With the Nene Valley Steam Railway running alongside, Peterborough City Rowing Club hosted Loughborough Boat Club’s annual training camp. The superb facilities included a 1,000 metre rowing lake and a 10 km stretch of the River Nene, with the attractive country park setting being an unexpected bonus.

‘Are we nearly there yet…?’

Four days of glorious sunshine saw the Club’s crews push themselves to their limits, with ten training sessions in a mixture of boat and crew combinations.  Coaching was provided under the expert guidance of Charlie Simson, with the assistance of Tim and the opportunity for coaches to cycle alongside the crews was a welcome addition to the more limited facilities that are available on the Soar.

‘Is that real wood?’ (PCRC Member asks)

The camp provided priceless experience for steersmen to practice on a straight-laned course, in anticipation of this year’s World Masters Championships, and all rowers were given ample opportunity to learn how to cope with giving a marker buoy a mightly smack!

Effect of being told to keep arm straight

Every evening a filling meal was provided in the clubhouse thanks to Sandra and Mike and their helpers, with Michelin-starred Easter lamb being the highlight of the gourmet experience.  Most members chose to stay in the luxury of the nearby Hilton Hotel but there was still a determined camping element ensconced in the car park with a resplendent ‘Mouse’,  Nutmeg’s Kennel and the newly arrived ‘Jeribar’.

Jerry brings fierce guard dog to defend his beer fridge

Many thanks to Tim for organising such an extremely successful event.

Only the tent-dweller was awake at sunup
Mike finally realises what a straight line is
A trailerful