Yes, Chippenham Street market was what is commonly known as a washout. We stayed at a local Travel lodge for the night and turned up in the morning. It was already sheeting it down and we were told to set up on the bridge. On a hot day with no wind this would have been fine, but it was impossible with the gazebo. We moved up the street to a more sheltered spot and carried on setting up. I talked with J and suggested that we stop now and go home but she was concerned that we spent £60.00 on the fair and petrol so we should set up. Well we did after a fashion and surprisingly I sold some stuff. Not enough to cover it as we packed up at 1pm. I sold £50.00 wworth. My friend only £7.50.
Of course there are lessons to be learnt. We did't need to book the travel lodge and next year won't. If the weather is as bad as predicted we won't go at all and just lose the cost of the stall but not the cost of petrol and accomodation, food and time. Also Chippenham is a long way from where I live and we need to be setting our sights of closer events of which there must be hundreds in the vicinity.
The weekend may be a test of this resolve as the predicted weather is showery and we are at a car event for the whole weekend. We did not do fabulously well last year and though we are closer to home and have a better selling spot, I think if it rains it may not be worth bothering.
Will write again soon.
AT
