I got back to Stapleford at about 17.15 local and everything was clear by then. Everyone who flies from there either in club aircraft or private ones based locally know that you have to keep off the grass as it is still too soft, so I assume that this guy just thought that he knew better.
Just after 1800, another PA28 taxied up the grass on 28, but was lucky to get away with it. Everyone just stood there shaking their heads in disbelief that someone could be so stupid. Pilots of non club aircraft have been warned that if they get bogged down they will have to extract themselves, but did he take any notice? No.
The other Sunday morning we were having breakfast in the clubhouse when another PA28 started taxiing down 28 to get to the pumps instead of using the taxiway which was clear at the time. We all started taking bets about how far he would get before the nosewheel dug in. And sure enough it stopped, the occupants climbed out scratching their heads and then had to be extracted by a group of jeering colleagues.
We have SNOWTAMS, I think that maybe with all the rain we've been having MUDTAMS would be more in order. But then these people probably down read NOTAMs anyway, so you just can't win.
Hope you weren't held up too long.
RD