Henley Day 1

Kevin arrived in Oxford the morning after me, and together we we hopped on the train to the stop where I have always wanted to arrive: Henley-on-Thames. The song from the Henley scene in the social network was already playing in my head (and coming out of my mouth), as it would be for much of the day. It was truly a spectacle to see such a large group of people, young and old, connected by their love of rowing in the place most famous for it. It was also a spectacle to see all the fancy suits, garish colors, and giant hats (I did my part wearing my blue-gray Sperrys, seersucker pants and shirt, blue tie and blazer, original RayBans on Y150 croakies, and my pink stewards enclosure pass). 

The stewards enclosure was a great area to hang out, watch the races, and drink pimms, a delicious drink that reminds me a little too much of 2014 Y150 formal. I also met a Yale Heavy class of 2011 alumnus in the enclosure, wearing his Henley blazer, and we shared stories Derek Johnson, Yale, and rowing in general. There are other Yale heavies, as well as YWC here, so hopefully we can see them on Saturday. After the races had ended for the day, Kevin and I headed to a pub near the finish line called The Angel, where I had my first English fish and chips (good, not great) and another pimms (great!). 

We thought the excitement had ended for the day while waiting for the train back to Oxford, but in the mad rush for seats, we boarded the wrong train, ended up in London, two hours out of the way, and didn't get home until past midnight. We had some good conversation on the train though, which helped pass the 4 hour ride. 

N.B. For whatever reason, be it the long sunlight hours (about 4-11) , the fact that I am doing so much and loving all of it, or the lack of sleep which I'm not loving, the days seems really long yet really short at the same time. It's hard to explain, but it is a great feeling!