WATCHET Sea Rowing Club spent three hours 45 minutes crossing some 18 miles of water and got soaked - in champagne. On the hottest day of the year so far, the club rowed its two 24ft French Class boats across the Bristol Channel from South Wales to raise funds for Watchet Carnival. The boats were transported by road to Barry Yacht Club for the start of the journey where the crews were given a warm reception. The mixed crew boats, Fantasy and Quiver, left Barry harbour at 1.25pm after being waved off by Watchet Carnival Queen and supporters. A crew from Barry Rowing Club in its coxed-four Celtic longboat also accompanied the Watchet boats for the first few miles. They were also escorted part-way by safety boats from Barry - as Watchet safety boats motoring towards them to provide help if needed. But the crossing was uneventful even though there were very few large ships to avoid - and the boats were invaded by a swarm of flies! Quick time was made on the homeward stretch, with crews only stopping to change coxswains and drink water. As the West Somerset coastline came closer, they were met by a flotilla from Watchet Boat Owners Association as well as the noise of horns and whistles, a cheering crowd and a tuneful welcome from Watchet Town Band organised by Watchet Carnival. The club would like to thank Barry Yacht Club, Watchet Carnival, Watchet Boat Owners Association, the safety boat officers and everyone else who made the event such a success. Members of the Fantasy crew were Bob Hornby, Janet Grieve, Margaret Taylor, Johnny Abbott- Garner, Matthew Jones. Rowing the Quiver were James Abbott-Garner, Trent Morton, Tara Jones, Ken Allan and club captain Lesley Abbott-Garner.