Monday, September 08, 2008

I'm back, and I survived!

I'm back, and despite the weather, I survived my first ever camping at a festival experience. For the last 4 days, this is where I have been:Bestival - or perhaps now renamed Worstival - and really this was just down to the weather, which was frankly foul. This was the order of the day: - It was like this every day, for 4 whole days, with plenty of wind and rain thrown into the mix.
Pitching the tent was like flying a kite - the wind was so strong and the rain was so heavy, and we were soaked to the skin and freezing cold. I just wanted to pack up everything and come home again, but frankly I was a bit too stubborn to give in.
Spending days wading through mud in various stages from sloppy to clay-like, I have found muscles that I never knew I had.

Some pics of our time away: a novel/eco way to charge your mobile phone. These people were peddling away for about 30 mins at a time:I would probably say I was enjoying myself 50% of the time - but the mud, wind and rain did make it very hard to enjoy the whole experience. I have worn nothing but wellies for 4 days - and simple things like shoes, warm dry clothes, hot showers and a warm dry bed really do seem to be a luxury now that we are home. I haven't been put off camping, but I'd definitely think twice before going to another festival.

Also, on a slightly more positive note this is my 200th post. If you'd like to get your hands on some monda goodness (as yet unmade - although I could cobble together a pair of soggy muddy socks - I have these a plenty!) then just drop me a comment on this post by Friday at 6pm (UK time) and I'll find some kind of creative way to choose a winner at random.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! I'd like to say Bestival looked like fun .... but I just can't!!

On the plus side ... you did get a lot of use out of your wellies ....

Happy 200!

:)

jojoebi-designs said...

eeewww that bought back memories, Reading festival AKA mudbath at least you had wellies!

Stephanie Pettengell said...

Mud, Mud, glorious mud !!!! This is the year of the mud memories. Well done on 200 posts.

Unknown said...

ugh. yuk. nasty. That doesn't look very fun at all. I am such a moaning minny I'd have come home after 2 minutes - so HOORAY for you, and being brave and sticking it out.

Unknown said...

I wouldn't have lasted five minutes in that cold wet mud - Well Done!!! I hope there was plenty of good music to make up for the weather...

Congratulations on your 200th post!

Anonymous said...

monda you need to get yourself a campervan then you'd be nice and warm and dry!! x

Gina said...

Well done you on braving it out. I think I would have turned round and come straight home no matter how good the bands were. It looks horrendous! Congratulations on 200 posts.

Gillian R said...

Happy 200th Post!!!!!!!!!
Got to love that shot of the tents.. fab. And what a fantabulous idea to charge your mobile! LOL Seems like ppl can't keep away from technology even for a mud drenched weekend...

Nanna said...

Love your stamina in the mud!
Congrats on your 200th post!!

Kitty said...

Wow ... that's real mud. You'll look back and laugh, really you will. In about 10 years.

Congratulations on the 200th post.

x

Locket Pocket said...

YUK!!!!!

Congratulations on 200 posts but please, please don't send me any soggy and muddy socks if I'm lucky enough to win!!!

Deanne said...

amazing how sloppy mud finds muscles you never knew you had aint it! :) lol
brilliant pictures x

Anonymous said...

Wow ! You did well to stick it out. Happy Bloggiversary
LucyC

silverpebble said...

Glad you could enjoy HALF of your time - it did look sticky and mucky. I can so see how a warm bed would be very welcome after that lot.

200 posts? Wow - that's stacks - congratulations!

Monster song still an absolute winner at this end - still tears when we finally have to turn it off after 5 or 6 plays back to back!

jennyflowerblue said...

ooooo yeah! We did a muddy G'bury and I remember the aching thighs from picking up sticky-muddy feet. I also had to push the car out of the car park and it lurched forward and I fell on my arse then my back....stop laughing! I have not been to a festival since. xx

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

the picture of tents is amazing, my fav. summer picture in blogland so far...Oh festivals, how I remember the mud...I have the best excuse now..just too old to go...Ha Ha

picciolo said...

well done on 200 posts! I don't think I would have survived all that mud
: )

Mrs Moog said...

Blimey missus...next time you go to Bestival pop in for a hot shower and a cuppa on your way home!!! If you ferry to Southampton we're just 2 miles from the boat.

Congratulations on your 200th post. Are the muddy socks hand knitted?

xxxx

dotswood said...

So what is Bestival? I guess since I'm from the States...I just have never heard of it before... And what a trouper you are!! I don't think I could have lasted all four days!!! My husband and I are going camping next week in our truck camper... so I guess that's not as bad as what you went through... still no potty or shower, but we'll be in a KOA so at least it will be available.

Congrats on your 200th post!!
dot

Jenny said...

You're very brave for sticking it out at Bestival. I would have given up soon after arriving, run home, cranked the central heating up and had a hot bath! What great British weather we've had this summer :)

Woo Gilchrist said...

Well done on the 200th post, I'd love the chance to win a goodie.

I must admit the mud and stuff would really give me the hump.

W.
x

Jodie said...

OMG - OMG. How miserable !