Post by Irish Stu on May 31, 2009 14:42:56 GMT -6
Saturday was regatta day here in Wivenhoe. Last year's regatta was a complete washout as it rained all day, so there were high hopes for this year, and the weather thankfully didn't disappoint. The crowds turned out en mass with plenty of locals, 'townies' from nearby Colchester, and others from further afield heading down to the river to watch the various races. And I joined them, armed with my new camera lens :
The afternoon began with the 'Pub Shovel Race' which I posted pictures of a couple of years ago. Teams from the local pubs compete in a rowing race along the river in front of the village, but instead of oars they use shovels, and try to capsize each other.
A Thames barge made it's way through the flood barrier and sailed past us towards Colchester. There are many of these along this part of the coast, some are used as people's homes and others are used to take people on trips along the coast, and as party boats :
There were lots of sailboats. They had been competing in races at sea then sailed in to collect their trophies. I didn't buy a programme, and as I know nothing about boats I can't tell you what they are (though maybe Tex can) but according to the guy commentating the oldest sailboat in the next few pictures was built in 1909 and the youngest in 1939, and they were all built right here in Wivenhoe which as well as building sailboats was also once an important home to shipbuilding :
CK 18 had been abandoned in the mud at nearby Mersea Island, and all that remained was its rotting hull. Twenty years ago a group of enthusiasts dug it out and hauled it off to a barn where they spent the next ten years lovingly restoring it :
A replica Viking longboat, the same as the ones the Vikings would have used when they invaded us. It was a lot smaller than I would have expected :
Some kids from Rowhedge, the village across the river from Wivenhoe which you can make out in the picture of the Thames barge sailing away, got themselves a good vantage point on a pill box. Rowhedge has its own regatta in a few weeks time :
The Rose and Crown pub, now a much nicer place to enjoy a drink since Roy Chubby Brown fucked off, was the focal point for many people's afternoon :
Others were able to stay home and watch the afternoon's events :
Simon
The afternoon began with the 'Pub Shovel Race' which I posted pictures of a couple of years ago. Teams from the local pubs compete in a rowing race along the river in front of the village, but instead of oars they use shovels, and try to capsize each other.
A Thames barge made it's way through the flood barrier and sailed past us towards Colchester. There are many of these along this part of the coast, some are used as people's homes and others are used to take people on trips along the coast, and as party boats :
There were lots of sailboats. They had been competing in races at sea then sailed in to collect their trophies. I didn't buy a programme, and as I know nothing about boats I can't tell you what they are (though maybe Tex can) but according to the guy commentating the oldest sailboat in the next few pictures was built in 1909 and the youngest in 1939, and they were all built right here in Wivenhoe which as well as building sailboats was also once an important home to shipbuilding :
CK 18 had been abandoned in the mud at nearby Mersea Island, and all that remained was its rotting hull. Twenty years ago a group of enthusiasts dug it out and hauled it off to a barn where they spent the next ten years lovingly restoring it :
A replica Viking longboat, the same as the ones the Vikings would have used when they invaded us. It was a lot smaller than I would have expected :
Some kids from Rowhedge, the village across the river from Wivenhoe which you can make out in the picture of the Thames barge sailing away, got themselves a good vantage point on a pill box. Rowhedge has its own regatta in a few weeks time :
The Rose and Crown pub, now a much nicer place to enjoy a drink since Roy Chubby Brown fucked off, was the focal point for many people's afternoon :
Others were able to stay home and watch the afternoon's events :
Simon
