With August comes the Endorse-It-In-Dorset Festival, our annual outing to cow punk, folk rock, cider swilling mayhem. Last weekend I packed up our camping kit n funky frocks and headed off in the torrential rain straight after a long day at work. Sul's childminder couldn't believe we were going through with it despite the good old British weather, insisting on furnishing me with a spare waterproof jacket for Sul (thanks Pat!).
After taking the same wrong turn at the roundabout that has thrown me the last four years (oops!) we had arrived. Sul had been golden in the car, constant chatter and the odd nursery rhyme for the hour. She was really excited to be camping as ever. Absolutely no concept of rain stopping play. Luckily for me within minutes of arriving at the backstage camping I had located my friends, abandoned my child and enlisted help with tent erecting- if only every weekend was like this. My reservations around muddy festivals and memories of last year's quagmire faded as the laughter, wine and barely edible camping food flowed. It's good to be back.
Thank crunchy for Friday anyway. The sun shone from the moment I got cooked out of the tent and the rain kept at bay for the rest of the festi (right up until it was time to pack away, thanks Universe). The weekend was spent roaming around the small but perfectly formed site, resting a while at the bus bar (available for party hire guys!), checking out various bands in the three marquees, completing my three shifts in the Hospitality Tent and many many hours in the beautiful Kids Area where Sul was entertained and I had a rest. Last Year the Kids Area was voted 'Most Friendly' in the efestival (I Think) awards. I would not be surprised if it won the title again. Highlights for me, or should I say Sul were the Panic Circus and Travellers Playbus. Sul seems to have inherited an aptitude for Circus Skills from the absent parent. Which is lucky as I'm as clumsy as they come!
Oh and did I mention dancing till the wee hours? Sul is just about small enough to fit into her buggy. This means that she can fall asleep on site not in tent. Hurrah! Festivals are liberating for parents who are usually prisoners in their own home post 7pm. Armed with my fella's ear defenders, blankets and all my friends' coats Sul happily snoozed to Dreadzone, Subgiant, Zion Train, Tofu Love Frogs plus plus plus, allowing me to boogie the night away and explore the wonder that is NightTime Festival. The cross section of crusties, hippies, punks and Joe Bloggs kept the party going and the atmosphere friendly. Strange Pixies served Lentil Soup from Mushroom painted Geo Domes (I was given the recipe), budding musicians jammed around the campfire in Strummerville and Northern Soul tunes kicked out of the Wig On Casino. Happy days (and nights). My friend and I decided to move to Wales, make Lentil Soup and employ a 7ft Giant to transport us around in a double buggy. I'll let you know if it happens.....
And what about the great Endorse-It tradition that is 'Ladies Day'. Sporting my Pink Prom dress I joined those other daring men and women (yes, men) in fabulous frocks on Sunday. This year must have been the largest number of men in dresses I have had the pleasure of witnessing.
So a big THANK YOU to the Pronghorn Crew, who not only did a blinding set on Friday Night to get us into the swing of things, but who spend the whole year planning, preparing and delivering possible the best l'il festi on the scene.
We'll see you there next year!!
