Norbury Junction Festival, 29 April - 1st May

Friday and the calm before the storm. Alison reading a book to free it up to go on the stall tomorrow, and watching all the trade boats arrive and fiddle about to get the best possible moorings. Key is getting their hatch/sales area in particular as close as possible to the canal edge, so no customers can manage to throw themselves into the water. 
Also went to the services to have a shower. Friends, I have been in warmer hailstorms. And here's their idea of a mopped floor:
Towards the end of the afternoon an IWA colleague arrived with our stall, so we got set up ready for the morning and then toasted our efforts in the pub. Followed by the Boaters Dinner,  also in the pub, a great chance to catch up with everyone.

Saturday started sunnier then forecast and visitors were out in force.
and our stall had a steady stream of callers.
But increasingly wet as the day went on. Towpath pretty manky but apparently the car park an absolute quagmire. And more rain forecast.

Sunday: wet for most of the day.
but a few hardy visitors made their way along the towpath and plenty of opportunity for traders to gossip and catch up on their news.

The alpacas (go figure. It seems people will pay to take them for walks) weren't happy either. 
All in all, very happy to get home, light up the fire, and get outside of a chicken stew.

Monday: despondency among the traders when they heard the car park was only open to 4x4s. But the weather was warmer and dry, and people still turned up. The towpath gradually dried, and the mood was definitely cheerier by the time for the boat tug-o-war. Star Crafts won for the 2nd year running.
Thrilling spectacle, canal style. Pre match face off!

Many thanks to the boatyard who put on free chilli and jacket potatoes for the traders, a very welcome treat at the close of a busy weekend. And, surprise,  a certificate for us too, basically for turning up.
Early night for us!

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