(Monsoon Season Me thinks)... We normally look forward to this relaxed end of season outdoor show with aerial displays, wing walking, dragsters, bikes, lots of classic clubs and a nice 50's feel, what's not to like.

Eventually the organisers managed to confirm our site and with Bruce's help we quickly marked out our boundaries and started erecting Bruce's igloo tent, with the stand sorted, we started to enjoy the event and the morning sunshine. (See pics). We noted that visitor numbers were down on last year and there seemed to be less clubs in attendance and put this down to the price hike. We were there to enjoy the weekend and have lots of banter. We had a huge surprise when Will and Jane suddenly appeared out of the blue, it was great to see them and have a little chin-wag. I think they were enjoying our Southern Sunshine and seeing many southern softies in shorts soaking up the rays.

It was approx lunchtime when suddenly the heavens opened up and we had instant huge deluge of hail stones, rain and wind so heavy that many of the tents and gazebos were simply destroyed and left on the floor. As you will see in the vid's we just all stayed in the igloo which I'm delighted to say stood the test. (mind you at one point we were all supporting the internal frame on all four sides) . As you will see in one of the videos we were also concerned about the huge hail stones damaging our cars but thankfully no damage. The rain continued until we packed up to call it a day and start again tomorrow. On leaving the site the 1st hurdle encountered in our cars was a flooded road forcing us on a long detour bit still through a slightly less flooded road. This is my local event and I live on a hilltop, we noted that the rain had not stopped all night.

I made the decision to take my 4x4 as widespread floods were reported on local radio. On arrival no classics had attempted to go 'thank god' George was there sat munching away in his 4 wheel drive VW. Suddenly it was announced on Facebook etc that the event was cancelled. We set about packing up as much as possible prior to Bruce and Ali arriving from the hotel to load his trailer, needless to say the final item stripped was the igloo tent that had done an awesome job. We left the site about 11.00 hrs Sunday and I can confirm that it continued to rain all day Sunday and all day Monday too.

Once again, there was another bizarre Middlebridge moment, Bruce, Ali and Syd n Sandra went back to their hotel thinking, dry out, warm up, nice meal and a drink to help it down. However they were told that there was NO chef that evening and they would have to go elsewhere to eat. A taxi was duly summoned and a trip to the nearest Witherspoons had to suffice. We have suffered bizarre incidents at all of our recent events, god knows what's in store for our next event (The NEC) at least the rain won't stop play there, or have I spoke to soon.

Please note that all of the car pic's were taken early before the monsoon started.

Many thanks to Bruce n Ali, Syd n Sandra, Paul n Kate, Will n Jane and Matt n Nina.