On the News this morning it was announced that Lincolnshire was one of four regions in the country which had been officially declared 'drought' afflicted. It also happened to be a 'Pork Provisions' day again at one of our local Farmer's Markets. The morning dawned warm and sunny - far too nice for displaying meat products (it's always a headache to keep everything cool and in the shade).But by mid-morning that all changed. Blue skies were obscured by grey clouds. Then by raindrops. Then by a heavy shower. Then by thunder, followed by lightening, followed by a deafening downpour.
Initially, some of we stallholders, sheltered by the canopies over our stalls, felt sorry for the shoppers in their summer clothes, bare legs and sandals. But the storm did not stop. The rain beat down ever heavier and within very few minutes all the day-trippers, passers-by and the few serious shoppers had all 'melted' away.
Standing by your market stall in the pouring rain with not a customer in sight is a wearisome business.
"Sweet cherries, best strawberries now only £1.50!" called out the vegetable seller, repeatedly, to nobody there.......
That, and the sound of the rain drumming down, lent an eerie atmosphere .... and then "Quack! Quack! Quack" and I turned round to see The Duck waddling here - scooping up a dead chip - and there - scooping up a beakful of water - heedless of the few remaining scurrying feet.
"Quite!" I thought. "Absolutely typical - declare official drought and suddenly the weather's only fit for a duck!"
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