Lest you believe it’s all been riots and bank crisises, I’d like to add that the absolute antithesis of these events occurred along the River Thames last weekend – the annual Oxford and Cambridge boat race. Their top rowers (only six of which, between the two teams were actually English) raced between the banks of west London and I, along with my friends Sarah and Steve, headed down to watch.

The weather was cooperating and so there were thousands of people, all in their Oxford and Cambridge gear, converged along the riverbank. It was an area that I was at least passingly familiar with as I had gone on a few walks there when the weather was nice, but I had never seen it like this, swarming with people, food stalls, beer gardens, and posh British accents (well, ok that last one had always been there).

We wedged our way in between the other spectators just in time to see the boats approaching. The two rower’s boats were nearly neck and neck (and to be honest I wouldn’t have know which was which anyway) but amusingly, behind them were nearly two dozen other boats, all filled with either fans, video equipment, medical staff and police.

The boats were in our view for about 30-40 seconds (the entire race is around 15 min long) before disappearing through the bridge. With nothing but empty river in view, we fought our way through the crowd to a busy park with people out enjoying the sun where we gathered through various cheers and shouts that Oxford had won that year.

I’ve never been to a car race (actually I don’t think I’ve ever been to any sort of race, to be honest) but I think it would be similar. A moment of thrill as they pass then just wondering what’s happening for the rest of the time. All the same, it was a quintessentially British event that I’m glad I didn’t miss. Next up, the Royal Ascot!