Waterproofs, wellies and windscreen wipers

Tessa Waugh braves a downpour for a trip to the Rydal hound show and is rewarded with a party atmosphere, the joy of rural traditions and even - eventually - a spot of sunshine

- Tessa Waugh

EVERY summer, sometime in July, Adam gets a call from our neighbour Simon asking if he would like a lift to the Rydal, the hound show in Cumbria. Simon is good company and his wife Mrs O makes a great picnic, so this is an excellent invitation.

Also, Adam doesn’t drink so after a happy day for everyone on the lash/ looking at hounds he can drive Simon’s luxury motor back to base, having drunk nothing stronger than a Coke all day. This year Simon’s son Chubby was on board representing Lycetts the insurance brokers, who were sponsoring the show, and there was space for me.