The harem-pants hero!

i don’t know if you have ever visited Port Isaac in Cornwall, or maybe seen it on TV in a travel programme or a popular series about a grumpy doctor? It’s a small fishing village on the north coast and has had its profile raised by its local fishermen who formed a shanty band – I’m teasing in a way, because the band is now probably the most famous shanty band in the world, The Fisherman’s Friends.

Port Isaac, with its winding streets and busy harbour, has been a fishing village since the 14th century where it provided one of few havens along the otherwise rugged North Cornwall coast. Its granite and whitewashed old cottages are extremely photogenic, and it’s a real pleasure simply to stroll around the narrow lanes.
https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/port-isaac

It’s because of the shanties that we were in Port Isaac last weekend. Husband is in the Beach’d Buoys shanty band, and they were down in the village for its annual Shanty Festival. The Buoys had four gigs over three days – it’s so popular now and so many different singers take part that it’s extremely busy and extremely crowded. The streets winding down to the harbour are extremely narrow, just enough room for one vehicle – going up or going down,  so drivers have to be extremely patient, and polite as there are only a few passing places, where it’s possible to squeeze by each other.  Whenever we visit, we park in the proper car parks up at the top and walk down into the village, and puff and pant our way back up again. Of course, when the popular shanty fest is on there are lots of extra people and vehicles – the performers as well as the audiences, so it is even more busy than usual.

Yesterday was the last day and the Beach’d Buoys had their final gig in the church of St Paul, halfway down the steep windy street leading to the harbour. Because husband had a lot of equipment with him, and there was nowhere for me to park to help him carry it, I drove down – very slowly, very carefully, with crowds pressing around, dogs on leads, children, flower pots against walls, rubbish bins, sticky-out stonework, doorsteps… it was a bit of a nightmare to be honest, but fortunately I was following another car.

I paused at the church and husband leapt out and grabbed his things and I was ready to continue down to where I knew I could either turn round, or carry on and out the other side of the village. However, I had only moved a few yards when I saw a car at the bottom, facing me. Surely they are going to reverse so I can get through?  I thought, and then, surely they aren’t going to drive up – there’s nowhere to pass???  But yes, yes, they did. They began to drive up the hill towards me, through the flowing flocks of people, dogs, children, buggies and pushchairs.

There was nowhere for me to go. Nowhere, except  into reverse and begin to inch back up the steep hill! Gosh I was fizzing with fury, but I kept a stoic expression on my face. I had to watch out for all the on-street hazards through my mirrors, and just hope that the pedestrians would let me creep backwards through the throng – which fortunately they did. Then I spotted a space in front of an ice-cream shop, which was just about big enough for me to squeeze into, so they could pass me – but it was tight, very tight, and all the time the  *******  white car was continuing towards me.

Then a hero in baggy, flowery harem pants (if that’s what they are called) began waving her arms to direct me, guiding me safely past the flower pots against walls, rubbish bins, sticky-out stonework, doorsteps etc. She was calm, clear and decisive and I was able to pull in and without so much as a wave of thanks or a nod of appreciation (to me or my guide) the white car driver sailed past and up the hill.  My hero gave me a jaunty salute and dashed off after her friends before I could manage more than a weak grin.

Now I was able to turn round and went forwards up the hill and drove to the car park where I could await a summons. Husband would have his band mates to help with his stuff on the way back so I wouldn’t have to attempt a descent but could meet him somewhere  accessible. As it happens, after their gig, he got a lift on a tractor, so all was even better.

We had a wonderful weekend, with gorgeous weather, in good company, and I soon got over being miffed by the white car’s driver. It was just very stressful and anxiety inducing, all wiped away by the harem-pants hero!