Tonna in August

Or

A Christmas party in the rain

The first party at Tonna was wonderful.  A warm welcome, very relaxed, good venue.  In 2012 it is still the same, a brilliant weekend.

 Let's get the weather issue out of the way.  Yes, it did rain.  It is probably more accurate to say that sometimes it did not rain.  But that's all part of this unpredictable British summer that we have had this year.  What it didn't do was spoil the party.

 Friday followed the normal pattern.  Arrive, given a beer as you say hello, catching up with folk, drinking, good music, making new friends, drinking ……..

……. then there is the great fun of helping other people erect their tents, Phil Halling had this down to a fine art, You simply get a drink then let the girls put your tent up for you!

I normally struggle with my own tent.  I have now learnt how to fit a caravan awning, thanks Kev.

 Saturday dawned and by midday many of us had found our way into Neath.  Interesting place: old market hall with varied stands, good coffee shop, lovely park with a ring of sarsen stones.  There was a time when the coffee shop would only have been noted on the way to another bar but, hey, we’re maturing.  Aren’t we? 

 Back at camp and a slightly surreal evening.  Drinking, chatting and dancing in the bar to a great band and surrounded by folk in Christmas outfits.  Then nip into the snug to watch Britain winning medals in the Olympics.

 All this was helped by some excellent beer served by the club.  I recommend Brains Dark, a cracking dark mild, and Brains Black.  An equally good stout and both served on hand pumps. 

 Sunday arrives and sadly it’s time to leave.  I go home with memories of a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.  Tonna and the C7 party, it wraps around you like a warm blanket.

Looking forward to the next one,

Bunch.

C17, The Scrumpies