Barbecue

When I was a child I read a book about a group of “weather wizards” who lived in a castle up in the clouds, hidden from view by those clouds but busy creating the weather. In a series of large glass jars they kept a range of meteorological phenomena, such as lightning, hail and snow. These they dispensed according to some plan which I cannot now recall.

This came to mind last Saturday as I helped with an outdoor barbecue put on by the churches for the children and residents of the Paddocks, the group of houses off Station Road. Today’s weather wizards put out forecasts detailing the percentage risk of rain, but when they say there will be bright intervals they are hedging their bets: it will either be raining or it will not, which is not altogether helpful. Saturday morning dropped occasional moments of drizzle, but nothing too serious. The event was due to start at 3pm….