England's Green and Pleasant Land
Rowing at Eton
2nd August 2012
In keeping with the British "make do" spirit of these Olympic games the rowing competition is being held at an existing facility: Eton Dorney . An appropriate venue for a sport traditionally associated with private schools and top tier universities - this is the Eton of posh nobs school fame.
British traditions were to the fore throughout. A crowded, though cheerful, train ride from London to Windsor & Eton. The choice of a double-decker bus or a stroll alongside the Thames to Eton Dorney. Either-way the journey to lakeside is completed by a mandatory country stroll around Windsor race course. We choose the all-walk option and enjoy an hour or so meandering amongst England's green and pleasant land of hedgerows, green grass fresh from overnight rain and carefully laid out gardens. Even the weather plays its part, variously glorious sunshine, overcast grey and a few spots of rain.
The rowing comes in intense bursts of enthusiasm. From our seats near the finish line the first 1500m are best viewed on the big screen as in the distance scurrying ants slowly resolve into well-muscled crews of men and women pulling hard in single and double sculls, fours and eights. With British interest in almost every race there's plenty for the locals to shout about. In the occasional race without a Team GB presence the vocal stands split their support between defending champions, old allies and game losers. Pick of the day has to be the Men's Lightweight Four, after six minutes and 2000m an infinitesimal 0.32 seconds separates the medalists (South Africa, Great Britain, Denmark) with Australia a gallant fourth by 0.9 seconds. Everyone goes ballistic cheering their favourites home, the stands a sea of coloured flags.
After the racing we retire to the back-lot for tea and cake accompanied by stirring tunes from the Royal Marines band. A fitting end to a typically British day.
Photographs
Neck and Neck the Men's Lightweight Fours
Royal Marine Band
Rowing at Eton
2nd August 2012
In keeping with the British "make do" spirit of these Olympic games the rowing competition is being held at an existing facility: Eton Dorney . An appropriate venue for a sport traditionally associated with private schools and top tier universities - this is the Eton of posh nobs school fame.
British traditions were to the fore throughout. A crowded, though cheerful, train ride from London to Windsor & Eton. The choice of a double-decker bus or a stroll alongside the Thames to Eton Dorney. Either-way the journey to lakeside is completed by a mandatory country stroll around Windsor race course. We choose the all-walk option and enjoy an hour or so meandering amongst England's green and pleasant land of hedgerows, green grass fresh from overnight rain and carefully laid out gardens. Even the weather plays its part, variously glorious sunshine, overcast grey and a few spots of rain.
The rowing comes in intense bursts of enthusiasm. From our seats near the finish line the first 1500m are best viewed on the big screen as in the distance scurrying ants slowly resolve into well-muscled crews of men and women pulling hard in single and double sculls, fours and eights. With British interest in almost every race there's plenty for the locals to shout about. In the occasional race without a Team GB presence the vocal stands split their support between defending champions, old allies and game losers. Pick of the day has to be the Men's Lightweight Four, after six minutes and 2000m an infinitesimal 0.32 seconds separates the medalists (South Africa, Great Britain, Denmark) with Australia a gallant fourth by 0.9 seconds. Everyone goes ballistic cheering their favourites home, the stands a sea of coloured flags.
After the racing we retire to the back-lot for tea and cake accompanied by stirring tunes from the Royal Marines band. A fitting end to a typically British day.
Photographs
Neck and Neck the Men's Lightweight Fours
Royal Marine Band
