"Oh we did laugh"

In the past it's always seemed an awful long way from "Elf-land" to civilization, so this time we thought we'd come down the night before, especially as someone had very kindly offered to put us up for the night. Coming down the day before, the journey seemed to take no time at all, we arrived before someone had got home, and so we found ourselves killing time in the off-licence (as the pubs were closed).

Our host soon arrived and, pausing only to make sexual advances at a passing policewoman ("Yours Truly" narrowly escaping a night in the cells) it was off to the firework display. It was an excellent show, with loads of fireworks and really good taped music, spoiled only by "the normal people" refusing to join in our rousing renditions of "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Hitler has only got one ball".

Following a trip to the chip shop and two kids playgrounds, it was back to our hotel for a quick game of "death-jenga" and a swift half of shandy

Following a good night's kip, disturbed only by one elf getting the giggles, following an EXCELLENT brekkie it was off to the Tye to fly kites.

Now, have you ever seen a weather forecast ? "Sunny with winds up to 12 mph" it said.

Up to 12 mph !!! It was averaging 18, with gusts up to 32. Still, loads of wind for one lined nonsense and, as we were within striking distance of Brighton it seemed sensible to try the "duckie magnet" which to the uninitiated, could be mistaken for a single lined kite. The duckie magnet flew very well and pulled surprisingly well.

Talking of duckie magnets and flying well, someone of our acquaintance, after sulking that we'd not brought the big bullet along, found BKF's "pink Sky-pussy". Following a good blast with that, a small bullet came out, and other friends had a go........

Well, bumps and bruises, and possibly a black eye. Our webmaster DID say it was on the windy side, and DID offer protective padding before she started.

And, if it's any consolation, as our webmaster's putting this page together, someone's getting his hand X-rayed in casualty following a non kite related fracas in the shed. Laugh - I nearly bought a round of drinks

But it wasn't just the wind. The rain!!!!! Here's dinner being prepared under a ground sheet under a gazebo. Not so much fried as slightly warmed. It was a shame really - the Mayor had come to visit as well !

The weather was just too bad to continue, so following raw bacon rolls we took the gazebo down. Which was a shame bearing in mind how much effort had gone into putting it up. And then we went home to put on dry clothes.