Hurricane

I arrived at the showground before 7am to start getting set up. For those who asked, a trade stand is where you essentially buy a pitch of land in the main/higher footfall area at an event and have to set up your own gazebo/furniture/tables etc. It costs a lot more than being in a marquee (not to mention a lot more work and car space) but you have access to more people and potentially more income.

Let's just say I'm unlikely to risk that again. Whilst markets left right and centre were being cancelled due to the high winds (West Linton was called off an hour or so in too), this wasn't happening here.

The first two hours were hideous, trying to get my gazebo up and stable, other stallholders lost theirs. In the end myself and the stall next to me managed to get a space in the craft tent so had to pack everything up and move and set it up again but at least it was inside and I was able to trade. I couldn't have done anything where I was.

Even the massive craft marquee was in danger of taking off at one point and had to be secured again. The ponies were skittish and throwing their young riders, the jumps etc were blowing over and a few people outside lost their gazebos and tents. 

Had the weather been better, it would have probably been excellent. So, I paid double what the craft tent pitch costs, had a much longer day and excess of work and still ended up in the craft tent, lol. Thankfully I did well and was also able to go to the loo etc with plenty of other stallholders about to keep an eye. A much easier and less stressful arrangement all round.

Sooooooo tired when I got home, I didnt even unpack the car, gubbed! Thank goodness I pulled out of my usual all-day 1st Sunday of the month one back down at East Fortune, wouldn't have been capable of that. 

This appears to be my only photo from the day to send to a friend so she could get in FOC.