Post by JohnV on Jul 9, 2016 19:24:59 GMT
There was a different type of barge race on the Thames today ...... barge driving
These are thames lighters, for racing they use the smaller ones of about 30 tons. They are powered by sweeps (long oars) and only 3 people can be working at any one time,
Two rowing and one steering with another sweep they normally carry a crew of 6 changing places at regular intervals. They race from Blackwall Point to the Houses of parliament followed by a fleet of supporting tugs and a big group of pleasure craft with supporters and visitors.
The last couple of years I have been fortunate enough to have been on the escorting fleet of tugs as a spectator, normally a great day out as after the race the barges all hitch lifts from tugs who then charge off down river again with huge wakes and much blowing of whistles and horns. followed by mooring up somewhere for a barbecue.
This year I wasn't there ......... "Oh we thought as you had been in hospital you wouldn't have been fit enough"....... Huh !!!!! it would have been nice to have been asked
A few shots from last year !!!
sort 114 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
sort 108 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
sort 138 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
These are thames lighters, for racing they use the smaller ones of about 30 tons. They are powered by sweeps (long oars) and only 3 people can be working at any one time,
Two rowing and one steering with another sweep they normally carry a crew of 6 changing places at regular intervals. They race from Blackwall Point to the Houses of parliament followed by a fleet of supporting tugs and a big group of pleasure craft with supporters and visitors.
The last couple of years I have been fortunate enough to have been on the escorting fleet of tugs as a spectator, normally a great day out as after the race the barges all hitch lifts from tugs who then charge off down river again with huge wakes and much blowing of whistles and horns. followed by mooring up somewhere for a barbecue.
This year I wasn't there ......... "Oh we thought as you had been in hospital you wouldn't have been fit enough"....... Huh !!!!! it would have been nice to have been asked
A few shots from last year !!!
sort 114 by mudlarker2, on Flickrsort 108 by mudlarker2, on Flickrsort 138 by mudlarker2, on Flickr
