Rain not fair

For the first time in 49 years the Country Land and Business Association Game Fair has been cancelled. Rainfall on the estate of Harewood House where the fair was to be held has been so heavy that the organisers have been forced to call it off for fear of turning a beautiful landscape in to a quagmire (or an average year at the Glastonbury festival).

The cancellation cost in terms of the expected spend, both at the fair and in the surrounding region is estimated at £50m. But in terms of lost business and product recognition for exhibitors I would put the figure even higher. To say I'm sickened is an understatement. The Game Fair is a great chance to catch up with old and new friends all in one place.

This year I was looking forward to learning a little more about shooting and to trying out a whole series of salmon rods. OK, I will save on all the discretionary spending that would have undoubtedly lightened my wallet - it doesn't take much to convince me of the need for a new bit of fishing gear. But that's not the point. This is the place to get ideas and to find out just what's going on in the world of field sports.

What to do now? I expect I'll go fishing.