7 planes are too many in any area that close together unless you are coordinated in some way. The others were foolish IMO to have been up there but the only thing you could have done was come down sooner and also not worry about your timer. You were about to land so it didn't matter what the timer said or let your spotter look at it for you if you feel the need to know that badly. There are times when you must look away from the plane but that wasn't a good time as it turns out. You may have also gotten away with it also so I'm not going to fault you for it.
I do recommend a private field. You have seen only one of the advantages. You can always come back to the partk and fly if you need a quick afternoon flight.