Day 5 - Almost half-way!

Having just finished day 5 and rowed a total of 69 miles, we are now almost half way through our row.  The river is getting wider and outside towns it’s still as remote as ever. For a while we joined a lovely lady called Jo who is kayaking the length of the navigable river to raise money for Parkinson’s UK, who took the attached photos of us rowing. In Pangborne we watched the local lads jumping into the river from the road bridge.  Tonight, we are now staying at the Premier Inn in Reading, with the boat moored at the Reading Rowing Club (thanks to the lovely people there). 

Dad is now 77 but is probably fitter and stronger than many people in their 40’s. However I don’t really think of him as elderly.  We were both exhausted and had aching backs when we checked into the hotel.  However Dad only sat still for 20 minutes before he set off to go to Wickes to get some wood to strengthen the upright post that the panoramic mirrors are mounted on (it wobbles around quite a lot - which is fine, but not ideal).  He said he didn’t need a taxi, but walk to get even more exercise.  Wickes is 40 minutes walk away. Dad doesn’t shy away from exercise or physical challenges and it seems to be keeping him remarkably youthful.