Spring is in the air as the sun shines on the AGA point-to-point series at Thorpe Lodge

We are setting off in daylight for a point-to-point and Mrs S has even managed to strike up a conversation within the first five minutes! To put that in perspective, during January on a two hour journey to Larkhill in the dark and fog she only spoke for the first time when we were twenty minutes away from the course! Claire Hart called me as we hit the road today and she complained of not being able to see very well because of the fog, whereas I was scrabbling around for sunglasses!

It wasn't quite AGA polo shirt weather but just look at that blue sky! There are also three AGA boys in the photo above, except one of them isn't an AGA boy anymore. The odd one out is Chris, who has missed pointing so much since leaving in December that he asked if he could come along today - he just couldn't keep away!

The tent was soon up, and the fence, and the signs, and Mrs S was soon in full flow as Pauline Harkin, who trains Doctor Kingsley, popped over for a catch up.

The lorry park is always a good place to meet nice people and Sunday was no exception, pictured with the AGA man are Paul Berrington, left, trainer Heather Dalton - holding Minnie, centre, and Peter Clifton on the right. They resisted my overtures to buy a new AGA but I'm not giving up just yet ...