas/ Delabie to be waving from the bridge- never mind but thanks for the generous donation.

We arrived in Pangbourne after the second storm of the day and were greeted by James and Alex who kindly bought us lunch at the Swan. Apologies to the landlord there- those buttock imprints on your leather sofas were us, caused by our wet behinds.

Oxfam in Pangbourne do a great line on dry clothing- £4.50 was spent. Not a great look but it saved our life.

The boys powered all the way to Caversham and were greeted by a huge crowd... of geese, and a tramp. Big up to the geese and tramp. Teacakes and sweet tea was provided by Fee in the local greasy spoon.

By this stage the 25 miles seemed like 250 miles and we stopped for a well earned rest under Sonning Bridge.

Shiplake College provided a vast welcome party of Russ and Stephan. We were ushered into a classroom where we got undressed and ..... The Plowden Arms attempted a warm welcome but unfortunately they were unused to people that were not related to them. Roadie Russ dropped us at Kirsten and Richard's fab house in Wargrave where they were treated to a first class Chinese and good company. The drier was used.