FREELANCE photographer Chris Saville from Bere Alston and lifelong friend Paul Killingback from Wandsworth, London, fulfilled a lifelong ambition last Saturday, when they completed a gruelling row along the Thames from Lechlade to Richmond in just eight days.

The pair, who first met aged five at primary school, decided to celebrate their 50th birthdays this year by taking to the water aboard a Thames skiff called Maegan, built in 1888.

The 130-mile row started near the source of the Thames at navigation limit at Lechlade and went through some of Britain's most tranquil countryside, camping along the way at locks, and even spending one night on Uri Gellar's front lawn at Sonning!

Chris said: 'Paul and I grew up close to the Thames at Shepperton, Middlesex, and spent many happy days as kids fishing and mucking about on the river, so it was inevitable we would row the entire length one day.

'We saw some fabulous scenery and wildlife, and met some lovely people along the way.

'One highlight was seeing a now very rare watervole going about its business near Goring, along with red kites, kingfishers, and a barn owl.We even managed to squeeze in a couple of wold cup games.

'Maegan coped incredibly well with our dodgy rowing styles, and did us proud for a grand old lady of the Thames.'

Fittingly, Chris decided to raise money for the RNLI during the row, and would like to thank everone who made a donation and offered support along the way.

He added: 'The RNLI do a superb job here in the Westcountry, and hopefully I will have helped a little by raising a few hundred pounds for them. There is still time to make a donation by going to http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Saville">www.justgiving.com/Chris-Saville or simply popping a few pounds in a collection tin when you see one.'