Well this the end of the good times here in Belgium, we are about 20 minutes away from leaving the Novotel in Mechelen (20 mins from where we train) and heading out to the Bloso rowing centre to stay in 'chalets' by the lake. Goodye air conditioning, comfortable king sized beds and hello Mozzies and sweaty nights. At least we won' thave to sit around waiting for vans to and from the lake now.

The last 10 days have been pretty intense training wise, though from memory I always say that about our training. It hasn't been as hot here in Belgium but definately a bit more humidity. Mechelen has definately grown on me, the town centre has alot of character, plenty of narrow cobbled streets, excellent cafes and meandering canals. If it weren't for the whole rowing thing would quite a nice place to hang out for awhile I'd imagine.

We have added a few more members to the team taking us up to a group of 33 now, pretty solid considering last year we had about half that number. Those joining us include the U23 World Champion coxed four; Duncan Grant, lightweight single sculler; Wayne Maher, coach and science coordinator for NZ Rowing. We lost our Massuss Steve Burden, his thumbs of steel will be missed luckily Kate Harper has agreed to is join us in another week.

What else... I think when last I updated was in the Czech Republic, though not sure how much sense that one made as it was midnight and I was definately feeling a little crazy from the heat. We did have a reasonable training block at the course there, there were a couple of interruptions for rowing and kayak regattas but for the most part the water was good. We spent alot of time trying to improve how we were moving around in the boat, though as I've been told a number of times rowing isn't a dressage sport so I am trying not to get to hung up over it, our training speeds and times have been ok so I guess that counts more.

 

Two crews from the New Zealand Kayak team were at the course the few days before we left and they kindly let us try out their K4, man that is alot harder than it looks, funniest had to be Carl Meyer trying the K1 he got about one metre before toppling over. It was interesting to see the huge difference in balance required between a race kayak and a rowing scull, I'd say a tricycle and a unicycle is about the difference!!!

The New Zealand Juniors were preparing here for the first week, nice to see the juniors here actually, they're all as keen as mustard and after seven weeks of touring that definately helped pick up my enthusiasm again. The junior regatta is always a tough one for Kiwi crews not sure how they'll do results wise but I'm sure they'll be better for the experience.

Righto, off to sleep, hopefully all the summer camp kids in the chalets next door will calm down soon, though I think the camp instructors method of selling fizzy drinks and chocolate to them at 9'o'clock at night might make that wish a futile one. Ah well I guess thats why god invented ear plugs.