For those unfamiliar, the BNY Mellon is an annual boat race along the Thames between the rowing teams of Oxford and Cambridge, and this year was the 160th year the rival teams were to race. And with Melissa unable to be involved, it was down to Pippa and I to carry the tradition. Which was just fine with us.
So we began the day with one of our favourite bottles of Rose, animatedly throwing clothes across the room at one another. Sadly our pre picked summer dresses were quickly discarded to the back of our wardrobes once more as mother nature forced us to return to outfits slightly more appropriate for the not so mild temperatures.
Shirt- Zara
Jeans- Jack Wills
Shoes- Topshop, similar here
Finally ready, we headed into W6. While the boatrace website highlights a whole host of bars and restaurants along the river to catch a glimpse of the race, The Crabtree is almost perfectly in the middle, plus it does the meanest jug of Pimms. It also has a large garden overlooking the Thames laden with tables and benches to sit a small army. Which is the perfect description for the hoards of people filling the pub that afternoon. Pippa and I quickly found ourselves a spot right by the hog roast and ordered a jug for two. Amy and Sophia joined us soon after and the afternoon quickly turned into the ideal combination on drinking and gossip while we awaited the race.
I've never really had an Oxbridge preference, but considering I was team Cambridge last year, I decided I would root for them again this year. So as 6pm drew around, laden with flags, we slowly and not so elegantly made our way to the waters edge. Everyone gathered around to eagerly await the first glimpse of the teams and erupted into elation as the first boat came round the corner ten minutes in.
Sadly Oxford lead from the beginning and rode to an easy victory, but our spirits were certainly not dampened as we tumbled out of the bar. And we're already looking forward to next year…
