Yesterday we went punting ...
Friday, August 21st, 2009 02:04 pm... and swimming: quite a lot of swimming in my case.
Here is spidermonkey hitting the water. The Cam, upstream, is remarkably clean and pleasant to swim in.
We had a Kings punt, which does not come with paddles, as will become increasingly evident. There was punting (harder work than expected), being punted (much more fun), a splendid picnic and some swimming. Then punting back to Cambridge ...
"Oh no, I've lost the pole!"
As the only person still in swimming gear, I volunteered to retrieve it.
"Aaargh!"
and again.
"... T?"
and again.
What have we learnt?
1. It really is faster to swim, even against the current.
2. The Cam is ill-equipped with exits.
2a. Scrambling up a muddy bank is not improved by the presence of waterfowl and their excrement.
3. Splintery punts and M&S swimsuits don't mix.
4. It should be mandatory when punting to be equipped with a harpoon and a live chicken. (See N. Stephenson, The Confusion, for details.)
Here is spidermonkey hitting the water. The Cam, upstream, is remarkably clean and pleasant to swim in.
We had a Kings punt, which does not come with paddles, as will become increasingly evident. There was punting (harder work than expected), being punted (much more fun), a splendid picnic and some swimming. Then punting back to Cambridge ...
"Oh no, I've lost the pole!"
As the only person still in swimming gear, I volunteered to retrieve it.
"Aaargh!"
and again.
"... T?"
and again.
What have we learnt?
1. It really is faster to swim, even against the current.
2. The Cam is ill-equipped with exits.
2a. Scrambling up a muddy bank is not improved by the presence of waterfowl and their excrement.
3. Splintery punts and M&S swimsuits don't mix.
4. It should be mandatory when punting to be equipped with a harpoon and a live chicken. (See N. Stephenson, The Confusion, for details.)