Pre-dawn is the rowers world. Well, ok, there are sometimes bicyclists and runners out and about, too. But rowers are creatures who, characteristically, emerge at that hour regardless of the cold and dark.

Once you launch, bow lights blinking quietly into the mist, you could swear you’re mostly alone. Then you find you are suddenly surrounded by other boats slipping along on either side, almost touching oars with your boat. You didn’t hear them or see their silvery silohuettes but you adjust and everyone continues on course. It’s as if you rowed out into and joined a stealth armada that was already on its way to do battle upriver.

You hear some birds, a distant train whistle, some water splashing, the thunk of rowers pulling steadily in unison. Then slowly the contrast of light changes as forms become more distinct. Dawn approaches and you are right there in nature to greet the new day.