Very strange steering problem

[mjamoose]

Driving along yesterday, came to a roundabout and went to turn right, halfway through the turn (after the steering wheel had gone to about 5 o clock) the steering became incredibly heavy, so much so that it felt like the power steering had failed  . Felt even heavier than my brothers Ford Escort, no power steering!
Got home, drove the car an hour later and all was well!
I'm a little concerend that the steering pump is on the way out! Any ideas, bearing in mind that some roads in Berkshire had a helluva lot of surface water!
Is this a commmon problem? Really stumped!

[adyh]

Hmm , belt may have slipped .

[Organisys]

Mate, I live and work not far from you, and if you were driving anytime about 5-6pm in that heavy down pour we had, then almost certainly your power steering belt slipped. and you lost your power assistance for a mo there.

[mjamoose]

Thought so, i was worried that it was quite serious, having just replaced a head gasket and having the nightmare of an MOT on an old car!
More cost I don't need so that's welcome news!