Success is getting what you want; happiness is liking what you get

Monday 31 December 2012

It was a Dark and Stormy Night

And we were all ensconced in our respective vans after enjoying a meal out together.  Time to wind down, watch a bit of telly, or write a blog.  The wind was starting to blow like crazy and we glanced out the front window.  It seemed that our gazebo was in trouble, with several of the struts didn’t look quite right.  We knew there was already a breakage, and the wind must have snapped another one, leaving them hanging down  and useless.  There was only one thing for it, the gazebo had to come down.

With a quick tap on our fellow campers windows, we called for some man-power to help us dismantle the gazebo.  (It just can’t be done easily with two people).  Luckily non of our friends had yet changed into their PJs for the night, and came out in the dark to help us battle against the wind.  The ropes were loosened, the pins pulled out, and with everyone grabbing a corner, walked the gazebo into the centre to close it up, rather like folding up an extra large umbrella.  Then it was safely stored in the awning for the night, looking rather like a collection of bats hanging upside down.  Meanwhile, the wind continued to howl, shake the trees and rattle the caravan and awning overnight. 

DSCF3779 Safe inside the awning overnight

We brought our poor damaged gazebo outside this morning to dry it out before packing it away.  Robin checked for damage and discovered three of the aluminium struts were now snapped.  No wonder they snap, aluminium may be light, but is not really strong at all.  After a bit of boy’s talk, it was decided that it would be better to replace these struts instead of trying to mend them.  That will be a job for later, when we are settled in our new house.  Thanks everyone, for rallying to our call for help last night.

DSCF3781Inspecting the damage in the light of day

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