Today was the close annual BBQ.
Today it did what it has been doing seemingly for ever, it rained.
I took my taxi to church in drizzle this morning, came home in even lighter drizzle.
So far so good.
After a cup of tea and feet up for 20 minutes I looked out to see what stage the 'setter-uppers' had reached.
The long tent/marquee whatever it is called was in place in the road, tables set up along one of the inside 'walls' and some goodies were being brought out.
The massive barbeque was being set up at one end under its own giant umbrella.
Good, I thought, I'll just take the few odds and ends out of the oven, cover them in cling-film and add my wine to the collection.
A few of the stalwarts were setting out chairs etc and all looked good.
The sky was grey but it was dry, so the children set up their face-painting paraphernalia (a regular feature of this event) and the first 3 year old was rapidly acquiring a pale green face, courtesy of a five year old budding Picasso.
Someone brought out the gadget (don't know what it is called) which plays music as a background to our noisy chatter.
A dozen or so of us sat, glasses in hand, and started our tower of Babel catchup.
One hour later, having eaten some of the food and chat getting louder down came the first heavy drops, and two of the taller men started attaching the sides to the hitherto open tent. Just in time.
It rained and it rained and it rained. Two hours later it was still tanking down and the temperature was down several notches. It was now about 3.30pm.
That was when my inner wimp, cringing from the chill forced me to my frozen feet and with a "sorry, I am too cold to stay out, bye, see you next year" I fled.
Two hours later the noise from the tent was twice what it had been and I thought, shall I put something really warm on and go back out? Opening the door to test the temperature a blast of icy
gale-driven water made my mind up for me.
It is now nearly 10.30 and for the first time I can remember, the road is empty of people, lights, noise etc .
It would appear that I am not the only wimp in the close.
There is comfort in numbers :-)
Oh dear.....you do seem to have been very unlucky with the weather so I apologise for the sun filled days we are having down here! I'm sure the position will be reversed soon!
ReplyDeleteBe careful what you wish for Jean ,
ReplyDeleteToday (a holiday for me), I was going to get a bus to Milton Keynes,but instead of the dry with a few showers day we were promised. yes, that's right, it is pouring AGAIN !!!!
So I am working on how to breath under water without a wet suit etc. Please point the sun in our direction will you. :-)