Oh my goodness - you should have heard the wind this morning - I very nearly contacted everyone to tell them not to come in as I thought it would be too dangerous to ride out, but Doug reminded me that the 'drop pot' was looking a bit low and we could do with a bit of extra cash for the end of season party (!) (anyone who falls off is 'encouraged' to contribute to the drop pot) So we braved it and just went to the nearest field, rather than the uphill gallop, as we would have been blown off the top of that, and all managed to stay on board - although there were a few hairy moments. We worked 14 horses and managed to get back just before the heavens opened - torrential rain and 60 mph winds. We stopped for coffee in the shepherds hut and the rain and the wind were lashing at the window, it was just like being in a ship during a storm at sea. Needless to say we didn't turn them out and they had the day in their warm stable.

In the meantime we had been invited to join Bill and Mary Adams. Wake and Chuff Adams and Dave and Nicki Hurst from New Zealand, who were my host family when I went on my Nuffield in 1999 abroad. They are here to visit their daughter who lives in the UK now. We met at the Butchers Arms in Priors Hardwick. It was great to see them again. They hadn't changed a bit,and still had the same enthusiasm and interest in everything, and it was lovely to catch up on their news and have a lovely meal in a very nice restaurant at the expense of Bill Adams who is sometimes known to be so tight that he squeaks when he walks (only joking, it was very generous and thank you very much Bill! )

It is still rather wild out there but hopefully will have calmed down by tomorrow as we are hoping to go hunting.