It was our wedding anniversary in July, so back in April I booked us tickets to go and see Top Gun at an outdoor cinema event at the stunning Blickling Hall.

We’d never been to an outdoor cinema before and were both really excited. It would be a lovely way for us to spend an evening together. We roped my parents in to babysit and finally after months of waiting it was time for out night out. 

In my head I had pictured a lovely sunny, warm evening, taking a bottle of prosecco, sitting on our chairs with a picnic and as the evening drew in snuggling under blankets. Then on Thursday I was sent a beautiful package from Monin, featuring their new popcorn syrup, how perfect for a movie night the next day! I started thinking of the cocktails I could take.

Anyone living in Norfolk will know just how well and truly my hopes were dashed on Friday morning. After a solid week of glorious sunshine Friday was hideous. Like really hideous. Norfolk was flooding.

We followed all the updates on the events Facebook page, it was still on, there wouldn’t be any refunds. We ummed and aahhed about it and decided we would go and make the most of it. If we staid at home the money would be wasted and if we went, what would be the worst that happened? We would be wet and miserable and come home, money still wasted. Best case we would have fun.

So I packed our picnic, swapping my dreams of prosecco for a thermos of hot chocolate with Monin Popcorn Syrup. I also packed the lovely tub of popcorn they had sent me as well. Plus of course I packed umbrellas, a waterproof backed blanket and we wrapped up in plenty of layers.

And you know what, when we arrived we did actually have fun. We got our chairs all set up. Had a fantastic view as very few of us had braved it. We were all wrapped up and quite snug. There was something fun about hiding from the rain and singing to the cheesy 80’s music they were playing before the film started.

We enjoyed our popcorn. The hot chocolate was immense. Popcorn syrup in hot chocolate gives it a slighty nutty flavour. A depth I wasn’t expecting and it was the perfect for for a rainy Autumn night watching films.

Except our film never started. They were having issues with the projector for ages. Thank god we had the hot chocolate, it was perfect to warm us up. Then long after Top Gun should have started, the screen deflated, much like my dreams of a sunny evening watching a film had that morning.

There was a power cut and we were sent home. It was sad as it was turning out to be a good night. Oh well. The organisers have actually been great and we are getting our tickets refunded. We did still get to enjoy a Saturday morning lay in thanks to the parents baby sitting. Also we did actually have fun. So all was not lost.

A big shout out also needs to go to Hooper’s Cider, as sponsors of the event there were a few free samples going and the flavours I tried were delicious. As there were very few people there I actually got a fair few samples. The girls were soaking wet and cold but they were great and really do deserve a thank you.

As do all the Blickling staff who were getting a lot of grief all day for something they had no control over, they weren’t running the event, they just provided the grounds. Also no one has control over the weather, so the people who were kicking off and trying to make out it was unsafe, well those people really need to get a grip.

Next time I’ll be rocking out my Monin Popcorn syrup at home with a DVD, it’ll be warmer and a lot dryer!

Disclosure – I was sent my Monin Syrup in return for an honest review, the film tickets and everything else was at our own expense.