A Saturday morning, high summer & unusually good weather. Perfect for a wedding, or better still, a day of highly sophisticated enjoyment on the banks of the Thames. HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED IS NOT WHAT THE RADCOT CRUISER CLUB DOES VERY WELL!! Far better to come up with a list of silly games & competitions & watch the mayhem!
Mid-morning saw the start of a bring & buy area, which basically meant that members could swap their junk for another lot of junk from another boat, thereby maintaining the trim of the vessel? The exercise proved to be very popular, & will no doubt be repeated so as to maintain boat stability throughout the club.
Various events followed, including
some new, & welcome sideshows. These included side by side games of horseshoes
& a putting game. (Both games were subject to the usual levels of cheating
& rule bending!.)
Alongside these were the now traditional volley ball tournament, & a game to test the strongest items the BRITISH ELASTIC INDUSTRY COULD PRODUCE!! The game involved reviving an old favourite from a past age. "THE SPACE HOPPER" The idea was to complete an obstacle course, comprising of a chicane (set to various distances according to sex & beam), followed by a ramp, a jump, & a limbo stand, suitably topped off with 2 bowls of water! (ONLY FOR THE VERY BRAVE, & ME!)
The youngsters were suitably shepherded by Carol Graham for their boaty quiz competition, whilst the supposed adults fought bravely against intelligence, & attempted Heather's conundrums.
Dave Hansell's penalty shoot-out, once again proved a popular & competitive winner. These were the "THE TRACK & FIELD EVENTS". "HOWEVER", "FUNDAY INVOLVES WATER, & LOTS OF IT!!" Beware anyone who approaches the river's edge without suitable attire!
First, we were subjected to a demonstration communication skills and boat control that would frighten " the "FLINTSTONES". This is called " BLIND DINGHY RELAY RACING" & is not for the faint hearted!.
GRAND FINALE (as usual), is the dreaded "ROUND THE ISLAND RACE". The precedent had already been set, and so rules from DENNIS HILL were completely ignored. First home was BOB WARD, who was immediately DISQUALIFIED!, for accepting a "TOW" from a passing dinghy ("POWERED").
Winners & losers were eventually sorted out, & the daytime frolics came to a close. Barbecues lit, & off we go for the evening's events. Musical entertainment this year was provided by "FRESH", a harmony duo from BANBURY, who fit the bill to support the usual alcohol fuelled enjoyment! In the words of our esteemed commodore "THE BEST FUNDAY I HAVE EVER ATTENDED".
All in all, the whole event went well, apart from a minor incident involving members who held a flag waving protest against WEDDINGS BEING HELD ON THE SAME DAY AS FUNDAY. This being directed at a poor young lady in a Rolls Royce!!
Although attendance figures appeared down this year (holidays, weddings etc.), over 30 boats were either attending, or were represented.
WELL DONE TO ALL WHO HELPED & SUPPORTED THE DAY, "ANOTHER GOOD ONE"
