Exactly 6 years ago yesterday, it was the hottest day of 2005. Three -
much younger - dogs (the others hadn't yet been born!) sweltered in 35°C heat
for several hours inside a packed park in Dartford, raising a good deal of money
for the RSPCA from thousands of sun-drenched festival goers.
Fast forward to yesterday, and the wet, miserable and wind-swept scene in the
same park couldn't have been more different:
No more than 30 brave people cowering under umbrellas and plastic mackintoshes
watching a rather apathetic mayor open the weekend's proceedings, and definitely
no large dogs in sight.
I think this goes on record as the first animal event that the weather has
forced us to cancel in some 7 years of doing these things. Which,
considering the fickle nature of Britain's climate, isn't too bad going, really!