Glastonbury survival ….. Finally recovered!

Fresh from the long trip back from the southern hemisphere, and with no real time to get over jet lag Tom and Abbi picked me up bright and early …. This marked the beginning of our annual pilgrimage to the fields of Glastonbury (although this year John H was a no show due to wedding commitments). For once I was ready on time, however I venture this was due more to the fact that my body was still running in a different time zone. Anyways, after what seemed an age of horrendous traffic, we arrived safe and sound ….to be greeted with a glorious sunny day, a perfect day for camping I would venture. Oh how things would change! Glastonbury Thursday is traditionally a simple day – have a toby around and enjoy the sun chilling with a beer is for many the plan. I must make a special mention to Tim who did a sterling job in securing a great site to camp, complete with enough room for gazebo (style or what?) and bonfire …. And more importantly it was @ the top of a hill – nice one mate thanks! Anyways a little vodka, some beers and a trip to lost vagueness were Thursday highlights … little did I expect what was to come next when I snuggled up in the old sleeping bag, full of expectation for the Friday music.

Anyways I awoke very earlier Friday morning, thinking I was dreaming … the noise was so bad it was like being in a war zone. Now rain is something of a tradition in the fields of Pilton … but this was something else, never have I seen rain like this outside of the fields of South East Asia, it was mental!. I went back to sleep, confident the rain would stop, Oh how wrong I would be. You know one of the key laws of camping is that whenever you have a need for the bathroom in the middle of the night, the law of averages state that it will be a) miles away, b) raining and c) cold. None of which is really that much of a big deal, however braving the long drops in the middle of a lightning storm is an experience all of its own … Thankfully its one I survived with nothing more than a good soaking, I’m led to believe however some poor chap got struck by lightning whilst in mid flow – all I can say is ouch!

Well that rain, it kept a coming, much to some peoples misfortune … the news pictures of tents floating away we not an exaggeration I can assure you. Key Glastonbury spirit, which means more cider and an opportunity for the ‘prepared’ to show off – I mean who thinks to bring a canoe with you to a festival? …. A glastonbury goer that’s who. It’s with no exaggeration that next year my kit will contain a tent, a sleeping bag, a wetsuit and a life jacket …. Be prepared is what I say. 1pm rain stops, electricity regained queue music – after all that’s why we’d gathered there. I tell you, what’s a little rain, mud and synchronised swimming between friends?. Bands / acts that rocked Friday included The Thrills, The undertones, The Zutons, Steve Earle and The others. However, seminal moment of the day goes to the Doves who were awesome, ‘Black and White Town’ was the real set highlight. That said … stars of Friday were The Killers, they simply ‘rocked’. Having seen then last year in the John Peel tent (as its now called) I was expecting big things and I along with thousands of other people were not disappointed – Mr Brightside brought the crowd to its knees as people simple forgot about the mud.

Saturday saw the sun come out, Oh and poor me over do it a little with the cider….. not a new phenomenon for anyone that’s ever been to a festival with me. The good news is that a) I didn’t role over the edge until after the last band b) I managed a few hours in lost vagueness first, c) I saw the whole of Coldplay and d) I didn’t find myself dancing like a loon to the stereo of the local ice cream van, convinced it was the sound of some superstar DJ, when in fact it was nothing more ‘hip’ than really loud Chaz and Dave. Anyways Saturday highlights included a band called Lunaloop that someone randomly suggested I see whilst in Oz (they really are from Bondi). Kaiser Chiefs, The Levellers (yes I saw them), Ash, Timo Mass and Keane all rocked. The Subways deserve a special shout… That said the out and out stays of the show were Coldplay – just amazing… one downside however is Chris Martins constant need to whiter on about politics – I’m capable of making my mind up about such things on my own thanks!

Sunday …. Here comes the sun – blistering hot, so hot in fact I started to winge about getting burnt; now there’s gratitude eh? James Blunt was very good, not usually something I would listen to but am now a convert – although this might have something to do with the fact that one track of his was all of the show all weekend. Jools Holland was also good, as was Hard Fi, Garbage, Mylo and the Freestylers. The LCD Soundsystem were a great surprise, despite the fact that it meant I missed Bright Eyes….. The night was ended in true sing along style as I joined Tom and Abbi to catch The Beautiful South in the acoustic tent……. Fantastic, the crowd couldn’t get enough.

Other highlights of the weekend – Stokley Parks incredible chips – honestly amazing hand made chips. The worlds longest queue for wellies, I really felt for some.. the traditional ‘Other Stage’ mud wrestling/ mud bathing, cider and the mini ‘Glastonbury experience’. All in all a great time was had, I mean what’s a little rain eh?

And yes I will be back in 2007 …. Mental note to self – flippers @ Glasto may not be as ridiculous as you might think!.