Glorious Precipitation!
Glorious Precipitation!
Event: St. Martin’s Sunday Clubs Tea Treat
Time-and place: 10:45am – 11th July, Porthminster Beach, St. Ives, Cornwall
Weather: Refer to title!
We had been pre-warned by a fairly accurate weather forecast, but being eternal optimists (and the train tickets had already been paid for!) a party of some 20 adults and 13-ish younger ones arrived ready to enjoy themselves at all costs. Two senior St. Martinites even set out from home by 8:30 am to arrive ready to indulge in their now traditional full English breakfast in town, commenting to each other every few minutes – “I think it’s clearing”. They joined the main party from the train and the general melee of putting up tents and canvas chairs began.
“Putting up tents” was a somewhat simplistic description, I think the task was worthy of the Krypton Factor! The skills of Mr. G. were called upon, but after the third one I think he had had enough and he wasn’t too happy when a little one ran over his sandy masterpiece either! Sand castles were made and judged and pocket money spent – and then the man with the pasties arrived! Now came the tricky bit, 2 people in a small open fronted tent, heads bent forward so as not to touch the wet roof, holding a pasty in one hand, a hot cup of tea in the other and balancing an open umbrella to keep their legs dry! Neither easy nor elegant but believe me – do-able! Carol R. gave a good impression of a multicoloured tortoise as her rather large umbrella slid slowly down over her head. Brian’s face was a study when his half-empty mug of tea seemed to have mysteriously refilled itself! Nobody had the heart to tell him it was the rain pouring off a neighbour’s brolly into his cup. The young ones seemed oblivious, playing in the sea and inventing new games – who cares if it’s wet! And to be fair some of the more courageous adults did join in a game of rounders.
The mizzle had now developed into serious rain and several suitably dressed passers-by (in anoraks and wellies!) stared, confirming in their minds, I’m sure, that “those Camborne folk are mad!” Eventually enough was enough even for the most stalwart and the thought of soggy teatreat buns was too much to bear so most of the party repaired to the station or their cars and wended their way home, passing Marlene and Buck as they just arrived. Sorry, folks, you missed all the fun – who said we were fair weather Christians!
PS: The saffron buns were great the next day in a dry, warm Church Hall.