Page 124 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

132 EAGLE AND CARBINE
free crossing, it was too good an opportunity not to visit the Needles lighthouse where I was able to row near the rocks, although calm and peaceful, I was only too aware of what a dangerous place it can be in bad weather and it was with some relief that I climbed aboard Dale’s rib for our return to Hythe Marina.
I rowed down four local rivers during the year. My second river was to be the Medina in the Isle of Wight. I asked permission from the Harbour Master in Cowes and after an in-depth interview on Skype it was agreed that with careful control, I was given permission to row the river during ‘Cowes Classic Week’. I started from the Folly Inn and rowed to the Royal London Yacht Club. To ensure my safety the Harbour Master had organised two escort boats and a police launch so together with Dale in his escort boat and his friend in another rib I arrived in Cowes with an escort of five boats! I think the enthusiastic crowd of onlookers in Cowes who were leaning over the railings on the main street thought that I had come from France or possibly I was an illegal immigrant! I was greeted with clapping and cheering from the onlookers, but no, it was only me in a tin boat having paddled the three miles down from the Folly Inn!
On the 22nd September I rowed down the
Arun River from Amberley to the Black
Horse pub in Arundel. I set off at high tide.
What a beautiful river with virtually no
signs of human habitation as one snakes down this fast-moving river. After the first mile I was spotted by the local resident seal that lives in the upper reaches of the Arun. He followed me down the river for at least 2 miles before satisfying his curiosity. The only hazard on the way were the fallen trees and vegetation that were in the river, so with the swift current, it would have been difficult to disentangle, had I been caught in the vegetation.
The Hamble River was interesting; the upper reaches north of the M27 is a wildlife
paradise, full of birds and I was lucky to see two kingfishers, but below the motorway the lower reaches are full of moored boats that reminded me of a car park, it being a sea of yachts, which presented a serious hazard. Had I collided with a moored boat or buoy in the strong current it could have ended my travels, not a trip to be repeated in Tintanic.
The adventures I have had over the past three years have been rewarding; I have managed to raise money
for good causes but it is not all about
the money but the friendships I have made, the good humour and generous good wishes from those I have met on the way. It has made the last three years a very special experience which I hope to continue next year. I should like to thank once more the generosity of the readers of this paper, without their help, I would not have been able to realise my dreams.
There have been many compliments which I have received, the majority not deserved, but the one I most treasure is from the teenagers, when they call me “cool”. This for me, a man over 82, is very special! Lastly the generous comments on my “Just Giving” page have kept up my spirits and has made it all worthwhile. My favourite comment was posted by a friend, that reads “The world really needs this brand of lunatic behaviour. Its wonderfully generous of your time and imagination. Keep gong and ignore the men in white coats”. Thank you all and The Daily Telegraph for your help and generosity.
Letter from the Prime Minister to Micj Stanley