An Irish barbecue

Our stay at Corranure has been extended by a day so we can attend the BBQ Barbara and Rodney's church are holding on Friday evening. They're only a small congregation but with a huge enthusiasm. The advice was that we arrive early so off we set at 7:30 to save standing in the queue. I'm not sure what I was expecting but not what I experienced.

Firstly the food, mountains of it; salads galore and always potatoes, bread aplenty and always Irish Soda bread (I'm going to set myself to learn how to make it, I love it!) and meat - pork, pulled pork, sausages, burgers - and lots of everything. Desserts just kept appearing; pavlova, real apple tart, cheesecake to mention just a few. Now you might be thinking what's the big deal about that. The church group, I'm told, totals about 20; the crowd, at a rough estimate, about 500! That's a lot of people and a lot of food!

Rodney was one of the main organisers

A musician entertained us for about 2 1/2 hours, singing country music. He was very good. The kids were well occupied with the playground

and the oval. As I sat watching the event unfold I couldn't help but notice the immense pleasure everyone was having as they greeted one another, this was truly a community gathering, and they were loving being together.

Howard handed us several tickets and said to put our names on them. As the evening was winding up Simon, the minister of the church, began reading out the names of prize winners. That's when we heard 'Joan Wills'. I was told, when I went to collect my prize, that I had won a top prize.

Howard was smiling when I presented it to him and wished him a happy 70th birthday. I'll leave you to guess what was in the box...

As we were walking out of the marquees we met Simon. Allan and Simon stood talking for some time and to end their conversation they prayed together, right there with the crowd swirling all around them.

A few nights earlier, while we were driving home, Howard turned the radio on to listen to the Christian hour and the quicky quiz. The question was, name the two sons of thunder and their father. Howard wanted to send in the answer (once he asked us) so Catherine obliged. When we arrived home she decided to send it in again and put Allan Wills, Australia on the text. What laugher errupted when the announcer declared the winner to be Allan Wills from Australia and then she sent a cheerio to everyone in AUS. Winners are grinners!