From Wargrave to Chertsey

The volcano’s clouds can’t stop Clodia: we may be slow, but we go!

Wargrave to ChertseyAfter the days spent in Wargrave at the Bushnell Marina, things took up a brisker pace. Colin Henwood, who has built many a famous boat for the Thames (see the Henwood and Dean site) a lovely man – and wife Lucy – put us up at their home.

As well as lending us equipment and materials to complete the works, on a wonderful evening in Henley, Colin entertained us with his tales spent on the Thames. We were also treated to the alluring sound of bagpipes across the green meadows.

The nights in the tent are rather damp and cold, with morning frost and warm sun in the daytime: but here, the water is lovely. It’s smells – and feels – so fresh.

Jacopo and I are continually surprised by a river that is safeguarded so well: the vegetation and wildlife are really plentiful. The landscape changes continually and the houses are designed in harmony with nature.

The Thames is a huge resource, one that everybody here is proud of. It’s an example of excellence in management.

Wargrave to Chertsey
 
Yesterday, after 25 km and another 4 locks, we reached Bray, where the Bray Marina allowed us to stay for free for the night and Aberdeen camping site gave us a pitch at a giveaway price, which our photographer Massimo kindly put up!

The river flows quite slowly here and we can make about 25 km a day. Our rowing synchronism is still in need of finer tuning. Jacopo is doing well on the oars .. I’m the one who’s rather rusty!

Wargrave to ChertseyThis evening we reached Chertsey, in Surrey, after passing Windsor (the castle is amazing!).

After yet another lock (we have done about 15 so far), we sought a mooring place and entered a canal where we find some “live-aboards”, which are houseboats where the owners live permanently. We were not allowed to moor there and ended up in a public zone, which didn’t seem too safe. So off we went to the prettiest Marina: well, we can only try…

At the reception, amidst all the luxury pleasure boats, a lovely young lady told us that the cost was £20. Then we told her about the project and the price went down to … £0 (and she even offered us a coffee, a pin-badge and a bag with a ladybird: really pretty!).

Tonight we sleep in the warm at a B&B. They are friends of Claire, who is also the Bates Marina owner’s wife. We are surprised and touched by peoples’ warmth.

Wargrave to ChertseyClodia is doing just fine. Today, with only the mizzen raised, we were even able to sail on some breeze. It was another day with lots of encounters, we will tell you more about soon.

Everyone is very curious to know about us and are genuinely interested in our our story. One person gave us 10 pounds as a good start to our fund-raising activity!

Unfortunately our resolution to live at a zero budget is still not fully applicable: there are many of us and we have to share. The film crew of the documentary cannot be abandoned and as far as possible we try to keep together.

A big “thank you” to Michele, who has helped us so much and who endured a crazy journey to get home, leaving us with Martina, who will be part of the group for a while. We already feel like so many Forrest Gumps.

A presto.

 

Taking on Thames

taking on thames
A brand new set of photos from the first two days of the journey, by Michele Spiller.
Check them out on Flickr!

Thank you Michele (who is now stuck in London due to the volcanic ash from Iceland…)

 

The time has come

BushnellIt’s nearly time for the off!

We are at Wargrave, close to Henley on Thames, the temple of rowing! We are receiving wonderful hospitality. The Bushnell Marina is putting us up on the Thames in an enchanting setting: lots of boats and all the right tools for those last-minute jobs on the boat (which got here in perfect condition) that always prove necessary.

There are a lot of us here. There’s Massimo the photographer and Nicola the director of the documentary to be filmed about our journey, with his assistant Alessandro. The journey here was a long one: a stop-off at a motorway service station in a tent in the freezing cold, the snow when crossing the Alps; and then on to Calais. So many miles – and all in a car running on LPG.

The Channel is already scaring me a bit: those currents and tides are really strong.

The last two days have been interesting. We’ve been working and meeting some nice people: Paddy Poltock, Roland’s brother, Simon, Rosie, Sam and many more besides. The English countryside is lovely. It’s well looked-after. You can tell that a lot of care is given to the environment. The river produces well-being. It makes me think of so many missed opportunities in Italy.

I’m writing this from the tent. Three of us sleep in it. It’s chilly but the sky is clear.

Life is great. We are eating on what little cash we have left and the hospitality of our friends. Still a few hours to go, then we’re off!

Our best wishes to all of you.

 

The boat has left Venice!

It almost seems unreal. Up until the last moment, there were still holes to drill and screws to tighten. Then, a couple of hours later than originally planned, we were off.

Leaving Giudecca
 

After a few strokes of the oars, a light breeze started up: Jacopo and Giorgio, the canoe instructor and our third crew member, were able to sit back and enjoy. The sails are perfect. Ombra and Daniela from CO.RE. have done a great job.

The Canottieri Giudecca gave us a super send-off. We were honoured by having Giovanna della Toffola give a “toss the oars”, a thrill we were sorry to have missed reciprocating in the emotions of the moment.

We also thank Michael the Viking, who followed us with his boat, as well as Giovanni, Niccolo and Diana (whose masts, and more besides, will be travelling with us), Maurizio Raunich, Radames (who gave us fishing tackle) and many other friends besides.

Jacopo and GiorgioThen we lowered the sails and reached San Giuliano by rowing. Overall, a little farther than 8 km, covered in 1 hour 15 minutes. Thank you Giorgio!

With great generosity, Bebi Bruson and Sandro Rallo transported the boat – with us – to Motta di Livenza; not without one or two tricky moments!

De Girolami, and Gianni in particular, waited for us until well after the closing time and the boat left, full of our dreams and good intentions.

We will join it by train at Wargrave, close to Henley on Thames, at the Bushnell dock facility.

Thank you everyone! When we leave, every one of you will be on board with us.

 

We’re almost ready!

There is still some work to be done. Then Clodia will be ready to leave Venice. After three months spent in Lago Art Waiting Room, in the last two weeks we have been working in the open air, where we have had to contend with rain and snow. But at last spring has sprung!

Canottieri GiudeccaCanottieri Giudecca, a prestigious rowing club with marvelous people, hosted and helped us. I wish to thank Giovanna della Toffola, winner of four Venice Historical Regattas: she gave us warmth and really a lot of help.

Many friends have been supporting us in a miracle called solidarity: Silvio Lago was extraordinary, Niccolo Zen built some wonderful masts, Michael Kierkgaard put a touch of real Viking history on Clodia by shaping Norse oars for us. We are also grateful to Diana, Massimo Di Nonno, Jacopo, Giulia Julita, Alfonso, who fed us in our crazy working days.

The boat was tested in the Giudecca Canal and it’s fantastic. It flies gracefully over the water: thanks to Roland, Clodia must be your masterpiece.

Clodia on water
 
Yesterday we received an unexpected but most appreciated visit: Guillemette Dufouleur, “pianiste de l’aventure” and Christophe Clavet, “photographe de l’aventure”. They told us the story of their journey on a bicycle powered by human and solar power, and transporting a piano.

They are travelling across Europe to bring music where is not supposed to be and taking poetry to all of us. You can find more information on their trip at www.pianotrip.com. A fantastic and enlightened project: I hope to meet them very soon along our path as they will coast the Danube for quite some time.

pianotrip

 
After the Cello of Mario Brunello, what about the Piano of Guillemette Dufouleur? I will try to make it happen.

The last weeks have been proved to be a tough time for me, racing around to meet people, begging for help, finding stuff, giving interviews and finishing the boat. But I am very happy indeed. Jacopo is a fantastic companion and all the people I met… so I am both breathless and speechless: I’d have never reached this point without all their support.

On Thursday 8th, Clodia will be put into water to leave Canottieri Giudecca and reach a “De Girolami” truck, which will take the Ness Yawl to Wargrave (UK) on the Thames, at the Bushnell Boatyard, for free. A few boats will accompany us: it will be a very emotional moment for me.

Take care my friends. Be water.

Giacomo

 

A message from Mr Potočnik

We just received a message of encouragement from the European Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Janez Potočnik:
Commissioner Potocnik

“I am happy to send a message of support to Giacomo De Stefano, the Man on the River.

Your journey from London to Istanbul is an example to us all of how we can treat the environment more respectfully. As European Commissioner for the Environment, I know just how important it is that we pay more attention to our ecosystems and to the biodiversity we depend on so much – sometimes without even realizing it! You have found a gentle and effective way of reminding us just how much we have to lose.

From a ‘Man in Brussels’, to the ‘Man on the River’, I wish you the best of luck in your journey – it’s a worthwhile one!”

A warm thank you to Mr Potočnik from Giacomo and all the team!