A toast to the rowers’ victory

Apr 14, 2002

One thing Speke Resort Munyonyo has become synonymous with when big galas take place, is pink champagne.

By Timothy BukumunheOne thing Speke Resort Munyonyo has become synonymous with when big galas take place, is pink champagne. Last Sunday, the resort carted out the crates of bubbly to welcome back the six battered and bruised rowers along with their support crew. They had for the past six days rowed 450 kilometres from Mwanza, Tanzania to Speke Resort, Munyonyo in the aid of charity.They braved the bad weather and rowed in at precisely 1:48pm on Sunday. Some family and well-wishers however, could not wait for that time and organised a flotilla of boats to go out and meet them somewhere in the vast expanse of Lake Victoria.The support boat came in first with a crew all beetroot red from the sun –– Nick Cavell, Ashleigh Myers, John Gibbons and Sanjiv Patel to a Hawaiian style welcome –– leis, or garlands for the uninitiated –– and bindis (Indian style).Then the rowers Paul Gilks, David Case, Ken Opitto, Paul and Andrew Spyropolous and Mike Kontos were received to a thunderous applause. When they hit the beach, most of them simply stood looking out to the lake, unable to comprehend what they had just achieved. One or two of them stood huddled with their family just wanting to get away, something which was impossible because the party was set to begin.The usual suspects and the dominant expat community were obviously there –– Erik van Veen, Sudhir Ruparelia, Wendy Roy, Steve Stringer......I think you get the gist. Quaffing on pink champagne, we toasted to the heros’ success, listened to speeches, got a chance to see Charlie Case’s bruised and charred bottom. We also heard about those who fell sea sick and what not, and of course got an insight on Sanjiv Patel’s cooking: it didn’t amount to much they said, but they were grateful nevertheless. As the evening wore on and the rate of quaffing reduced, the beers came out and we were treated to music by Queen, ABBA –– all with an old-boy club theme. Some danced the night away, but one thing that would not stop were the praises. Boys, we salute you!ends

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