We spent the entire last 48 hours packing and sorting do when it turned 3am and alarm went off we were less than enthusiastic to get up. But we did and with a little bit of messing about joining the caravan on the van and getting the kids in without any tired induced falling out, we set off
I totally love this time of year, rain or shine, the break of dawn is always stunning!
We stopped for breakfast at half six and after a pastry and kitty a quick play in the grubby soft play area we were off again. Kitty was shattered but was super cute. So with the bag we bought her forthe festival securely strapped to her back at all times, donned in pjs.. She made a super cute sight!
By 9am we were coming up to Bristol, we stopped at the ‘teketubbies services’ (aka Glouctershire services…very posh farm shop /hipster services) they were queuing out of the door for the cafe so we all bundled into the parent/child changing and toilet room and giggled liked kids as we all had a wee in front of each other!
We hit the farm shop and spent well over odds (£23) on a small bag of very splendid brownies, cheeses and other bits.. Yum!
Just before getting on site we pulled into sainsburys at Glastonbury. We go every year, it’s the last wee in a flushing loo, chance to pick up last bits and just generally get excited seeing how the supermarket gets ready to enjoy the festival trade.
As we drove into sainsburys car park our usual spot was taken, we normally park across four spaces at the back of the car park so to fit the entire rig in, but it was full! How dare they , we’ve used that space on this day for the last ten years!!!! Cheek of it!
It’s still a few days before the punters arrive but crew are starting to come in tomorrow enmass. We get an early delivery pass so we can have an extra day to not only set up the space but create the garden the festival commences . So locals are just getting used to the idea that 200k people will be descending their town within days.
As I walked back towards the rig ( the van was stuck out slightly blocking the road.. Someone did take our space you know) an older couple pottered by. The little white haired lady all dressed in tweed and pearls said “oh Jack, the hippies are back” I had a little smile to myself.
So ten minutes later we drove into the red trade and deliveries gate. We were ushered straight through and saw stewards pointing us to the lane with no cars in it..! We zoomed (at a very strict 5mph) passed all the waiting trucks, rigs and vans to the front of the lane.. They said something to each other and pointed at us a few times.. What had we done wrong??? At last ( well about ten seconds later) the lady came over , stuck our pass on the window and sent us in! You could feel the fury of the four guys besides , who had obviously been waiting hours and we’re having their van searched! Not us..no search, no health and safety, no checking tickets! It dawned on us later that we still had the health and safety sticker in the windscreen from two years ago , they must have seen it and thought we’d already been through the checks and just waved us in! Amazing to get in so quick but now feel so bad that I’m trying to get mr O to go back and get inducted!!!
It really is like coming home, arriving back here is so lovely! Wenkniwbit so well and just feel so honoured to be part of the greatest show on earth. To see it been built from the ground up this week and to be part of the show is super!
The guys that run our area when we arrived, were out sorting a broken down van, so we emptied the caravan of our bikes and climbed into bed for a couple of hours! Total bliss!
We have our pitch now, it’s a corner pitch again, they like us to be prominent so folks can see us.. ( We have a beautiful garden area ! ) But our crew area , where we live, a funny shape, we will see how we do it but it will be a real case of tent jenga ( I’ll post photos tomorrow when it’s light)
Mr O and I spotted the wood pile hadn’t been scalped yet so took the van down to fill up on wood for building benches and signs. We also called at the long drop loos!! I usually avoid them and use the waterless composting ones , but they aren’t ready yet.
We have a loo in the caravan but it’s strictly number ones only! Mr O and I shared out the toilet roll and entered the open top cubicals with a deep breath.
After a thorough wipe down I braved the seat. It’s never gonna stop been weird pooing with the rain coming down on your head and having a couple seconds delay from poo exclusion to water contact., it’s quite unsettling!
Anyway I finished, washed and sat in the van waiting. I spotted my husbands shoes under the door and had a little giggle to myself. After 23 years mar age I’m still embarrassed for him! Then he exited, came over and said in a stage whisper ” I need more loo roll” ha! I gave him the roll and he ran back to his cubical.
Now as a bit of a psychotherapy geek, all I wanted to know was why he went back to the same cubical., it’s not like you flush and all the cubicals share the same trough! So why did he need to run all the way to the end and not go in the first door?
On questioning him I got my very obvious answer
” I’d bloody cleaned that seat! I’m hardly gonna let that baby go to waste!”
I get it! I really do!
We got back and had some giggles with the kids, laughed at Daddy who after a few medicinal whiskies struggled to get the radio working.
We are all in bed now, it’s not too late but we are shattered after such a long few days and I’m still struggling with a cough a cold but listening to the shipping forecast on radio 4 ( totally my favourite caravan activity!) as always have me comfort and strength!
They are all sleeping and I’m happily enjoying my caravan.. It’s the best! Well she is.. She’s called Lola.. From now on its how I will refer to her.
Good night!
(((Zips up awning and Closes roof light))
Round Peg festival Mama 