Punting

I finally got to go punting today.  It POURED on us though!!!  We encountered some serious rain.  I was the first one to get onto the boat so they handed me the super long stick, and assumed that I would somehow know how to work that thing.  And then it just started raining so hard.  I went no where.  It was one of those moments where I was so overwhelmed that I didn't know what to do.  (I do the same thing in job interviews.)  Finally all the boats cleared about and then someone took over my position and tried it themselves, and they didn't do a whole lot better, though they moved the boat at least!  So I took a go at it again and was much better that time and moved us up and down the river a good distance, even parking the boat!  I'm pretty dang proud of myself.  

So for those of you who haven't visited cambridge, punting is done on a large skinny boat.  You have to stand on the back of the boat, with seriously like a jousting stick and then push the boat along by pushing the stick against the bottom of the river bed.  It is very difficult to go straight.  Plus, you are constantly trying to find your balance as to not fall into the river (made even more difficult in Toms on a wet, slippery surface).  It would be very peaceful and relaxing if you had a guide, or even a figure who had any clue what to do, but alas, we had none of the above, so us five girls had to figure it out on our own.  It was quite the adventure.

Mathematical Bridge:

Here, you can see the other people punting.  Its not easy...

This is probably one of the 25 times we ran into the wall.  

My second try:

Right outside the college gates:

Nicole in front of our gate.  After a certain hour, those gates are locked.  

Library: (Where I have already spent several hours)