Adieu, my friends in the fields

Adieu, my friends in the fields, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

It's nigh on impossible to describe Glastonbury Festival in any meaningful sense to a person who has never been there. The experience is just something you have to do yourself. There is a little bit of the undefinable about the place here that, even if you have been to other music festivals, makes a visit to Worthy Farm a special treat.



There are so many aspects to the event. Most people are drawn by the music, a reliably high quality selection who are not even announced when the tickets go on sale. Almost all are there to share the experience with their friends and family. Many look to Glastonbury to meet like-minded people and further worthy causes. Some go for something more spiritual, the festival site and local area being awash with ancient mystic symbolism. A few, lets be fair, are there for the drugs. The way all these aspects are woven together is what defines the festival. It was suggested to me, "There are 16 million ways to enjoy Glastonbury" and its true.



Best act? By a whisker, Coldplay - for sheer showmanship - marginally over the Killers who played their hearts out to an enthralled crowd. Naked body count? 3. Best Glastonbury 'moment'? Being hugged by a complete stranger just because she needed it, not to mention Primal Scream being thrown off stage, this morning's sunrise, a guy rugby tackling a detergentu bubble as it floated past, Coldplay covering Kylie, two blokes sitting merrily in deck chairs in a foot of water, and a charming girl at sunrise who was describing the spiritual power of the Stone Circle to me. Who were you?



I am now an expert on 24 different types of mud, 3 types of toilet, pear cider, how to dance with your feet stuck firm in mud, long distance walking and the precise times for sunset and sunrise.



Thank you, Michael and Emily, for another unmissable adventure in the fields...

Dawn

Dawn, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

You asked for it, here it is. Dawn, Monday morning at the Stone Circle. Now screw you guys, I'm going to bed...

The festival rarely even considers sleeping

The festival rarely even considers sleeping, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Glastonbury truly never stops. Here I found an impromptu saxophone set from someone - at 5am.



Last night we were standing non-stop for about 6 hours through Keane, New Order and the headliners Coldplay ... but it was worth it. We were only 20 metres from the bands and the sheer power of the stage was overwhelming. Coldplay rose to the occasion as a headline act should do, enthralling the crowd with a polished performance.



Scissor Sisters were about last night, playing in the field of Lost Vagueness. They proved so popular the field was blocked off for safety!



Mud news: The mud is now a stiff paste instead of the dribbly gloop it was before. We can even sit on the ground in places.



It's going to be a lovely day...

Coldplay - on the Pyramid Stage very soon...

Coldplay - on the Pyramid Stage very soon..., originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Setting up for Coldplay on the main stage. Big, 'init? There are SO many people here...



Keith Allen and a comedy panto horse just joined New Order on stage.

Coldplay, from about 20 metres

Coldplay, from about 20 metres, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Amazing

Ash

Ash, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Ash give it some beans on the main stage a few minutes ago.



And if you're wondering why I wasn't closer, its 'cos I had just left the inimitable Chas and Dave. Who rocked.

The latest on the mud

Bits of the mud have super-glued themselves to my hair with cement-like force.

So little time...

With so many quality acts on at any one time, the logistics of cramming as much in as possible become quite complex. Getting between stages is also sometimes problematic as knee high mud conspires against rapid transfer.

Realising this, we decided to stay after Killers for the White Stripes instead of trying to cross a virtual swamp. I admit to being a little disappointed by the latter act, playing after a storming set from the Killers. Despite a spirited effort, the Stripes didnt really capture the crowd and people were definately drifting away from the headline slot as they performed.

Saturday promises to be a confusing mass of walking around, trying to see as many bands as possible playing at opposite ends of the site. We are currently waiting for Goldie Lookin Chain and Kaiser Chiefs, before going round the corner for Chas n Dave in Acoustic, Timo Mass in the Dance Village and back for Keane on the Pyramid Stage. After that, the field is our oyster!

Mud monster

Mud monster, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

This fellow rose up from the mud and walked among us. Caked in mud.



No wellies here on my feet, a minor problem but fine to a point. That point being about 15cm up my ankle. Oh look, another person has slipped over...

Going to investigate mud

We are going to check out fields that are rumoured to be swamp-like. If you dont hear from me by Monday, call the coastguard.

Actually the sun keeps making an appearance, in between thick cloud. If we dont get any more rain this weekend it should be ok. Otters' Pockets are hovering, Dan....

Apparently someone has been seen canoeing down a lane.

Zutons

Zutons, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

On Pyramid Stage, about now.

More about mud

More about mud, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Thank you to the person who sent me a weather update. Sun cream tomorrow, then...

Amen

Amen, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

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Wet

The thunder last night was SO loud! The place is soaked. Thanks to everyone who has suggested variations on getting naked and rolling around in the mud. Oh dear.

Anyone seen a weather forecast, cos I haven't.

Sun's out...

Dare I say its looking quite pleasant now...?

Wet. Damn wet.

Wet. Damn wet., originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

There was a hint of sunshine earlier but now the thunder and lightning has returned with a vengeance. There is a stream running between our tents, fed from the overflow from the aptly named Muddy Lane. I have decided against going anywhere or doing anything outside for the next hour.



The Undertones did a good set though, dedicating a song to John Peel. Looking to go find Bodyrockers in the dance village in a bit, IF the rain has relented a bit. Apparently its a total mud-bath down there already...

The weather

The first rumble of thunder has been heard, met with a defiant "No!" from the crowd.

IMAGE_00017.jpg

IMAGE_00017.jpg, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

With the sun set on the day, Glastonbury springs to life. Most people have arrived and any space left between tents is being snatched up by those keen for the challenge. Often using techniques more normally associated with the Tardis, you are often left wondering how so big a tent has fitted so snugly in what was previously thought to be a small space.



The fierce heat has relented and it is now possible to sit in a tent without feeling like you are being microwaved.



Saw first naked person today. Declined invitation to do similar. That said, its amazing how little you are suprised by things like that here...

IMAGE_00012.jpg

IMAGE_00012.jpg, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

IMAGE_00014.jpg

IMAGE_00014.jpg, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

IMAGE_00013.jpg

IMAGE_00013.jpg, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Coming soon...

Coming soon..., originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

The Pyramid Stage nears completion. Probably the fewest number of people you will ever see under it.

Feel the tension mount

With 24hrs to go before the main stage kicks off, the atmosphere is starting to build. Thursday is already a scorcher and you just know the are going to be lots of English-skinned lobsters running around later.

Tent places are filling up. Camps being established. The toilets, so the girls amongst us say - are already minging. And its only Thursday...

Dusk

Dusk, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

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Facilities

Since u ask, the traffic wasn't bad considering the time of day.We drove straight in. Think its getting busier now, though, as everyone finishes work.

Toilets, I havn't seen yet. Wish me luck...

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ... Glastonbury!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ... Glastonbury!, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

God bless her, and all who rock in her.

Bugger

Bugger, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Traffic, J9 M5. How annoying, especially as we had JUST missed the exit. Not going anywhere...

Is this the way to Amarillo?

Is this the way to Amarillo?, originally uploaded by Glastonbury moBlogger.

Nope, Glastonbury.



[To Katie, Howie, Snakey B and Mike: Yes, Naturally, I Wish and Wanabee. In that order]

Thank you Mr. Tesco

The pre-Glastonbury shop for all things essential (toilet paper, cereal bars, beer...) has uncovered a little gem. It's a stool-cum-backpack than one may use to carry around and then sit on. Genius. £6.48. Bargain.

In other news, toilet paper now comes in boxes. Flat packed. This is also wonderful news, though if you've never been to a festival you just won't understand why...

Can't make it to Glastonbury?

BBC TV and radio are, as usual, covering Glastonbury. Check the schedules at either the BBC or Radio Times. If you're there, the Radio 1 tent is always a quality affair.

Finger on the pulse...

I had an e-mail through yesterday from See Tickets, confirming that my
Glastonbury tickets had been despatched that day and would be with me
soon. Not bad, considering they had arrived 9 days earlier!

Something beautiful

I thought I'd share with you one of the most beautiful pictures I took at last year's festival. It's around 5am on Sunday morning, and I'm standing on top of the giant LOVE letters just above the Stone Circle.

It had been a semi-cloudy night and hopes of a decent sunrise were low. But as the dawn glow grew, the clouds rolled away towards the horizon. I grabbed my camera and climbed up. It was past the official hour but the sun wasn't quite visible yet, still hidden behind a bank of clouds in the distance.

As the sun peered over the tops of the clouds I started cheering though quickly realised no-one else was. Not surprisingly, no-one else could see the sun yet as I was a clear 20ft above most people. But as the sun rose higher over the cloud the light spread down through the field until everyone below me was cheering too. I took this picture and climbed down, laying claim to being the first person on Sunday at Glastonbury 2004 to see the sun.

Sunrises don't come much better than that.

Bad postman

In the continuing saga of friends getting tickets, another one reports the delivery company have been unable to deliver tickets to him until Thursday. He's only been trying to get them for about 10 days, starting on the first day where they claimed to have left a delivery note (but didn't). Thursday should be OK, but it is cutting things just a little fine...

Dream a little dream with me...

I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt I'd been fired for going to Glastonbury and when I got there I discovered I'd forgotten to bring a tent!

And the moral of the story is ... don't eat cheese before bedtime.

Interactive blogging

I've added a bit on the right-hand-side that allows people to send a very short (50 character) text message to my mobile phone. I'm hoping people will send requests like "Take a picture of the Pyramid Stage" or "Tell us, exactly how muddy IS it there?". I can then post back to the blog.

Cunning, eh?

Absolute shocker!

Tickets: check.
Tent: check.
Big wellies: check.
Toilet roll: check.
Mates: .... ah.

Just when you think it's all sorted, fate turns around and bites you in the arse. Well, one of my friends' arses anyway. The poor lad had forgotten when he booked his tickets he was already commited to a family occasion. A big family occasion too by the sounds of things. He is now suffering an emotional trauma while simultaneously coming to terms with the fact that he's either lost £130 or has to find a way to sell it on, despite the security.

While I obviously want him to be compensated if he does sell it on, I find it reassuring that the tickets that are selling on eBay are going for semi-reasonable prices. No-one likes rip-off ticket touts but equally it's kinda frustrating that when someone can't use their ticket for entirely honest reasons they are up against the security.

Maybe a returns system for Glasto tickets is in order perhaps? I reckon people would take a £10 or £20 administration fee if they knew their tickets were going through the system legitimately.

Other useless stuff to take

• Large inflatable Big Hand (Union Jack design); one of.
• Comedy sunglasses in a St. George stylee; pair of.
• Springy frisbee, Daily Telegraph give-a-way; one of.
• Eye drops, make contact lenses turn bright green to scare little children; one of.

Essential equipment

Mag-lite on a string, people. That's where it's at. One of life's eternal frustrations at Glastonbury is walking through tents in pitch darkness, tripping over an unseen guy-rope, getting up and walking all of 3 metres before it happens again. But not this year...

Glastonbury Festival 2005 starts here

So here goes, my very first moblog. I intend on scribbling whatever I can over the festival weekend, to bring to the web the atmosphere that 150,000 party people in a field creates.

This is where my e-mail enabled phone will come in. I can record sound and if only the blogging site supported it there'd be little clips here and there. Never mind, this is a Glastonbury Blog for the people, and a Glastonbury moBlog at that!

Come back in a couple of weeks, when I expect to be heading down to the south of England for a nice big party. Here goes nothing...