Rhine Marathon - some BB ladies and cygnets head to Germany
 

The crews arrived on Friday 2nd October.  Those that arrived early in the day were treated to a quick tour around the lovely city of Dusseldorf, and more importantly the Kilapitsch shop and bar - shots were done, souvenirs bought (see if you can spot them).  After the last two scullers arrived (Sue and Sarah) on Friday, everyone went off to bed to make sure that they were wide awake for the big race - a process that was no doubt helped by the glorious Alt Beer.
Everyone was up early, some of us had breakfast (hurrah for the hotel option), and at 8am we set off for the start.  The weather was a little cold, but that didn't dampen the spirits whilst we alotted boats, and we all started rigging and taping the boats under the keen supervision of Tichel (cox to the BB ladies quad).
The race kicked off at 10am, with the no.1 boat (cygnets sea gig) not being able to take that position of honour due to the club from whom they borrowed their boat forgetting to pack the rudder, which is kind of a must have.  So our excitement had to be contained until half past when the ladies took to the water, the sea gig followed them about a further hour or so, and then finally at quarter past 1 the mixed quad was finally unleashed on the Rhine, and by that time we were really ready to go.
Sadly I can't tell you about the medal ceremony, or the food at the finish line as we were still pounding down the 42.8km / 26 mile course - yes its called the Rhine marathon for a reason - and all but the cakes had gone by the time we got there.  All I know is that the ladies in their BBL quad came third and got themselves a bronze medal, and also managed to squeeze in a quick interview with the local German press - must be the blue lycra.
As you would expect we had a good time in the evening, with lots of food, beer and kilapitsch.  For those that stayed on for the Sunday, there was also a festival which was celebrating the bank holiday and harvest festival.

So the final results were......

97. (125) Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club / Cygnet Rowing Club: Time - 02:52:42
105. (001) Cygnet Rowing Club: Time - 02:54:40
110. (020) Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club: Time - 03:00:01

A huge thank you to the cygnets for allowing the ladies to join them on their annual pilgrimage, and also to Marj for organising us, and for Benrath RC for suppliying all of the boats / coxes / entertainment

	The excitement is on the verge of bubbling over -but I don't think that Katie C can quite believe what she is about to do
Meanwhile crew 125 - is trying to smile through the fact that we won't be setting off for another 3 1/2 hours.
	And they're off........ and looking good ladies!
Meanwhile back at the start line, everyone else is relaxing - Richard leads the way.  I chose not to include a picture of the hotdogs that we destroyed shortly after this - carbs are a rowers friend
	And we were finally able to say goodbye to the sea gig - Rob, and Johnnie the cox even managing to give us a wave
This is the look of relief you have when you have finished - and you quickly realise that the 300m back to the landing area is the hardest as you are going against the stream!!
	And here we are in action, getting to about half way - Matt is still looking very chirpy.
For some reason the rescue launch was paying particular attention to us
	Ah the medal - though mine is not a lovely bronze one, but there is always next year
The medal ceremony for the ladies quad - they look so happy!
	The mixed quads cox, Marco - with his coxing must have of a space blanket that was taped around him once he got in the boat - obviously to combat the speed wind chill being produced by his crew.
Neil apparently collecting everyone else's glasses - ha ha yeah right
	Celebrating the only way that BB ladies can - in a bar with a confused looking man in the background - aah its the same the world over