Let me start by saying I probably owe you an apology – or at least an explanation. My last blog post, almost five years ago, hubristically proclaimed that I was here to stay, both as a rower and as a rowing blogger / podcaster. So that worked out well, right? In the following months I put out a few more podcast episodes, but then… silence. Five years of silence.
As many of you know, I had every reason to go quiet. In early 2022, my beautiful younger son, Will, died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of just 23, and almost immediately my parents and various elderly relatives started needing a huge amount of care. Although (gentle, social) rowing has been a big part of the healing process since then, I’ve had neither the energy nor the desire to write about rowing, and certainly not in my customary perky style. I haven’t been doing more than the occasional paddle, so there hasn’t been much to report on. Then a year after Will’s death, I started a job in comms, which involved a lot of social media and, briefly, podcasting, and which put paid to any notion of doing more of the same in my spare time.
Will
But that was then and this is now. I’ve moved on from the comms job and am contemplating what to do next. I’m spending a little more time on the river, and have even done one competitive event – the Head of the Dart, last October.
Whilst I’m in a confessional mood, there’s something else I ought to tell you, too: I’ve been playing away again, with a new hobby. Randomly (actually not for anyone who knows me well), I’ve taken up outdoor synchronised swimming (yep, it’s a thing). I can’t tell you how much I’ve been loving this new and ridiculous activity. I’ve longed to try synchro as long as I can remember, and combining it with outdoor swimming, which I’ve been banging on about for years is the icing on the cake. It even had me swimming, sans wetsuit, in the depths of the winter.
The Synchro Stingrays – that’s me third from the left
Now, then. I don’t think I’ll be reviving the podcast for the time being – it’s incredibly time-consuming – but I can’t deny I’m feeling the retro pull of blogging again, as I gradually build up my fitness and rediscover my competitive edge. I find myself wondering if former GOTR readers might enjoy coming along for the ride as I try to persuade my sluggish and still injury-prone body to cooperate, and my brain to accommodate the developments in coaching that have taken place in my absence.
So that’s where you come in. I’d love you to tell me what you think.
- Would you like to hear the occasional adventure of Girl on the River again?
- If so, how and where would you want to read it? Is blogging as dead as disco? Should I just keep it to social media or is there still room for a little bit of narrative alongside the pretty pictures?
- And if you do want to hear more, should I stick to writing about rowing or would you fancy hearing a bit about outdoor synchro as well?
- One more question. If you do think it’s time for a return to GOTR, is there anything in particular you’d like to read about?
Whatever you think (and do be honest!), it’d be lovely to hear from you! See you in the comments.
I would love for Girl on the River to return!
I want to heard about the gentle, social rowing and the swimming. Actually, I want to hear from you. I somehow connected with you and have missed your insights and conversations. GOTR is just that, it’s you. Keep on Keeping on. I will be listening.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Yes yes yes! Love your writing- your such a great writer and I love feeling connected to you as well as the wider rowing community.
More about pint sized (and masters) rowing and coxing – any of it!
Welcome back girl x
Ah, thank you, fellow pint-size! x
I”d love a return to GOTR. And if you want to publicise it to other masters, there’s a group on Facebook called Masters Rowing International that probably would love you.
Ah, that’s so kind, thank you Rebecca!
Welcome back, please do keep blogging. The odd bit of synchro if you must!
So sorry about Will. My son Jamie is the same age. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose him.
Thank you on all counts.
I’m so glad to see you back! I’ll happily read whatever you wish to write about as you have an entertaining way with words. So not just rowing but life in general and the escapades of synchro swimming (which isn’t on my bucket list but sounds fun)… If COVID had one positive it is the way we came together as a community and especially through rowing 🚣🏻♀️💛🚣🏻♀️
Amen to all of that!
Love your blog (it is nice to read things!)
Love to hear about your journey
Love to hear about anything you want to write about (plus of course rowing :))
Thank you, James!
I agree with the previous commenter, love to read things and very happy to come along for the ride on your new adventures. When I was a teenager my swimming teacher wanted me to join their synchro team but I was scared of her so turned it down. Definitely interested to hear about Girl In The River as well as Girl On The River.
Ah, thank you!
Ah, what a brilliant, aquatic return, even if maybe fleeting. I think you should literally go with the flow and write if you feel you want to, when you want too. It’s always lovely to see photos around, in, on or under water and also smiling faces. Stay light in life if you can.
Sounds like a good motto for life!
I would absolutely read about rowing and swimming and all of your adventures. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Will. I have a Will and I can’t imagine the pain you must have been through. I am sending you a mom hug through the ether from South Africa.
Ahhh, thank you, Carla. Love to you and (your) Will.
Believe it or not I was thinking about you just the other day! I’d love to see Girl on the River (or IN the river, as the case might be) back, where ever it’s taking you now.
I’ve had to quit rowing entirely due to long COVID so selfishly, I don’t mind if you’re not showing us pot after pot 😉 Your slices of life were always a joy. Glad to hear from you again.
That’s so lovely to hear, but sorry to hear you’ve had health problems. Having had ME/CFS (which ended my first career) I am aware how tough this is. Hope you are progressing.
Please do. I row and outdoor swim so enjoy reading about it.
thank you!
Loved to read your blog as a junior rower. Now have turned slightly older and would love to hear more from you!
Ah, thank you! Glad to hear you’ve stuck with it!