Trees are weird: July 2011

I realise its been a long time since I posted anything so I guess I'll dive straight back in with my Secret Garden Party adventure.

Arriving on the Thursday, after a little panic about what you could take in alcohol-wise and desperately hiding bottles of spirits in tents, we got in a set up camp. After struggling to find somewhere nice to camp we settled next to the family camping area which turned out to be nice a quiet.

After we settle me and Clare decided to go for a little pre-wonder whilst we waited for two more friends. SGP is held around a beautiful boating lake with a small river that runs off it and parallel to one side.

Whilst looking at some interesting art that hung from a willow next to the lake a rowing boat crashed up near the edge. The tangled boaters tried to free themselves whilst shouting at pass-byers to get in! Falling into the festival spirit I scooped Clare up and waded out to the boat. We were welcomed with cheers, hugs and lots of port (the wine, not the nautical term).

Once we docked up (with 6 more people in the boat that they had set off with), we carried on our wonder. There were so many things to look at and do, I can't believe how the festival has grown in 5 years (since my last trip).

Here are some highlights to shorten this post:

"Things":

Lost Horizon's - A separate camp area with a Sauna in a yurt, plunge pool, showers, live music, nakedness and the best chai at the festival
Stair Party tower - A spiral stair case made from single bed frames with mattresses all the way up
Soft cushion room - a room completely filled with tons of soft things
Folk in a box - a tiny room with one flickering light, one solo artist, one audience member and one song (I was played an amazing acoustic cover of Tom Waits's Martha)
An old Ferris wheel and Helter skelter - It felt like being "at an adults playground"
Lots of commissioned art all over the site
Laughter workshop - I have never felt that naturally high from just laughing, very rewarding and very fun.
Benji the dog - Our next tent neighbours funny little poodle dog
The Dragon fly - They had built an island in the middle of the lake with a disco on it. The only way you could get there was by boat and on the Saturday they set fire to the whole thing with a huge firework display and balloons with LED's in them that lit up the night sky

Music: