Almost But Not Quite A National Holiday.

I went to watch the Oxford Cambridge boat race on the Thames this afternoon at Ye White Hart in SW13, near Barnes Bridge, not because I have strong feelings for either establishment, I was just there to see some posh blokes with signet rings, wax coats and Range Rovers parked around the corner get all excited about some equally posh blokes (but hotter!) in boats ;)

I figured showing up an hour or so ahead would be plenty, we could grab a good viewing spot, maybe even some food before the posh festivities began. Oh boy was I wrong! We showed up, it's grey and muggy outside but that didn't deter the ENTIRE population of London to take to the banks of the Thames and the surrounding pubs! But still, we did our feisty Viking foremothers proud, elbowed our way to the front and the waiting began.

The scene was oddly reminiscent of the 17th of June; it was raining, everyone was freezing, it was too crowded, all beverages were served in plastic cups and overpriced. The only thing missing were the liberated helium Disney characters that usually decorate the sky.

So Oxford won convincingly* and here are some pics:

*I was routing for Cambridge, not just because I happened to be situated in that area of the pub...