The night before and the tension is mounting...

Last minute fun and games meant we left London a little later than planned (nothing to do with Matthew whose time keeping was as impeccable as ever...maybe) but we got on the road decked out in our new team t-shirts: Garnetto, Garnetta, Chin, Qinny Baby & Peeky Leeky (that’s Matt in case you were wondering – and no we can’t remember where he got the name from but it seems a shame to change something that has stuck so well...)

Had to have a quick stop over in Abingdon on the way through to Lechlade to drop Kath’s car but we are now safely ensconsed in our pub in Lechlade, well fed on Lasagne and chips (sport chips you understand) and ready for a good nights kip.

Tomorrow we are due to set off at sparrows fart. The boat is being dropped off at 7:30am so as long as he gets there on time, we will be off on the B of the starters gun. Kath is coxing day 1, well supported by Mr & Mrs Wiseman in the car. Ben & Qin lead us off in the skiff on the first leg from Lechlade Bridge to St John’s Lock, with Matt & Me running.

And for those statos amongst you, revel in these beauties:

- 39.82 miles to be covered tomorrow
- Longest distance between locks – 4.74 miles from Northmoor to Shifford (run by Si & Matt)
- Shortest distance between locks – the first 0.65 miles from Lechlade Bridge to St John’s Lock
- Anticipated finish time – 19:14

That’s it – off to get our beauty sleep. Bring on the river – can’t wait.

To post us a morale boosting good luck message, click on the envelope below. If you are planning to come and see us at any point over the weekend, we would love to see you – just call one of our mobiles and we will be able to let you know where we are and when we will get to any pt on the river...we hope...