June 2006

The Summer BBQ Extravaganza

An exclusive report by roving reporter Mitch “The Merlin of Margate” Cook.

It was all an illusion!

The Southern Sorcerers BBQThe southern sorcerers were invited by Allan the Magic Man to a summer BBQ at his exclusive beach side residence (see photo) in Minnis Bay…but in reality he had planned a breathtaking piece of magic for our entertainment.

Fire walking by Swami Allan Wright

Cunning man of mystery Allan the magic man told us he was using a disposable BBQ for the evenings food. Of course, we knew something was up as he had put it on the floor at the edge of the promenade, not realising that just feet away from some young children playing on the beach below!

Suddenly Swami Allan leapt to his feet and while chanting strange mystic words dragged the hot BBQ along the floor thus scattering the red hot coals all over the promenade. The stage was set for some slightly surreal fire walking as Swami Allan proceeded to dance on the hot coals, although he did leave his trainers on which we felt devalued the illusion somewhat. To add to the realism he even arranged for the children to run screaming from the area to escape the burning coals blowing their way.

The mystic ritual was brought to an end by Swami Allan pouring water from a kettle (?) over the hot coals and reassuring the children that all was now safe.

Chris & MitchChris had obviously seen the weather report and knew it was going to turn chilly later in the evening, so he put the remains of the BBQ in the dustbin. By the time the sun had set this was smouldering nicely providing some much needed warmth.

Good food and some magic too!

After the fire walking stunt we settled down to some good food prepared by Allan courtesy of his frying pan and gas cooker in the hut (I mean exclusive beach side residence). Then more magic as Colin “try doing it this way” Hoult blew us away with his self tying shoe laces, coin through glass and brilliant card tricks. This was followed by an impromptu collapsing close up table which resulted in his cards blowing dangerously close to the bin which had now progressed from “smouldering nicely” to “inferno”.

John (AKA The Wizard Airgon)Chris entertained himself with an inflatable wand after succeeding in the first part of the broken and restored wine bottle trick.Ian pondered whether to take up wind surfing, and finally, John “the womble” Lycett spent most of the evening gazing lovingly at his new passion wagon parked nearby.

Posted by Colin on June 12, 2006