The AGA point-to-point series and Black Forest Lodge enjoy their first date as Devon & Cornwall area step up to the mark

We had three different plans for our first ever visit to Black Forest Lodge, all weather and ground dependant, and it was 'plan c' that won the day. That involved a rare trip for Derek in the passenger seat (how would he cope?), and my car being loaded with AGA banners and tools. We made good time down the M5 - despite the occasional loss of power from my 'AGAmobile', and we skidded into the course through the mud at around 10am, to be greeted by one of the warmest welcomes we've had so far ... and let me tell you we have had a few!

AGA sales are my priority, however, it was nice to see Beazo in selling mode so early in the day ... although I'm thinking that we should provide some AGA carrier bags for the hundreds of Big Green Annuals that he sells at every meeting!

Another Beazo photograph and I'm only two paragraphs in! John offered to carry Charlotte's saddle then promptly walked four yards and put it on the fence and insisted I take a photo - who's blog is this? The crowd started to head up the hill to watch the first while Charlotte set off for the changing tent ... carrying her own saddle!

There were six declared for our 6th AGA ladies open race of the season and I was fairly confident that the six would give us another competitive race. Two AGA finalists were in the line-up (Charlotte Prichard and Hannah Lewis), both with chances, and I had also spoken to another AGA finalist earlier - none other than AGA Total Control Champion Claire Hart, who had called me when we arrived at the course. Claire wanted to know how long it would take to get from Chipping Norton to Milborne St Andrew as she had just been offered a nice spare ride in the ladies - the AGA man doesn't half come in handy for all kinds of different things!