Yesterday was Dawlish Air Show day. It is the day when tens of thousands of people descend on our sleepy little seaside town to watch the big event of the year. People gather on the hillsides, they line up along the seawall and on every path up the cliffs; every flat roof or garden that has a view of the sea is bursting with people on Dawlish air Show day. Our terrace looks out over the sea, above which the spectacular air show takes place each year, so naturally, many of our family and friends came to our place to watch from one of the best vantage points.

In between putting sausage rolls and pizzas in the oven, bringing out sandwiches and telling the children to be quiet or go downstairs into the garden, I managed to see the acrobat plane tumbling down from the sky and start his engine again successfully; also I saw (and heard!) the Vulcan – may it “live long and prosper” (although that isn’t very likely because it was to be the Vulcan’s last show performance, and therefore unmissable). There was an interval (although I missed it) and the Red Arrows formation team were due to come on in the mid-afternoon. However, the weather worsened and clouds and mist brewed up – it looked like rain.

Everyone waited in suspense. Were the Red Arrows going to make it? Whilst making cups of tea for the adults and handing out cheesy Whatsits and lemonade to the kids, even I wondered if the stars of the show would make an appearance. I was bringing out the tray full of Mary’s delicious scones and cream when I heard engines overhead. I looked up and saw five planes, in arrow formation, flying out from a big cloud… at least I think there were five of them… and I’m sure they were in arrow formation… but admittedly, I didn’t have my distance glasses on at the time.

“Oh look!” I said, “Is that the Red Arrows?”

Several hawk-eyed children looked at me as if I was making a strange joke; and even more pairs of older eyes observed me, first with incredulity, then smiles. I turned my head skyward again and squinted, for more clarity. Oh yes, they had funny old-fashioned shaped wings alright – they might well have been bi-planes… or, for all I knew, they could have been built by the Wright brothers!

I turned back to the gigglers.

“I know,” I laughed, “I should have gone to Specsavers!”

We all laughed because at that time we hadn’t heard about the tragic accident which had already happened at Shoreham Air Show. Later on, when nearly everyone had gone home, my mum phoned up with the bad news. With sadness, we guessed that it was the accident, rather than the threat of rain, which had halted the appearance of the Red Arrows.