England Trip part 2 - Henley Royal Regatta

Thursday
What a great day! The family celebration fit perfectly calendar-wise because it is Henley Royal Regatta week. James was one of a rowing team when he was at the University of Nottingham. Eight with cox. They were great friends. He shared a flat in London with some of them after university when they had started working. They stayed in touch. Nine years ago they had a reunion at Henley and at the next reunion (2014) we couldn't go because James had broken his ankle in Spain. So when we knew we would be in England this week James contacted his buddies. This was the day.

We set our alarm clocks for 7:30 am just in case. We walked uptown to catch the 9:17 am train. Two of the team, Colin and Bruce, had made sure that we had tickets to the Stewards Enclosure, the place for club members and guests. A great big THANK YOU to them! A posh place with attire requirements. James had his tie in his pocket. I had a dress on the first time in I don't know how many years. I had brought dressier shoes too but there was no way I could wear them. I also decided to use my Petra walking stick (Petra because that's were we had bought it in Jordan). All that turned out to be an excellent decision. And I had brought my mother's summer hat.

Windsor to Slough. Slough to Twyford. Twyford to Henley. At every change the train got fuller. The last one was crammed. On the dresses (and hats) you could guess where people were going. 

We had plans. June 21 this year's Row by Row had started, a quilter thing. I wanted to get something from the shop in Henley. We had been there before (last year with Helen and even William) and figured that it was very walkable. Unfortunately not for me though. James volunteered. Don't I have the best? I "parked" on a bench in a park around the corner and he went. 

Leander Club were we had to go for the regatta.

And there he is coming back ... with a bag. The photo of the map above is from the sign in the park.

A steady stream of people (and many with fancy hats) walking toward the regatta.

We could leave the bag at a luggage place which was great. We had pinned on the badges (tickets), James put on his tie and we walked right in. James looked for his buddies. The first we met were Richard and Jan. A big hello and then Richard right away showed us the two photos he had found recently. The Nottingham University 8 with cox had won the Head of the North of England Championship in 1964. I was told they went all the way to the semi-finals in Henley but then unfortunately lost to a crew from Florida.

We talked and talked and finally had a little lunch.

Then Richard found his sister Gill (who had married rowing buddy Bob) in the stands. Free seating and you have a good look but not so good for socializing since you are all in a row. But great fun to see the fashion (or not so fashion) and a lot of hats and fascinators walk by. I was never quick enough to get a photo of the best ones. And of course you want to be somewhat discreet. Of course the men's wool club jackets (some of them probably 50 years old ... but still fit! ha-ha) in all colors and stripes and trims were equally enjoyable.

The others had a program so we knew who was racing. It was always two boats and the judges in a motor boat behind. It was explained to me how they take the time etc. Very interesting. The boat in the front is one from the USA which lost. Its a knock-out system. After every day they have to print a new booklet for the next because the winners have to race again with another winner from the previous day. A lot of effort with a lot of detail. If you are wondering about the weight: st means "stone". 1 stone equals 14 pounds. The old English system.

We did have a talk about this lady. Her hat and dress (the blue/yellow one) just didn't go together and everybody said "what was she thinking?" 

After the Nottingham boat had raced (and lost) we went for refreshments. Bob got a pitcher of Pimm's. Pimm's is very British! Don't ask me what it is or how it tastes but it is very delicious and refreshing.

I was very impressed with the whole event. All the stands and tents and equipment on the river and on the edge are put up and taken down every year. It's a public area otherwise. This contraption here is a lift for wheelchair. Colin's wife Dale has a health condition where she needed to use it and they had a good front row view. Yes, very impressive event. 

Colin and Dale had to leave because they had another commitment and Bob and Gill had quite a drive, so it was time to part.

from left: Bob and Gill, Colin and Dale, Jan and Richard, Christa and James

Richard and Jan asked us whether we had a little more time. No problem. So we walked along to see whether we could find a place for supper. We stopped at the Hotel Du Vin. James and I were not very hungry but found the most delicious AUBERGINE AND HALLOUMI PARMIGIANA BAKE with a chunky tomato sauce. 

And then it was time to part again. James and I walked to the train station. I was sure the trains would be even fuller but the trip home could not have been any easier. At every change we had only a few minutes to wait.

Back in Windsor we stopped for a refreshment at the Bexley again. Only a half for me this time, ha-ha. We had called Jane whether she wanted to pop around the corner to meet us but she declined. But soon we were at her house and told her all about the day. James had not been disappointed. This time it had been less than half the crew but it had been kind of impromptu. But plans had been made for next year "God willing" (which would be our 55th year reunion) to meet on Tuesday evening July 2 for dinner together and Wednesday for the Regatta. 

And can you believe it? At the end of the day I had taken 12,074 steps.

We are so blessed!