An early start was required for this mammoth trip - our longest of the season, so my alarm was set for 4.25am, and by 4.40am I was tucking into a bowl of cereal AND positively not looking forward to the journey ahead! However, once we were on our way it was a laugh a minute on the road to Bonnie Scotland, despite the rain - and then snow, which accompanied us all the way to Overton.
The AGA van was our mode of transport this week as we took the AGA message to Lanarkshire, and looked for our first opportunity to take a photo of a sign with "SCOTLAND" on it. The next photo opportunity was a reminder of what would await us on the return journey ... more snow!
Once we were over the border we had a brief pit stop, which involved what Derek called a "posh coffee" - although I had to ask the nice young lady in Starbucks if Derek could have a weak one, he doesn't do strong coffee! The border crossing also saw the rain turn to snow, giving the AGA man an opportunity to take a photo of some snowy fields and trees.
We also saw the biggest and best point-to-point sign that we have ever seen on our approach to Overton, although I will resist adding the photo to this post as we already have two "sign" photos ... with another one to come. That's because we both liked the sign which greeted us as we drove into Overton farm - see below, we also liked the man on the gate who said "Hello, you're AGA, you can go where you want".
We didn't try any haggis, neeps and tatties, and it certainly wasn't ice cream weather, so instead we had a rather tasty bacon sandwich from the farm shop cafe, which put a spring in our step as we headed out on to the course with our AGA banners.
Not only does John 'Beazo' Beasley take ace photographs for us, but he also helps Derek to put our AGA signs up ... while I take the pictures!
Did you see the "Made In England" sign on the fence asked Derek, "where" said the AGA man ...
There are two words that are commonly used to describe the weather when it's cold, raw "cold and unpleasant", and bleak "very cold and grey", both were apt today, but the warmth from the locals more than made up for that.
Does this one look ok here?
One more strategically placed AGA banner and we were done on the course, but not before Derek had questionned whether the AGA man was actually helping or hindering - see below.
It's the same "leaning on the fence" pose that was seen the previous weekend at Black Forest Lodge!
Smiling through the cold and the snow with land owner Willie Young (senior and junior) ... although Derek was a little bit reluctant to be in this photo!
Circling at the start before the opening Maiden race ... note the strategically placed AGA banner!
Bleak and raw were the words that just wouldn't go away, so a quick visit to the hospitality tent for a hot drink was in order, and it was a productive visit as we had two AGA Home Business enquiries while we were in there!
This is a photograph of a dog looking at John Beasley ... unfortunatley I am unable to tell you what the dog is thinking!
From this point forward you will notice smudges on some of the photos, this is due to snow on the lens (bleak and raw), above you will see some bookies - and some mud. Derek was very convincing when he told me that one of the bookies was displaying a sign that said he would only take bets placed with Scottish money ... naturally I didn't believe him!
Beazo looking cold ... and another dog is looking at him, meanwhile Derek is off to have a bet with Scottish money!
The paddock before our race - directly above you can see the eventual winner, Sotovik, plus some strategically placed AGA Home Business banners!
Beazo grabbed this shot of the girls as they left the changing room, note the pristine silks and breeches! L-R: Laura Innes, Rachael McDonald, Siobhan Doolan, Gemma Cochrane, Amy McGregor & Andrea Taylor.
Beazo about to brave the mud in the paddock ...
... followed by our girls, gingerly stepping through the mud!
Rachael McDonald is legged up on Cloudmor, who takes a look at the crowd ... while the AGA man takes another opportunity to use the words "bleak" and "raw"!
Amy McGregor and Nelson Du Ronceray
Joueur D'Estruval and Siobhan Doolan
Laura Innes and Banoge - note the smudges (snow on the lens)
Gemma Cochrane and The Paddy Premium
Andrea Taylor and Sotovik - the combined age of our six runners is 76!
Sotovik heads the field from Cloudmor (far right), Joueur D'Estruval (left), then Nelson Du Ronceray and Banoge (jumping)
These two greys would still be at the front in a circuit's time
This fabulous image was captured by Grace Beresford of P2P Northern Photos, as the two dashing greys flashed past the post, the AGA man is on the left (clutching a ticket for Joueur D'Estruval)
The winner by a nose (well, officially a short head)
The photographer becomes the photographed ... again!
The AGA man is in a good mood ... again!
The official presentation photo, courtesy of Mr John Beasley
A first ever point-to-point winner for Andrea Taylor, and a first ever AGA Championship 10 points! *Andrea did get her hands on some AGA points last season - 3 to be precise, both earned on Kisha King, 2 at Dalston and 1 at Mordon.
The AGA man, a pink polo shirt and Siobhan Doolan ... a canny lass as we say in the north-east!
A mud splattered Amy McGregor clutches her pink AGA polo shirt, while Joey Richards has two! Joey (daughter of trainer Nicky Richards), had earlier ridden the winner of the Restricted race - Accordingtotheboss, and we had met when Beazo and myself took a walk around the lorry park ... you meet some interesting people in the lorry park at a point-to-point.
The Richards dog was sat quietly in the lorry ...
There is no truth in the rumour that we swapped the dog for two pink AGA polo shirts, although we would like an AGA dog. We'd also like to sell some new AGA cookers, so if you do see me in the lorry park make sure you have your cheque book handy, I will take a deposit or full payment, whatever is easier for you!
It was a long journey home through the snow - which was coming down in buckets by the time we reached the Midlands, and it seemed very appropriate to finish my day with a bottle of McEwans Champion ale. And what a day it was, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Scotland, and the people were exceptional, whether that be the course officals, our AGA ladies or the punters, you all made it a day to remember!
No trip would be complete without some souvenirs, and having been warned by Mrs S not to return unless I had some Scottish shortbread - from the Overton farm shop, not a motorway service station, I duly obliged. We now head for Thorpe Lodge for our 8th AGA ladies open of the season, and I am predicting that we will see our 8th different winner - you heard it here first! (I also think it wil be Jacqueline Coward).