So yesterday, Saturday.. we went to the Oxford/Cambridge boat race. Be still my beating heart... it was increadible. Okay, so around town this is referred to as "The Boat Race". All the posters, web site yadda yadda, that's what they call it. When I found out we would be here when it was going on, I wanted to GO! So... we DID!!! IT was AMAZING!!!!! So this boat race has been going on for an amazing 153 years! Incredible. And to tie it in even better to our whole London experience, the company Gabe is at, Xchanging, sponsored it!!! Love them even more!!!!!

So the race goes for 4 miles, we decided that we would watch at the middle section of the race, which took us just west of the Hammersmith Bridge. It was a mere 3 tube stops from us, so very easy to get to. We got there about 2 hours before the race, and it was crowded with people, and a very happy, jovial, and friendly atmosphere. We had packed a picnic, but walked around to see some sights... we went to the Furnivall Sculling Club right by the bridge, and bought my very first taste of Pimms. They were selling the british springtime cocktail, the Pimms Cup.. So, I was not familiar, but looking around it was a very popular drink...and Gabe ordered one and handed it to me, and told me about it. Pimms is a liquor that has some secret spices.. blah. blah. blah, and they mix it with lemonade, cucumber, mint leaves, apple, and oranges... YUM YUM YUM.... I'm sold. I love it. After that we headed back to the lawn and spread out amongst all the other picnicers. The kids thought it was so fun and fabulous. Mary-Mae was quite taken with the picnic right next to us, comprised of about 9 good looking young British people, she thought they had better food, better drinks, better blanket, and it was pretty much all I could do to keep her from rushing them and asking if she could be with them.

After the picnic we headed up the path along the Thames and found a spot along a wall, and hung out there dinking some pints for an hour before the race started.. securing a spot on the wall is quite a task, but we did it, and were fortunate to be located next to the ice cream truck which kept the kids happy while waiting, and a nice family with three kids who played soccer with our kids, when the race went off the kids were SO excited, and they came down the river rowing in an amazing form..

Following the two crews were about 10 or so beautiful wooden boats filled with coaches and other "important" people. It was quite a sight to see. When the race went by us, Oxford was ahead by about 3 seats.. and with the moving of the oars, and the yelling of the coxswain, and the cheering of the crowds.. you felt the importance of the moment. This was the moment that many of those men imagined when they decided what school to attend. Who did they want to row for? This was the moment they all thought about everyday when they woke up at 4 am to head to the boathouse, this was the moment... what was going to happen... it was thrilling to watch. Cambridge, favored to win, pulled ahead and won. But we didn't care, even though before hand I had decided to root for Oxford.

It was a very British experince, and we all had a great time.