We arrived on time at Heathrow and navigated our way to Henley easily enough - after meeting our hosts, exchanging some money for GBP, and getting a bite to eat we found our rented boat (a beautiful Empacher) and spent the next hour rigging, checking pitches, adjusting shoes and oars, etc.
We rowed the course twice and then had a solid dinner at the Row Barge which is under new management - the busy times of the regatta will surely stress the kitchen (slept like the dead afterwards).
This morning we again rowed the course twice and predictably made a ton of improvement off a post-airplane row - now it's back to the course in about ten minutes for the row to Reading. It should be a good way to find some swing together and get a little bit more for what we are putting in...great to see so many familiar faces and get a chance to catch up about what has gone on in the last calendar year. Thinking back to it, exactly a year ago we broke an oar in the qualifier and were eliminated. It's still not pleasant to think about but it doesn't sting as much anymore (perhaps time does heal all wounds!)
