Airshows

In the last two weeks we have found 'freecycle' (bit like Trademe but it is free to a good home) where we advertised our tv, couch, bed and old camera and I had 39 emails from keen people within a day.  By the end of the weekend Harry had said goodbye to the tv, couch, microwave oven and some other little things and the bed and camera also have found homes. Back to watching tv on the computer sitting in a not too comfortable chair (it is only for a few weeks I say).  However, Freecycle seems to have a catch - I registered but it no longer recognises my registration details so I can't tell everyone the goods are taken - hence the emails keep coming - the administrator hasn't found the problem and hasn't cancelled the entries either!!  In between all this we have managed to get to a few quiz nights 7th out of 12 last week (no thanks to me) and go out for dinner a few times - Chris and family, Andrew and Claire in Swansea.  A little walk along the beach at Kewstoke on Sunday and then the RIAT airshow the following week.
We arrived at the airport at 7.45 (that's morning) and Harry took off for a seat on the flight line.  I sat in the car for a couple of hours reading a book and willing the torrential rain to stop before putting on coat and leggings because nature called.  Unfortunately, the weather had different ideas and the rain came down as I went search firstly for a loo and then for Harry.  Honestly, there must have been a special combo on black umbrellas, grey jackets and dark blue fold up chairs.  On spying that combination my eyes strayed to the shoes - brown loafers, pink gumboots, red trainers - not really Harry's sort of thing so I moved on.  Grey trainers - worth a second look - good looking but a bit young - and not Harry.  I wandered about 1.5 kilometres along the flight line, trying not too smile too much at the spectators hunched under their umbrellas, coats, small tents and wind breaks.  Most looking decidedly dejected and one woman looked at me and said 'at least you look happy'.  I made some comment to which she replied 'I imagine you are thinking that only the British would do this'.  How did she know?  I stopped for some noodles on the way and later for a coffee and then began the trek back searching for my other half.   By this time the rain had stopped and the umbrellas were down giving me what I hoped would be a better view of the crowd.  Alas more grey coats and grey heads were visible and with more people standing I could see less than before.  And then I spied him standing by the flight line, in grey coat and how could I have forgotten about the blue sunhat (we are known for our kiwi optimism over here).  That's about me for the day, read the newspaper (it managed to stay dry - unlike others who tried in vain to read wet newsprint), found a necklace in the craft store, wandered over to the band playing in the evening.
Now for Harry...Choices, choices, choices - shall we go on Saturday, or hang out for Sunday and hope that the weather will improve.  Saturday was better than Sunday as the rain delayed the flying display only by a couple of hours and we did get to see the Vulcan, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Rafale, F16 and the Gripen. Great photo opportunities in the afternoon as the weather cleared and the sun came out.