Steve's brother, Rick, asked if he'd like to join the Santa Cruz Rowing Club on a two-week rowing trip to England and Germany. The group planned to row 4-person skulls on the Thames river in England and Moselle river in Germany, four days in each country and over 100+ miles.
Sure! Sure? Rick was an experienced rower from his college days and founder of the Monterey Rowing Club. But Steve? Not so much. Actually, not at all. But he was game to try. Colleen, my sister-in-law, and I went along to cheer on the troops (and do a bit of touring ourselves).
The lovely mansions along the Thames, complete with a passing rental barge.
A Day Tour of Oxford, home of Oxford University.
Oxford student in traditional academic garb. Note the white flower in his lapel. That signifies he's passed the first of three year end exams. White, pink, then red. Graduates get roundly trashed by whipping cream, silly string, and confetti, then jump in the Thames!
Enjoying the after graduation festivities. They get "trashed" and then jump in the Thames River.
Henley Regatta
The Henley Royal Regatta is the best-known regatta in the world, or so they say. It's the only one I'd ever heard of, much less attended. Think Kentucky Derby on the water. Crazy dress code as the guys wore their traditional rowing club jackets and the women HAD to wear a knee-length dress. I got busted twice as my dress hit the middle of my knee. "Can you walk around with it pulled down?" Uh... ok. Really?