Cropredy 2004
Thursday
Camping spot fine. Flat, unlike where I was at the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival a few weeks ago but a long way from everywhere, probably not helped by the organisers suddenly having to move many of the fields around owing to flooding...
On arrival the ongoing thunder had an artistry all to itself although the accompanying bursts of rain didn't help. Not a problem if you're under your gazeebo with bottles of wine, candles and so on but wind chimes? Multiple set of wind chimes even? I'm all for comfortable camping but I'm sure there are limits. Hopefully there's also a limit to the times the trains run, since there's a main line, oh, 20 yards away...
Important job on getting home will be varnishing the "chill out chair" which was a great buy this afternoon since it's just what I was after and can be operated one handed - just the thing if you have a drink or tea (pasta with ham carbonara sauce and garlic bread, 'cos it was next door to the potato wedges place but they had a long queue).
Already bumped in to Guy, a Cutwebber who is here with a boat. Chap seems to get everywhere - he was the first person I came across at the IWA fest last year too.
Friday
Highlight: Earl Okin doing Teenage Dirtbag in a Bosa Nova stylee, along with a couple of other snippets. And Show of Hands, who I was watching out for after seeing them at Trowbridge.
Anna Ryder (or whatever bizarre capitalisation she prefers) didn't seem to live up to her reputation, not helped by poor mix on the sound.
Saturday
Richard Digance was absolutely excellent and got a very warm welcome. Tiny Tin Lady sounded great during their sound check although during the set they took a few songs to get warmed up to the same level. Wiith a little more experience - Cropredy must seem a huge crowd to walk in front of - they'll be consistantly great and less nervous I'm sure.
Getting back to the tent
Turn right at Moonbase Alpha:
An early design problem meant that there was no provision for rubbish, leading to the whole place looking like a dump. (I do hope they cleared up before they went home.)
Carry on past a Moonbase Release Candidate:
And continue on past a very early prototype:
Salute the Flag
For beneath it friendly people may be found!
Random Crowd Shots
