Flaming June - the day before the Summer Solstice - when better in the calendar to place the event designed to bring forward the next generation of aerobats? Long warm days, cloud free or perhaps conveniently marked by the odd high level cumulus to aid positioning...

A relaxed, easy paced day, sunblock and surreptitious snoozing for the judges between arrivals into the box... A leisurely lunch for all before the lighthearted drama of the scored second flight, slightly nervous newcomers unsuccessfully attempting to conceal their competitive instincts.

And then, to the victor the spoils and a triumphant cruise homeward to the surprised, possibly astonished, admiration of friends and family...

This is always the plan, and it was no less so this year, but the UK weather had different ideas. Eleven entrants gathered under unexpectedly bright skies, but alas it wasn't long before the cloudbase began to lower.

First up was Aaron Croucher, flying Adrian Willis's Extra 200. His return from the practice area coincided with the arrival of a bank of cloud drifting through. He elected to join the circuit and land, but in the fickle way of these things the next pilot to reach the overhead a few minutes later found a convenient gap and was able to fly the sequence. Jean Paul Barrenchea made a very tidy job of it in Alan Cassidy's Pitts and scored well into the seventies.

By now the Extra was in the air again but time for practice had been at a premium. Vincent Hargreaves' quarter clover showed some evidence that no previous example had featured in his repertoire, but Adrian's encouragement ensured a respectable outcome.

In worsening weather the Cambridge Extra 200 gallantly took off but increasing drizzle resulted in its landing back after only a couple of minutes.

Despite forecasts suggesting some sort of clearance by the afternoon, the clouds stayed low and the rain came and went, then came back heavier.

Optimism prevailed but the weather won in the end. As we consulted websites displaying lurid displays of thunderstorm cells all around, we reluctantly had to call it a day.

As insufficient flying had taken place there was no award ceremony and Jen informed the pilots that their entries could be carried forward to later events.

My thanks go to all who helped to run things - Jen, as aye, the registrar and scorer, Leif and his judging team, Mark Jefferies the ever popular and patient airfield owner, and the pilots for their good humour and safe flying.

See you all again soon and better luck next year!