Overdue August Bank Holiday Post

Hmm, I was very much intending on posting about this weeks ago, but then work has a way of sometimes requiring me to do, erm, work, instead of faffing about blogging looking at pictures on Pinterest at lunchtimes.  The swines.

A host of us headed down to the Isle of Wight for the annual celebration of Sam being a year older, the sun shining and there being an extra day off work.  The first few days were blighted by rain, like much of this 'summer', so we made the best of it with board games, beers and Chinese take away in doors. (NB. Snakes and ladders can get shockingly competitive.)  On the Sunday though, the sun (finally) came out and we went out into the blinding light for a wander to the beach via the cider farm...which didn't have ny cider due to an apple shortage...  It's a frigging apple farm so, really, this seemed a bit of a poor excuse but they were adamant despite our collectively raised eyebrows. 

The days events were also to involve a fire/ BBQ combo for the evening, so the menfolk flexed their muscles, whinged that they were wearing the wrong shoes and started digging up part of the field.

Once dug, the pit was lined with bricks.  Not sure why (I expect there's a purpose) but it does make it look rather neat.

Then the tree was added bit by bit, starting with some trunk bits and then, what I assume was 'kindling'.  Having never been a Girl Guide/ Scout this is all beyond me but there seemed to be enough expertise (forthright opinions?) for the job.

It would appear to be important to stay in close proximity to the fire and regularly poke it, to prevent it going out/ make sure it burns evenly/ I know not what... Man + fire stuff basically.  We ladies cracked open a bottle of wine, found some plastic glasses and were all set.

Luckily, inbetween nursing the fire, there was time for a few drinks for everyone whilst relaxing in the last of the sunshine.  The firing up of the BBQ  required the resolution of more fire issues - pine cones as a base or not, relative heat of coals to burger cooking times, who forgot the burger flipper etc, but finally we had all had a burger, a sausage and a token bit of salad. 

Then it was just a matter of watching the sun go down, the Milky Way stars come out and the fire blaze on.

Thanks everyone who came along - same time next year, yeah? x