My girlfriend Su had been there all the previous week working herself into the ground helping them get ready, and I was coming down for the festival on Friday evening after work. Or so I thought. Unfortunately a lightning strike on a signal box outside Paddington at rush hour meant that wasn't possible, and after having tried to negotiate Network Rail's chaotic shambles for over an hour I headed home. Thankfully all was well the following day and I headed out in bright sunshine to the innocuous little venue...
Doesn't look like much eh ? But believe me there was plenty going on - the lambing shed had been transformed into a gig / nightclub venue, there was an acoustic tent (just out of shot of the bottom of the picture there), and a further 2 rooms of music, one which had been hosting children's cartoons all day. I met up with Su, my sister Helen, my brother-in-law Andre and my niece Logan just after lunchtime and we went and explored.
To the right there you can just make out "Doug's Den" which was where all the drink was served - there was a proper burger stall, a hog roast stall, a deli counter, a curry counter, as well as ice cream teas and coffees all catered for too. Pretty much every taste catered for.
During the day while low key music played, the farmer olympics took place on the field, starting with egg tossing (messy) and culminating in bale tossing (nothing to do with the footballer...) where various folk tried to launch a bale of hay over a high jump. Harder than it sounded, especially as the winner managed to clear around 12 feet I think. In between these was a sack race with extra animal headgear, which Su and I took part in...
You can just make out Su 'Two hats' in the background, and sadly for our chances it was me that was driving the sack. I think we made it about 4 feet before falling over and making it no further. Oh if only Su had been driving ! (I am told). Notice the guy in the white jump suit who was in charge and looking rather like Dr Emmett Brown from Back to the Future. This is because the theme was 'tractor the future' and festival goers were encouraged to dress up for the parade at 7pm, and they duly did...
A band led everyone around the site and it was quite a thing to behold. After bidding farewell to the family who were only there for the day, Su and I continued to enjoy the music in the acoustic tent and then the Big Wings Sound System (2 djs in suits and big beards, 1 MC and 4 dancers) and they were brilliant - real party djs playing fun dance music and pogo-ing behind the decks - a dance version of the pink panther entirely in keeping with the vibe of the night. Much cider was drunk, and then when they finished at around 3, an impromptu band struck up in Dougs Den where Tequila was administered by water pistol (from Doug) while piano, double bass and harmonic were played. There was much rejoicing.
We staggered back to our tent in the small hours with bacon and egg baps awaiting us the following day and some great memories to go home with. We will be back next year for sure !
As for the blog, I'll be back soon - training proper starts on Monday 11th August so I'll report on how I'm getting on...
Rob
