Enter The Dragon

The job search goes on and things are not looking to good at the minute, but as a little light relief the family have been involved in some charity work for 'Loughborough Women's Aid'.

We have been entered into a Dragon boat race at the weekend along with ten friends and the kids.

None of us had ever even seen a dragon boat before yesterday and hardly any of us had ever been out on the water. Some of the team hadn't even been out of the city so it was quite funny watching them all trying to get into the boat last night at our first and only practice session.

Our safety talk went well and I was learning what the wooden thing in my hand was for and which way up it went.

Some of the smaller members of the team were taking notice.

Once that was explained to me, we were away and every bloke in the boat shot off at super speed for about 3 yards and then realised we had a long way to go.

Paddles and fingers were clanking and bashing on the sides and water was splashing all over the place.The boat was spinning around in circles and we were going nowhere . "Stop" yelled the helmsman.

Time for a few basic rules. All paddles in the water at the same time.
All pull together.
All keep your own space and don't encroach on the space in front or behind.
Now, PULL ! PULL ! PULL!

We were off and straight away we felt the difference and everyone seemed to be getting the hang of it.

There were 15 of us in the practice boat including my little ones.

They did great but didn't seem to enjoy getting wet as much as the rest of us, so with our competitive streak kicking in, we dumped the kids and jumped into a real race boat and went for the course record!



Watch out for that tree !!


We managed to pass the line in one piece and some (me) even managed to celebrate our small victory.

The main event is on Sunday 24th May at my sisters pub "The Boat House" in Barrow - on - Soar Leicestershire.

There are 21 crews entered including 3 from DHL.

First race is 10 am but as for having a flutter on the winner I think its a forgone conclusion.

We have already rehearsed our victory dance.