http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/The Glastonbury Festival Blog. Stumbling around a field with a mobile camera phone, recording the best bits so that I remember where I was afterwards...en-UKhttp://backend.userland.com/rss092http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/cc/555cc06e2f764041be0f8bafecd442_160x200.jpg <p>There is never quite a shower like the first shower after Glastonbury. The unfamiliar but comforting feeling of hot water on cold, tired limbs is almost worth all the previous discomfort. Almost...</p> <p>We did very well at getting out, making it onto public roads in little over half an hour. This was in no small way helped by our use of a Land Rover. Two years ago we arrived at Glastonbury to a hail of anti-4x4 slogans. Well, they were notable by their absence that Sunday when it was realised that the festival simply wouldn't have been able to run through the flooding that year without them. So it was today that we were able gently to slide past most other cars that were being towed or pushed (!) out by tractor.</p> <p>The motorway was being dumped on by a huge amount of rain as we headed back and it was 50-60mph most of the way. It was then that we began to realise, that despite having just endured mud and water for the best part of 3 days, we had actually been very lucky. If Sunday night's downpour had happened on Wednesday this would have been a much tougher Glastonbury.</p> <p>I think it's nearly time for bed.<br> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/warm_and_dry~2533029/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/warm_and_dry~2533029/Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:54:22 +0200 <p>I give up. Glastonbury 2007 is over for me. It's nearly 4am and it's been raining all night. I had hoped to see a few more things but, frankly, it's too wet. I hope it stops before we have to take our tents down. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/game_over_man_game_over~2531883/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/game_over_man_game_over~2531883/Mon, 25 Jun 2007 03:45:59 +0200 <p>Earlier we saw Pendulum Live in the Dance East tent. They were, as always, pretty awesome but the tent was completely rammed! Perhaps encouraged by the downpour the crowds were there in force and I struggled to get into the tent at all. Nevertheless, the group were their usual fantastic selves.</p> <p>Trying to find all of our group in the mud proved to be a long mission and we missed most of the Chemical Brothers set; a shame as it was highly spoken of. I now write this in an almost deserted Glade while waiting for a friend to turn up. The rain shows no signs of abating and I'm less than keen to move out into the water. These plastic disposable kagools are essential! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/rain_constant_unrelenting_rain~2531871/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/25/rain_constant_unrelenting_rain~2531871/Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:30:02 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/612/1724612_415e8d599a_m.jpg" alt="200706241640_00097" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/one_way_to_deal_with_the_mud~2512697/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/one_way_to_deal_with_the_mud~2512697/Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:38:22 +0200 <p>The green lobby may have their dislike of Chelsea tractors but I have to tell you: nothing is moving around here that isn't based on legs or a Land Rover. Mud depth now at 5 inches. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/my_kingdom_for_a_4x4~2512676/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/my_kingdom_for_a_4x4~2512676/Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:58:58 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/602/1724602_6f0d088ea4_m.jpg" alt="200706241420_00094" vspace="5" hspace="5"><br> The only downside of mud is that it slows everything down. Walking. Dancing. Getting ANYWHERE! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/fast_mud_slow_mud~2512671/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/fast_mud_slow_mud~2512671/Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:06:21 +0200 <p>The Marley Brothers present Exodus on the Pyramid Stage.</p> <p>Most bizarre conversation I have yet had involved a complete stranger who was telling me how "It's such a shame Jimi Hendrix isn't around to play this year!"</p> <p>There's still a lot of mud but there are slight patches of sun here and there...<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/573/1724573_8647e66c36_m.jpg" alt="200706241440_00095" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/no_more_rain_honest~2512660/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/no_more_rain_honest~2512660/Sun, 24 Jun 2007 15:01:54 +0200 <p>Some groups of Australian aboriginals have a slightly different system for the seasons than other cultures. Instead of four seasons they have six, and often recognise an eight or 9-year cycle of the behaviour of the weather. This latter point is vindicated by the modern day ‘discovery’ of the solar cycle; a variation in the level of activity in the sun that can have strong influences in our weather pattern.</p> <p>Why the background? Well, the hottest day on record in England was achieved in the summer of 2003. It is therefore almost entirely predictable that four years on we would be ‘enjoying’ a grotty summer like this during a lull in the solar cycle.</p> <p>So would I not have bothered coming with the benefit of hindsight? Don’t be daft…</p> <p>Everything and everyone is utterly filthy right now. Mud is ankle high. I'm going to have to clean every single item in my possession with a sand-blaster. I have accepted finally that I smell. And still, no-one particularly cares. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/sunday_morning_at_glastonbury~2512657/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/24/sunday_morning_at_glastonbury~2512657/Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:32:13 +0200 <p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_editors~2512627/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_editors~2512627/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:40:01 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/554/1724554_eeb6deeb5f_m.jpg" alt="200706231853_00088" vspace="5" hspace="5"><br>....in the Dance Village. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/strange_shiny_people~2512623/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/strange_shiny_people~2512623/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 20:09:39 +0200 <p>On the John Peel stage now.<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/551/1724551_9844f1290a_m.jpg" alt="200706231719_00084" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/calvin_harris~2512617/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/calvin_harris~2512617/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:26:14 +0200 <p>Still a little damp down here.<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/549/1724549_fcdb42f113_m.jpg" alt="200706231701_00082" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/mud_soft_and_gloopy_but_still_mud~2512616/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/mud_soft_and_gloopy_but_still_mud~2512616/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:21:43 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/547/1724547_fff5c7ee48_m.jpg" alt="200706231643_00081" vspace="5" hspace="5"><br> She's got quite a crowd too, despite the bog-like conditions close to the front. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/lilly_allen_on_the_pyramid_stage~2512615/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/lilly_allen_on_the_pyramid_stage~2512615/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 17:19:13 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/542/1724542_bb20847be2_m.jpg" alt="200706231303_00078" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/soaking_up_the_mud~2512607/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/soaking_up_the_mud~2512607/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:06:19 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/541/1724541_7ed982677c_m.jpg" alt="200706231221_00077" vspace="5" hspace="5"><br> Ah, not that bad! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_state_of_my_feet~2512606/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_state_of_my_feet~2512606/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:24:18 +0200 <p>I've just checked out my blog to find that the posts I've made in the last two days haven't appeared, which explains why you all think I've been so quiet. Very frustrating. Not sure what's going on but I think my blogging host is having problems.</p> <p>Quick catch-up: we spent the afternoon lounging by Jazz World with hefty quantities of pear cider. The rain fell in earnest here but we all just put on the waterproofs and got on with the job in hand. Bloc Party played a crowd-pleasing set when the sun came out on the Pyramid Stage as we headed towards evening, then a spirited performance in a packed Avalon tent for Cat Empire. The Arctic Monkeys gave it their all for the headline Pyramid slot then we wandered around Lost Vagueness (once we could get in - it was packed) finding some very lost and vague people.</p> <p>OK, I admit - it is a little muddy. It can slow us down when we move about but otherwise it just isn't a problem. It's just ... there. We're expecting more of the same for the rest of the weekend. But it's fine.</p> <p>So, Saturday already. Guess we'd better get up and see what's going on... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/it_must_be_something_in_the_rain~2504426/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/it_must_be_something_in_the_rain~2504426/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:25:12 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/534/1724534_dce2eb6103_m.jpg" alt="200706211927_00064" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_lost_vagueness_ballroom~2512600/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/23/the_lost_vagueness_ballroom~2512600/Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:39:20 +0200 <p><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/525/1724525_e9cd429200_m.jpg" alt="200706221553_00073" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/salsa_band_nasio_fontane~2512579/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/salsa_band_nasio_fontane~2512579/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:57:40 +0200 <p>Might even dry up that last shower...</p> <p>Everytime the sun comes out it meets with an enormous cheer from the assembled company. It's not THAT muddy... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/the_sun_is_back_out~2512577/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/the_sun_is_back_out~2512577/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:42:26 +0200 <p>The field of Lost Vagueness is just plain weird. Between the burlesque shows and the "Grand Travelling Insect Circus" lies "The Chapel of Love & Loathe". This lifesize replica of a church comes provides all manner of semi-holy ceremonies from marriage to divorce and all the fun in between...</p> <p>Other attractions in Lost Vagueness include a ballroom, an exclusive casino (with a dress code), a 24-hour American diner, a butler service and, of course, the slightly confused feeling you'll have when you leave...<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/520/1724520_a13ca00523_m.jpg" alt="200706211850_00062" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/lost_vagueness~2512574/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/lost_vagueness~2512574/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:51:07 +0200 <p>We've just been drenched by a heavy shower. No-one cared; they just put on their plastic macs and carried on dancing.</p> <p>I mean, what's a bit of moisture between friends? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/real_rain~2499810/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/real_rain~2499810/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:16:24 +0200 <p>Bring it on...<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/518/1724518_c1b86a2c5f_m.jpg" alt="200706221340_00072" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/you_call_this_mud~2512565/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/you_call_this_mud~2512565/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:44:31 +0200 <p>It had been a full five minutes after I poked my head out of the tent when it started to rain. It's not the rampant, anarchic drenching of 2005 but a gentle, constant affair that has the potential to really moisten things up.</p> <p>But calculating the mud is complex. You must take into account the amount of rain, length of the shower, number of people walking about, ability of the ground to absorb the water, drying capacity of any sunshine and, frankly, whether we care how muddy we get or not. And we don't.</p> <p>Blame for this weather must surely go to Norweigan folk band Adjagas who started as the first band on the main stage just before the rains and are still on now. Apparently they were set to open the festival in 2005 until the flash flood took out half the site. It must be an omen... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/friday_morning_in_a_tent~2512563/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/friday_morning_in_a_tent~2512563/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:03:28 +0200 <p>The number of people at Glastonbury this year has been extended from 150,000 people to 175,000 people. In practical terms this means that the site has expanded from the size of a town with the population of Dundee or Swindon to one comparable with Norwich. In any case, the Glastonbury Festival still has more people than notable towns such as Exeter, Cambridge, Oxford, York or Ipswich!</p> <p>(No, I don't know the population of British towns off by heart - I looked it up before we left!)</p> <p>On a related note, here's a picture of some aliens asking a local bobby for directions.<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/619/1724619_de3100d79a_m.jpg" alt="200706212010_00069" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/aliens_and_the_police~2512708/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/22/aliens_and_the_police~2512708/Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:58:01 +0200 <p>The Jazz World flags on a beautiful summer's evening. Were you expecting rain?<br>We are. Tomorrow...<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/214/1714214_2bd3e93eb0_m.jpg" alt="200706212022_00071" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/jazz_world_flags~2495576/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/jazz_world_flags~2495576/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:30:01 +0200 <p>Mud? None so far. Sorry... :-)<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/191/1713191_a996021707_m.jpg" alt="200706211443_00060" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/the_pyramid_stage_getting_set_up~2493459/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/the_pyramid_stage_getting_set_up~2493459/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:50:01 +0200Thank you to everyone who sent message gloating at the impending weather. Yes, it has just started raining properly. No, we couldn't give an Arctic Monkeys...<p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/mmm_a_slight_moisture_in_the_air~2493122/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/mmm_a_slight_moisture_in_the_air~2493122/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:54:02 +0200 <p>When I woke about an hour ago there was a slight shower but as yet we haven't ventured out to see how muddy it has made the ground. It'll be fine. Really...<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/638/1712638_58706b29cf_m.jpg" alt="200706201944_00052" vspace="5" hspace="5"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/a_little_rain_shall_fall~2492442/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/a_little_rain_shall_fall~2492442/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:50:02 +0200It never ceases to amaze me how near to the toilets people are willing to pitch their tent. If the risk of flooding doesn't get you the smell might... Or, in the case of this structure near The Park, you might just decide to build your own biosphere and be done with it.<br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/832/1711832_fa9442565e_m.jpg" alt="200706201917_00049" vspace="5" hspace="5"><p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/living_in_a_bubble~2490631/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/living_in_a_bubble~2490631/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 01:16:01 +0200The Stone Circle has again given rise to another magnificent mythical wooden animal. Can you guess what it is yet? <br><img src="http://data4.blog.de/media/645/1711645_0c8fc44662_m.jpg" alt="200706201925_00051" vspace="5" hspace="5"><p> <small> <a href="http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/20/we_think_it_might_be_a_dragon_good_thing~2490170/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://glastonbury.blog.co.uk/2007/06/20/we_think_it_might_be_a_dragon_good_thing~2490170/Wed, 20 Jun 2007 22:48:02 +0200