As 2015 is our centenary year, the CHS Committee decided to ring the changes and heat up the summer party with a barbecue. The weather forecasts were not wrong and we awoke on Sunday morning to lashings of wind and rain – perfect conditions for outdoor dining. But we gardeners are made of sturdier stuff and carry on regardless of the elements so it was “GAME ON”.
Alastair, Henry, John and I did battle with the gazebo and finally got it in place in the Trading Hut forecourt. We then positioned the barbecues under this only to find that it was not going to keep the elements at bay and retired to the relative shelter of the real undercover area. A good move as some thirty minutes later the gazebo was on its side, swept away by a sudden gust of wind.
Despite the weather, over fifty CHS members and friends turned out in their waterproofs for a very enjoyable lunch. There were burgers, sausages, kebabs and salads, drinks – alcoholic or otherwise – and superb company.
As an extra special treat, we arranged for local entrepreneur Michele, from Non Solo Gelato, to come along and provide ice cream and sorbet. Sadly, because of the weather, he was not able to arrive on his fabulous Dolce Vita Gelato Cart but still brought us a selection of delicious desserts which had our guests queueing to enjoy.
So, despite the weather, everyone had a jolly good time. Thanks to Alastair, Henry and John for their help setting up, to Fran, Jenny, Sue and Catherine for the delicious salads, and very special thanks to Dharma who turned up at 10:00 to buy a bag of compost and spent the next three hours flipping burgers. That’s ABCD – Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
Thanks to everyone who worked to make this possible. As we drove down to the hut, the car radio was playing “Mr Blue Sky”, which seemed a bit ironic, but the grey sky didn’t spoil the fun at all. The ice cream was a genius idea!