We come out of the station at Archway into bright sunshine, but by the time we reach the bus stop for the 210 up Highgate Hill, rain clouds are overhead. From boarding the bus onwards it rains...and rains...and rains...
After sheltering under an oak treee during the warm up act, we go looking for something more substantial. Walking past our designated deckchairs we decide that we are not going to sit or stand in heavy rain, even if we will be close to Sir Tom (but not within knicker throwing distance). There is a group of toilets with a very large canvas canopy covering them that look a possibility - there are already picnicers tucking feasting there. Now sitting on the grass next to toilets may not sound great, but they were nice and clean and hardly anyone was bothering to use them.
Two couples in front of us were very well refreshed, one, so much so that he insisted that I was his bank manager and invited us to have a glass or two of their champagne with him. Meanwhile, Tom Jones was way off down the slope, not recognisable at 200 yards, but clearly audible, so we decided to stick with the ambience around the toilets. The rain continued to pour down and as people became more and more lubricated the Gene Kelly impersonations with umbrellas (and without) began. Good to watch the audience and great to hear the Green, Green Grass of Home, Delilah and It's Not Unusual.
Still raining when we got home.
Champagne man - thanks, and if you read this and see your picture, I assume that you got home safely.
