08h00 – Today is a national holiday. There are events taking place at the lake in the village one of which will be a very meaty BBQ. I am not a vegan or even vegetarian but it’s still over meaty for me. Weather is sunny and fine.
Did a bit more work on with roof with P’s help. Then off to the village.
15h00 – Back from the village lake and soaked to the skin. Everything was going well and then just after 14h00 the storm clouds rolled in, the wind got really strong, the BBQ was abandoned and then the lightning, thunder and rain arrived and oh boy did it rain. We had ridden our bicycles to the lake and there was no shelter, the large tent had been abandoned for fear of blowing over. Even the large the trees offered no shelter at all as the rain was driving sideways. Worse still the rain turned to hail. We waited about 15 to 20 minutes for some sign of abatement then rode our bikes home to warm up and dry off. Calico was so warm and dry.
The good bit was this was the first trip out on my old Claud Butler Majestic Tourer Gold (Reynolds 531 plain gauge tubing and butted forks) and I managed all the hills with no or little effort. That’s the first time I had achieved that since we arrived here in 2002. My Raleigh Twenty Shopper Yellow and Brompton Folder Black just can’t make it happen.
Indian potatoes or chips for tea! Time to watch Le Tour on ITV4 and TF2 simultaneously, the wonders of technology.
21h30 – Late finish on the roof but it was cool and really nice working. Got the last of the foil up, the new stuff is not as strong as the first lot. Started the second row of corrugated sheets. Legs getting tied so decided to stop. Went in for welcome Indian potatoes and an Orval Beer. I got it out of the fridge to let it warm up for about 20 minutes to about 10°-12°C while I typed this and had a wash.
