This is the scene at the entrance of the Newlyn Fish Festival today

Yes, it is raining and although today is supposed to be the worst, that doesn’t mean it is going to be sunny, just that perhaps tomorrow it will rain less.
I feel sorry for everyone – holiday makers, people in tents, anyone trying to organise outdoor events like the theatre in the park or at the Minack, all the people who live here and face a long dark winter without having built up a reserve of Vitamin D, and especially I feel sad for my dear friends from Barcelona who are back in Penzance and running The Catalan Kitchen.
They have a wonderful catering business making authentic paellas in various locations over what is humorously called ‘summer’ – campsites, private parties and local festivals like The Fish Festival.
I went there today to see them and watch a paella being made – from the first sizzling garlic cloves to the final five minutes when it must ‘rest’ under a cover to allow the steam to finish off the cooking

I am very inspired by Marta and Cristina – they had a dream of making Catalan food available in Cornwall when they first came over four years ago.  Marta and I had met at a tango class in Barcelona and when they had a chance to visit the UK they decided to ignore the pull of London and to come and visit me. That friendship led to many things – new relationships, new homes, new lives.
And now seeing them here smiling brightly in rainy Newlyn makes me very happy and glad to be part of something so alive and creative

They have made a great success of the business and managed to do so in one of the worse summers Cornwall has ever known.  What an inspiration!

But for them and for everyone else here in Cornwall I wish for some sunshine and blue skies – we need it now – Please!