Yes, to answer Bright-Ling, it was Shoreham, and to address the points raised, Shoreham does have two NDB-DME approaches 21/03, and I accept that should IFR traffic be making an approach, then an orbit would be appropriate. However, this was done in VMC, with very little traffic in the pattern. | also agree that noise abatement could be an issue, although I dont think the sheep would have cared either way! I accept that there may be many reasons for an unexpected hold, but as I said before, I thought that the intersection between Downwind and Base was an odd place to initiate a hold. I will actually visit the tower when I am next there, and get chapter and verse. Thanks for your answers
Tailwinds.