h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm looking forward to my weekend (thoughts turn to it at this point of the week).

A friend of mine lives on his dad's farm in rural Lancashire, which has a river running through it. This year, for the second time, he is organising a free festival on it. It's a combination of a music festival (bands in the barn, camping in tents in the field, smelly toilets over the slurry tank) and a village fete (art competitions, duck racing, tractor driving, bouncy castle, kids from the village invited to run around enjoying themselves, a pinata got involved last year).

Another friend of mine has brewed an epic vat of beer, and also some bottles of Elderflower Champagne. Entry's fee, the committee ( a group of my friend, his sister, and another eight friends of them both) funds all this, and doesn't charge for entry, car parking, camping etc. they make their money back by charging small amount for the home brew and the competitions, and by selling local meat and veg to be cooked on the provided barbecues, soft drinks, home printed T-shirts etc. last year they turned a profit of about £10, which they used to buy a half pint of beer each in the local pub.

Last year's was brilliant, and this year's will hopefully be even better. the bands and Djs in the barn are all from either Lancashire, manchester or Eidinburgh (the homes of the committee members).

I just can't wait until 4pm on Friday, to head up to the site and enjoy my weekend.

I'm envious!

Have fun!!

I'm looking forward to mine...

Number 2 gets married on Friday, and proud Dad will be working his way through an awful lot of the apple harvest.

Ah, the most important bit of a wedding- p*ssed up family members.

Back home from the festival now.

Friday night: got there about half past five, set up tent, weather lovely. Not overly keen on most of the night's bands, so sat in the farmyard with home brew and locally produced burgers. (handy on site "shop" relocated from the window in the farmer;'s lounge where it was last year to a shed in the yard). Day was delightful.

Saturday morning, woke up, pissing with rain. Got soaked to the skin just running the 50 yards or so to the barn. Nipped to a local pub for lunch, before returning for the folk music. The folk music in the afternoon was supposed to be in the field, under the oak tree, but was moved into the barn where the evening sets were held due to the rain. There was an acoustic covers band, a popular local folk band called Trouble at Mill, and a Scottish folk singer singing brilliant, beautiful, mournful music. Songs lasting ten minutes, which never really go anywhere but enjoy the ride. I've not described him very well, but listen to the songs on here: http://www.myspace.com/theweerogue and you'll understand.

Raining all the while, the outdoor events (tractor driving, sock wrestling, poetry corner and rubber duck racing) were cancelled. Clay modelling of al ife model went ahead, and much beer was consumed in the sheepshed/bar "The Daley Thompson Memorial Bar", two beers and elderflower champagne which could fell an ox. Lovely but really, really strong. Also, there was a drum kit and two guitars in the bar for musicians to jam with.

There was also face painting, and one of the evening's bands had their faces painted as Kiss.

Still raining, a nice evening session had as it's highlights the crowd-pleasing Jackpot Golden Boys from Preston ( http://profile.myspace.com/index.cf...=user.viewprofile&friendid=13686206 )and Manchester''s Sophie's Pigeons ( http://profile.myspace.com/index.cf...=user.viewprofile&friendid=18254436 ) defy any genre definition. Also, two lambs were cooked all day over a spit and then brought inside to be converted into sandwiches.

It rained on Saturday from 7 am until half past midnight, without a moment's break. The River Wyre which runs through the farm burst it's banks, and nearly claimed a tent and a VW Camper van.

Today, a local whimiscal folk band played, the delayed rubber duck derby and poetry contest were held, and the weather was beautiful. The field with the cars parked in it was so muddy that one campervan had to be pulled out by a tractor.

In total, around fifteen bands played (rock bands, folk bands, indie bands, electro bands, emo bands, metal bands), as well as six DJs (in the smaller dance barn), much food was consumed, and lots of strong home brewed alcohol was consumed. But it's nice to be home and have a bed and a bath rather than a sleeping bag and a river.

It does sound like a lot of fun.

Give us a holler if it's on next year, and I'll make the trip up.

B

I imagine it will be back next year, similar time of year. I'll let you know.

As long as it hits the school holidays, I have few commitments.

B

Trouble At Mill is such a great name for a group on so many levels.

Still envious.

I have found Trouble at Mill on t'internet.

http://www.troubleatmill.btinternet.co.uk/#HEAR_US_PLAY_

best song is "We remember a Lancashire Hero" but the most enjoyable is "Uncle Joe's Medley"

I'll check this out when I can access streaming video.