Another warm welcome for the AGA point-to-point series as we enjoy our trip to a very cold Bonnie Scotland

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.

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!

Yorkshire cracker as Sheriff Hutton hosts the return of our AGA point-to-point Champions

AGA Home Business is the theme for our point-to-point sponsorship this season so the award winning Carr House Farm bed and breakfast in Ampleforth was an obvious place to start the weekend. This 16th century farmhouse - which is surrounded by woodland, serves a delicious AGA cooked breakfast and has long been on my list as a potential Home Business partner.

Our friendly hosts were Anna Lupton and her husband Jack Peckitt - who is a former northern amateur point-to-point jockey, and is also officially recognised as a friendly face for North Yorkshire! The pair also breed Cuckavalda gun dogs - which will appeal to shooting enthusiasts, and you can even take a dog for a walk during your stay if you choose to enjoy some of North Yorkshire's most famous walks, which are on the doorstep.

The forecast snow didn't arrive, however, there was a nice crisp frost so we set off for Sheriff Hutton in good heart (about 30 minutes away), fortified by our AGA cooked breakfast. The Yorkshire sunshine was almost tropical and it soon had the frost out of the ground, so with the course looking in immaculate condition the action started early with a couple of pony races.

By the time the runners had entered the paddock for the Club Members race there was a healthy looking crowd in attendance, which included lots of familiar faces. There were also plenty of familiar faces in the paddock (Cowards and Masons among them), and it wasn't long before one of them - AGA Champion Jacqueline Coward, was back and heading for the winners enclosure!