Putney Boat Race

Yesterday was Easter in England, as much as it was for sure in most of the EU's country. This year, I am staying here and not going back home for Easter, not even traveling, even if I would have loved to be in Murcia and experience the famous Bando de la Huerta, but hey I am in London anyway, right?

I did not know what to do until a friend of mine told me that every year, this period of the year, there would be a boat race in the nice area of Putney. 

Two famous team will compete, Oxford versus Cambridge. Female and male participants started the race at 3 pm, ladies first, followed by the men straight after. Each single race lasts about 30 minutes or so, they had about 20 minutes break between one another, which gave the time to have something to eat or drink. 

Source:http://www.tatler.com/news/articles/april-2015/the-insiders-guide-to-the-university-boat-race

Putney area

Putney is a nice and green area located in the south-west of London, which offers many things to do and also, many things to see. 

To reach the area you can opt for different transports, train, underground or buses, depending on where your depart point is. With the train stop at Putney railway station, with the bus stop at Putney high street and with the tube, you can stop at Putney Bridge or Putney East. Within a 10 minutes walk distance, you are in the heart of Putney. 

What to do 

The area offers shops, pubs, bars and cafes, where to eat, drink or shop. There are also different green areas all around the area, and finally the river. You can sit facing the river or you could go to one of the many pubs, that face the river as well and enjoy a drink there. If you want to take a stroll down the main road, you can enjoy a sunny day by visiting the church, which is at the end of the main street and relax outside if the weather allows you to do so. 

Boat race

Source:https://theenglishmanner.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/the-oxford-and-cambridge-boat-race/

As the boat race happens in the river, what is the best to do, is to go to one of the pubs that during this day are free to entry and crowded of people. They play music and have windows for you to see the race from inside, in case the weather is not the best, as many times happen to be in London. Yesterday, in fact, the weather was very naughty and therefore, we have been inside a very nice pub, that faces the river. It also had a screen, so that you could follow the race until the end. 

They also sell burgers and hot dogs, which is what we have been eating yesterday. However, there are many other places where to eat, at a very near walk distance, so you can choose to leave the pub and go eat somewhere else if the options the offer are not of your taste. We also had a bottle of wine, which costs about 10 pounds each,for a total of 20 pounds and we have spent about 6 pounds each to eat. Once again, London is very expensive, but the boat race is only once per year, so I believe it is worth it to go and enjoy the atmosphere. Everybody was dancing and drinking, having fun until late at night. 

Source:http://www.tatler.com/news/articles/april-2015/the-insiders-guide-to-the-university-boat-race

It was a very nice experience, which I wish to repeat next year if it happens to be living still in London. 

Transports

One of the cool thing about London is that even if the calendar marks a red day, so it is holidays for everyone, transports are always available. Of course, that would be some lines that do not work on those days, but it is  generally easy to move from a place to another without any problems at all. I went back home with the underground, which was operating most lines, and it was fast and regular almost as usual. 

The weather, unfortunately, was the only downside of the day. However, as English people are so used to it, the party was still going on, which it might sound funny, but surely positive. People were still going around the area, dancing in the pubs and there is where you can meet the most various people, coming from all over the world. 

Source: http://mapio.net/o/1836129/

Thumbs up to the boat race, for which Oxford female team won against the Cambridge team and for the male race, Cambridge won over Oxford. Sad times for me, as I am for Oxford all my life. 

Finally, if you decide to go pay a visit to Putney, you know what to do, but mostly, you should go next year during this period of the year as it offers an experience worth the try.