The race is 32 kilometres from the basin at San Marco. Bev's team along with many others launched their craft at the other end of the Grand Canal - with a long row even before the start and a long return row after the finish. Bev and Bruce were up before dawn to prepare, the rest of us planning to avoid getting in everyone's way and considerately sleeping in.
The Hotel Rialto's smallish terrace overlooks the Grand Canal and provided a prime viewing platform pending our return from watching the start. Expected huge spectator crowds did not materialise - perhaps with the Canal and the basin being closed to the vaporettos people couldn't be bothered walking. The crowds grew along the canal towards finishing time but did not interfere with our view from the hotel terrace atop the 4th floor. We spent exhausting hours waiting for Bev's boat to pass down the home stretch - the hot sun made the wine drinking a testing task.
The first Vogalonga began to protest against the growing use of powerboats in Venice and the swell damage they do to the historic city.
Any kind of rowing craft can take part from canoes to dragon boats with no limt on the number of rowers. In 2007 there was a record of 5,600 participants in more than 1,500 craft.
Motor craft are banned from the Grand Canal for the duration of the race.
A gondola would make a pefect spectating point.
There were few spectators at San Marco overlooking the starting point, but a huge armada of boats gathered in the basin for the starting gun from an Italian navy ship.
Photo courtsey of Herbert - cox, photographer and ballast.
Bev's crew row past as they head down the Grand Canal to the finish - Bevvie in her bright yellow Surf Life Saving top. Herbert the cox was a huge guy - the size of a 500 horsepower outboard motor but without the propulsive advantages. Didn't seem to slow them down
The Swiss contingent. Hans-Peter, Bev, Kathrin, Karin and Maximilian Zimmermann, Gaby, Albert Schlatter and Catherine Schneider
Hans-Peter Roth (Stroke), Bev Tener, Kathrin Hubacher, Maximilian Zimmermann (Bow) & Herbert Bay (Cox).
Congratulations Bevvie! Job well done.
La Fungii a la ferry
Hotel Minerva. 5 stars from us.
Cheers for the bubbles Bruce!
Overlooking the Bay of Naples. Lovely!
Hotel Marina Piccola.
Walkway to the ferry.
"The bus drove off without Rita"
"Where'd everyone go?"
"I wonder how i'd look in a straw hat."
"Lookin' good!"
Bev reminisces about Capt Spiros & Santorini.
"Spiros Shmiros."
It looks like they're standing vertically but they must be at an angle. 5.5 degrees.
Walking trail, Manarola to Monterosso.
A stray sprog photobombs Lyn and Rita on a Venetian bridge.
Bev + grotto + PVC piping.
Back alley away from the crazy crowds.
Grumpy Old Mens club, Havar Branch.
Personable geezer. Marina della lobra
I'm sure that light above his head is just coincidence.
A cellist in a tunnel
This guy's tempo picked up whenever a group of tourists walked past.
There was some sort of medieval festival going on.
Not busking, basking.
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