Brownie points ....

Whilst neither Bish nor myself actually partook in this adventure ( ...except my driving through London and getting lost in Wembley was an adventure in its self!) it would be remiss of me not to capture the attendance of the Beautiful one and the first born at Wembley to see Messrs Robert Williams and Oliver Murs

I have to say that the Smith girls really had a blast and when I picked them up they waxed lyrically and effusively about how superb the evening had been... both promptly then dozed off before we even reached the North Circular - bless them!

...and here they are exercising with star jumps.

Worthy Farm revisited ...

It only seems like yesterday when I was tweeting how delighted we all were at securing passes to the 2013 festival of contemporary art 'down on jollity (Worthy) farm' (Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - google it).
So with passes clutched fiercely in clenched fists we hot footed it in the mighty bus to Pilton to enjoy the delights of Glasto 2013. At the behest of the ultimate genial host M Eavis esq.

Recognising the superior quality and the majestic aura radiating from the ultimate machine we were welcomed with open arms to the west campervan parking area after a dawn rise and gentle trundle south along the A37. A delightful road that actually takes you past the home of the enigmatic Blackthorn that alas I no longer imbibe as it has a distinctly detrimental affect on my normally genial demeanor - especially when Coldplay are involved!

Having arrived and erected the various gazebos and awning we enjoyed the rest of the day idly wandering around the various stages and getting lost as we circumnavigated the arena...awaiting the grand arrival of the beautiful ones. Naturally we took the opportunity to partake and sample  various brews and a rather delicious breakfast roll. I have to say that Otter bitter travels rather well!

Well it started raining Thursday afternoon and continued throughout the evening getting steadily heavier. Regrettably the beautiful ones, arriving by car, had to park some distance from us meaning a long and very soggy trek to find us. Still a piping hot home made paella and mucho vino soon rebuilt spirits.

Friday morning dawned dry and so it remained for the rest of the weekend with Saturday being conspicuously warm - so much so that factor 20 had to be prudently applied to avoid the onset of lobsteritus.

So between us this is who we managed to see (either a complete set or at least half a set): In no particular order:
Jake Bugg, Rita Ora, Prof Green, Primal Scream,Rolling Stones, Vampire Weekend, Mumford & Sons, The Vaccines, Elvis Costello, Kenny Rogers, Ben Howard, Tom O'Dell, Nick Cave, Dizzee Rascal, Phil Jupitas, Two Door Cinema club, Public Image Limited, The Lumineers, I am Kloot, Chic with Nile Rodgers, Seasick Steve, Tom Tom Club, Lianne La Havas, Alice Russell, Martha Wainwright and the London Gospel community choir.. We disco'ed to psychedelic 60's mod rock and 'mashed potatoe'd' to Mowtown and retro R&B (sheer class!)...O what a night!. The only disappointment was a jazz ensemble that promised much but delivered little, aptly named Bad BadNotGood

Of those we couldn't get to see these as they clashed,  I was genuinely disappointed at not catching ...
Arctic Monkeys, The XX, Foals, Tame Impala, Editors, Portishead, Django Django, Cat Power, Bastille, Rudimental, Johnny Marr, Jessie Ware, Stornoway, Sinead O'Connor, K T Tunstall Gretchen Peters, Beverley Knight, Newton Faulkner and Brian Cox & the infinite monkey cage.

Here are some random Pics

Thwack of Leather on Willow ...

The Legend, The Mighty Woolie and Hendy Minimus party with the Smith boys ......

Sporting endeavour is to be admired and the chance to watch the genteel flannel clad gladiators engage in feisty combat is to be embraced at every opportunity.

Great joy therefore as we sallied forth to witness England thump the Aussies at the Edgbaston Colosseum.

A memorable day indeed for all concerned.
Made even more poignant by the reunion with the male heir (recuperating from Uni); the legend that is the Hendy : the mighty 'Woolie' and even more special as it was the inaugural attendance by Hendy minimus; what better way to start his journey than witnessing an Aussie collapse!

The Colosseum

Hendy Minimus with the Legend,Woolie and Male heir ...

Stewards returning our glasses for recycling ..well the weather was warm!

Nice overnight abode thanks to the Legend!

Well done Hannah ...

I have been somewhat dilatory in keeping the blog updated and will seek to do better going forward.

So catching up I have to congratulate the genius first born on graduating with a first.
Just look at her final collection below and you will understand why.

Funbus unfurled ....

The recent soirée to the Vendee resulted in the funbus brand being created in a rather fitting manner.... at a market stall we entrusted to the imagination of a street artist the freedom to express their inner selves and lo and behold the funbus logo was born.

...inspirational Gallic street art

..looking gooood

Male heir flying the flag

..more Happy Colin then Jolly Roger!

Pics ..

A true surfing sage

We are pleases to introduce a surfing sage who we have had  the pleasure of catching up with on our recent sojourn to the idyll of Tranche sur la mer.

Hailing from Shoreham on the south coast he is indeed wise in all things boarding even though he no longer rides the swell. We swapped yarns and memories and were pleased to be acknowledged as kindred members of the surfing fraternity as we have the blood !

So we will often raise a glass or two to Joe, his good lady wife and Eddie his trusty hound as we continue our adventures. Hopefully we will meet up next year ....