GOOD WEATHER

The good weather this summer so far makes a massive difference to our enjoyment and success. We’ve had four great shows on the trot – Caversham Court in Reading where we played to about 200 people, the next day Goring Lock – guest of long time Mikron Friend, lock keeper Mike Eagles - where again about 200 and then Benson Marina, organised by long time Friend, John Dalton where about 130 people. When it’s cold and wet we often play to a very small crowd – this year it’s been great. Just hope the continuing dry spell doesn’t mean low water levels – all is well on the great Thames although there are rumours of possible closures of locks because of low water and at Day’s Lock today not much more than a trickle coming over the weir. But what will it be like on the summit of the Oxford? Another warm balmy evening at Long Wittenham – despite a home Aunt Sally competition, football on the telly, a folk night and a scout meeting at the pub (Sandra and Mel’s place is a real community centre!) we played to over 70 people half way down the garden and had a great night with many friends from the TUC, cyclists, walkers and boaters who all seemed to enjoy the show and hissed, booed, cheered and clapped in all the right places – and were extremely generous in the collection.
Wolvercote - another lovely show on the village green – people sitting on the grass with picnics, kids playing football and climbing trees, dogs invading the stage trying to get the actors to throw a ball for them. This is the summer we have longed for. It tried to rain but as soon as we brought the gazebo out of course it stopped. Walking back from the pub the glow worms are shining in the grass a luminous green more garish than high vis jackets and a toad scuttles across the path and back into the safety of the greenery. At supper on the bows Rick and I watched a couple of Kites swooping down to the canal to catch the many fish rising to the surface after the myriad of flies hovering over the water.
Gemma back to hospital world for check up on her finger and then on to Bablock Hythe. A truly wonderful summer’s day, blue sky and high clouds; boating very slowly behind a hire boat through the bends past Eynsham ; the Thames at it’s most beautiful. Hard to believe that this is the same river that surges past Tower Bridge. We all swam in the river at Bablock, it’s the only place to be when it’s so hot and then another warm still evening and a good show followed by beer and then tomorrow...a day off.