One thing I learnt this week, Glastonbury festival isn't like your average.
It's big, like really big.. temporary city big. .. It's HUGE.
Main Pyramid stage. One of over 100 stages.
Two hundred and fifty THOUSAND!!?
In 2006, my home town census counted 15,582 people (including outskirts)
This event had 16 times the amount of people, and it felt like 16 times the size.
I think the best way to share our adventure is day by day...
WEDNESDAY
The trek in was too easy. I had 2 hours sleep after work. Got my shit together and met WeZ who went straight from night shift at the train station.
Within 5 hours from leaving London we were travelled and camped.
The bands don't start performing until Friday so we took the
opportunity to explore.
We went up through a space called the Park, awesome view over the festival..
My terrible attempt at hill top a panorama
Then down through the Healing grounds and bunch of other hippy
areas.
It was the only day we managed to make it up that way, so glad we did!
Our explore was followed by a much needed early night.
THURSDAY
We had a good breakfast, then took a different path and got our bearings of the main stages.
It took me approximately 4 hours to drop and loose my camera.
We re-traced steps but with no luck.
Crap.
A bit of retail therapy (bought new wellies), chocolate coated donuts
and cider got us through the rest of the day.
Wez cam...
dry Mel, happy Wez
Funny, my camera loss conveniently missed the downpour of rain!
It did happen and thankfully didn't last beyond a day.
WeZ and his amazing op-shop purchase (still want a lend V?! )
FRIDAY
We started our Glastonbury music experience nice n early with The Hives.
They were brilliant !
We then made our way to a different stage.
Still devastated about my loss, I popped in to Welfare on my way past to register my details with lost property for my camera.
It was so well organised, full of friendly sympathetic people.
I gave the woman a full description, name, number etc,
She had a quick look out back, came out with a grin and asked me what photos were on it..
She had my camera!?!?! :o
The last photo taken...
I owe these girls a beer!! Legends.
Thus, to my delight, we carry on with more photos.
Celebration watermelon!
Hey! Ho!
Awesome set by the Lumineers. They did half of it from the middle of the crowd.
Glen Hansard. Irish and charming.
Watch the move Once It's his story :)
Sinead O'Connor.
Yes she did sing Nothing Compares and yes it was awesome.
From acoustic tent to giant flame throwing spider..
we watched the opening of Arcadia, a DJ stage like no other!
SATURDAY.. SUNSHINE DAY!
Suns out, show us yer bra!
Ben Howard
Water, Whiskey, Sun, Satisfied.
Our ever so convenient meeting spot
Did I mention the sun came out!?!
Ditched the fella for a quick fix of
Rudimental and happy Kelly's side boob.
Then off to see the Rolling Stones.
We got in surprisingly close considering the 250other thousand people.
About 4 songs in, we found ourselves feeling unenthused.
I know, it's the Stones, but they just weren't doing it for either of us.
Their attitude seemed a little .. 'I'm awesome, look at me'
It felt like they took advantage of their status and didn't put out the right vibe.
They clashed with a few major gigs so we went with our guts and headed to Chase and Status instead.
Holy shit, solid choice! They were amazing.
After they finished we buzzed our way over to Arcadia for some Fat boy slim.
Phew. Big day!
SUNDAY
The last day of music and I'm officially no longer the whitest person in England! Huzzah!
We started off with Sir Bruce Forsyth.
I had no idea who the old guy was when I got here.. British icon. Hosted The price is right a billion years ago! Entertaining ol' man, the kind you'd like to be your grandpa.
Then to Of Monsters and men. They were good fun.
Myself n WeZ found ourselves gawking at the Bjork-like lady singer for the most of it.
PIL .. lead singer of the Sex Pistols
Some more cider..
Then we settled in to the main stage for the evening.
Nice Cave and the Bad seeds
And we wait for Mumford...
Worth the wait!
The first half of the set in particular was euphoric.
We were close to the front and had room to dance among a decent crowd.
It's the main point of the festival I felt like ..whoooa!
The closed singing 'A little help from my friends' accompanied by Vampire weekend and The Vaccines. Considering the possible artists, I think it was a piss weak line up to end with, was good fun none the less.
We then got to thinking of all the areas we hadn't seen!
Block 9, the common, Shangri la.. all myths.
We made it as far as block 9. A mental setup. I failed at photos and dancing. The 2 could've been spectacular but I had nothing left in me!!
Instead we laid out our picnic rug and watched the world go by.
Passing by on the way to bed, in all it's flashing lights and fire breathing,
Arcadia never ceased to entertain me!
MONDAY
Some of us up early to pack, others not so much.
Sorted.
Home time.
Was a long journey back to London, a hot shower never felt so good.
Of all my festival experiences to date, I rate it the biggest and best organised.
Unfortunately, because there was SO many in the crowd, it felt like another English town.
It didn't have the alternative vibe I've enjoyed at others.
The setting is there, but the people didn't quite hit the spot for me.
The secret garden party we went to last year takes
Glastonbury as influence but it's smaller. Reckon they're onto it!
I'd do Glastonbury again for sure, would love to do it with a gym sorted body,
have more energy to see more!
Amazing place, so lucky to have experienced it!
Now to recharge, knuckle down and save for Aus!
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