OK so, weeks since last blog: 2, music festivals: 2, blogs: 1 (this one) so we failed again, but in our defence, we have been too busy enjoying ourselves, and living, to be writing blogs as well!
Monday (21st August), more eating out with Family, Dean’s Garden centre, near York, this time for lunch. A slightly strange set up, cafeteria style where you have to order at the counter, however once ordered they bring everything out to your table on a trolley. Good food all round!
Tuesday, we went to the Pocklington Arts Centre to the cinema, Nic worked in this building as a teenager when there was a privately owned slot machine museum, as well as a cinema. Lots of memories! We saw Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (AKA “Harrison Ford’s Pension”) an enjoyable film with lots of references to all the other Indiana Jones movies.
Wednesday, we spend the day packing up all the camping gear!
Thursday, we drove down to Hampshire, to volunteer at Carfest, a family car show/festival run by Chris Evans for Children in Need. Once we got there after a 4 ½ hr drive, we registered for our volunteering shifts and were offered the track crossings, which we happily accepted, it is a car show after all.
On Thursday evening we met the rest of the team at the Festaff briefing, then on Friday morning we were taken to our respective track crossings, where we would spend most of our time over the weekend. Nic got crossing point 4, a very busy crossing leading to the main stage arena. Our role was to close the track with the track Marshall and security, and then redirect the public over the foot bridge if they needed to cross. It was also interesting chatting with people who chose to stay at the trackside while the cars came past. Nic was very impressed with those (some of them very young), who could name the make and model of each car as they approached, sometimes at considerable speed!
Rog was allocated crossing point 5, which was not on the festival’s public map, so had less members of the public crossing, however it was one of the main (non-racing) vehicle access points on to the track so lots of contractors, in all manner of vehicles including, fork lift trucks, golf buggies, cars, trucks, and a Segway! It was also a VIP entrance, so got to spot famous faces, so even Rog recognised Richard Hammond (Presenter Top Gear (previously) and the Grand Tour), Chris Evans (Radio Presenter), Suzie/Eddie Izzard (Comedian), Rick Parfitt Jnr (Musician (Son of Rick Parfitt of Status Quo). Actually Rog didn’t recognise him, but Rick introduced himself as he need to find the stage! Jodie Scheckter F1 World Champion in 1979, is the owner of Laverstoke Farm Park, a 2,500 arce farm where Carfest is being held and now rides a Segway! Rog swiftly moved the barriers to let him through whenever he approached. Crossing point 5 was also just before the finish line and paddock, so had a great view of all the cars.
Each evening there was live music, including Boyzlife, Razorlight, McFly, Reef, Rick Parfitt Jnr, Rich Astley, The Feeling SuperGroup with Ricky Wilson & Tony Christie, Village People and Texas. All the music was great with the exception of Village People, who did not come on at the scheduled time, despite Chris Evans build up and introductions, when they finally did come on, we were less than impressed, they did a half hour (ish) set, when everybody in the audience only wanted a rendition of YMCA which they eventually did, and then left the stage. Chris Evans was obviously not impressed and showed his frustration!
The evening was saved by Texas, who always put on a cracking show!
All in all a very enjoyable weekend.
On Monday (28th August) drove home for a rest, but not a very long rest, we spent a couple of days sorting all our gear out again.
Thursday (31 August) we drove back down south, to Norwich, Norfolk. This time to volunteer at ‘Sundown” weekend music festival. We were scanning tickets and “wrist banding” 2 x 8hrs shifts each for free entry to the festival, a very different type of festival, with a lot of younger people.
Friday and Saturday, we both did our shifts, it’s been a long time since either of us have done 8 hours on our feet, but we survived and then headed into the festival, to spend our meal vouchers! Listens to some music before heading back to our tent!
Sunday, we broke camp at the festival in the morning, and went in to Norwich city centre for a walk around as we had never been. A nice city, reminded us a lot of York.
We then drove to one of Rog’s old school friends for a very enjoyable evening of chatting, eating, drinking and sitting in the sun, then near the fire pit, dark skies with amazing stars. We spend a lot of time reminiscing, talking about and comparing our various ailments, a sure sign that we are getting old.
Travurple 