First Ever Festival

I posted this at my own website, www.plaza.org.uk/forum , and I have also posted it at my myspace. I thought why not post it here too. This was my first ever festival of any description, and I couldn't have picked a better one.

Are you sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin.

Saying that this recent holiday was something myself and Jason needed would be the understatement of the year. Having never been away together unless it was associated with our work, this four day break was exactly what we needed.

At nearly forty, I felt a bit foolish having never been to a festival or even a gig before, so when our very good friends Kirsty and Chris asked us if we wanted to go to NGG with them, we jumped at the chance. The tickets were only fifty pounds each, so it would have been silly not to go.

We arrived there on the Thursday afternoon after just over an hours drive, and I felt we had done the right thing by going right away. The 'gate' was manned by classic hippies, the coolest of people with dreadlocks formed over many years, and great skin as they spend so very much time outdoors.

We were welcomed and soon parked up ready to get to the camp. We had two choices, the main public camp, or a small village type camp where all the musicians had pitched. We plummed for the small village and set about building our fabric homes. A few hours later, walking around the camp, Kirtsy asked me;

"So what do you think of it so far"?

Without a pause, I said;

"I'm home"!!

And I really was.

We took a trip up to the main stage later that evening and watched some fab live musicians, all types of music, and we listened whilst drinking organic ales and cider, the night slowly slipped away.

The next morning we cooked breakfast at our tents and then set about discovering the rest of the camp. There was campaign marquee, which we were camped right behind. They had leaflets galore about this cause and that cause, and a million and one things to sign. Petitions to stop more motorways being built, or to demand fair treatment of workers and villagers in Nepal, the list went on and on and on and on.

To one side of us we had 'Weirdigans' organic, vegetarian, solar powered cafe, and to the other side we had 'Gremlins', a bike recycling centre based here in Oldham. 'Gremlins' had taken what they call 'netbacks' along to the festival, bikes with carriers on the back, BIG carriers, and they were helping people with their bags and tents from the entrance to the camp. They had helped us the day before.

There was a massive kids area with swings, a roundabout, a trampoline, table football and a climbing frame.

There was a 'Sacred Garden', a place of healing which offered Reiki, Shiatsu, Yoga, Foot massge and so very much more.

There was a 'Chill Out Zone', a massive marquee which played chilled tunes and served herbal teas until the small hours.

There was 'Sunny Jims' cabaret marquee, and a large 'Main Stage' marquee, and so much more it's difficult to list everything.

None of the places had standard tables or chairs, just carpets rugs and cushions on the floor, with japanese style tables.

To say that this trip had been life changing for both myself and Jason would again be a massive understatement. We're back in the matrix for now, but we can't bloody wait to go home again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that........

This guy and his wife were amazing. Their mobile home, an old horse carrier I believe, was absolutely beautiful and fully equipped. Hot shower, internet, fully equipped kitchen, and ALL powered solely by wind and sun. They travel around constantly, using vegetable fuel, to promote the possibilty of a greener lifestyle.

The 'Swap Shop', what an amazingly simple idea, 'Bring something, take something, be FREE!'

These beatiful shops were scattered throughout the camp. They all sold goods made in Nepal, and they all sold these goods under the fairtrade banner.

The entrance to the 'Sacred Garden'.

Art from industry. Do you see the tiny helicopter and airplane in the bird cage?

Beautiful creations that you could learn to make right there, for a small donation of a pound. Whatever you made was yours to keep.

'Creative Intentions' from the outside, another fabulous vege and vegan eatery. Quite simply the best food we had ever tasted.

The 'ceiling' inside 'Creative Intentions'.

Jason in his lovely festival hat.

Jason outside our tent, making friends with the dig he bought there.

Me in a top that Kirsty bought for me, to celebrate myself and Jason getting engaged. Which we did officially with beautiful silver hippie rings bought at the camp.

Kirsty, Chris and Gabriel, the very good friends we went with.

'In The Hills' performing on the Saturday afternoon in the 'Sunny Jim' marquee.

The 'Saturday Night Ball', for which all the men wear dresses, a fabulous and very liberating final night.

This was taken an hour or so before leaving, I was stood gazing out at the countryside I was only just noticing, my focus had been 'in' the camp for the last few days. Kirsty saw me and took this picture of me and the scenery I had just been admiring.

There are several more pics, but I think these ones capture what this trip was all about, and what the gathering and the people who gather are trying to say.

Geeg and microbe, I think you two in particular would have loved this so very much, although I believe everyone would have gotten something from it.

We can't wait to go back.