Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 22:25:58 GMT
Having dilly dallied about applying for camping at Swindon, yes the upfront paying of camping fees significantly put me off booking, that combined with being without a computer and the atrocious weather predictions, I decided to give the festival a miss for this year.
Saturday morning was blustery and overcast, but dry now after the overnight rain, and as the sun was peering out I contemplated my solitary situation and the boring day ahead, at home, while others were at Swindon playing out. Rumours abounded about this being the last Swindon Kite Festival as it was loosing money year after year, and I decided that at very least I could attend for the day and add my microscopic support, and kite to the display. Having spent two weeks at Sumners only recently, I had more than my quota of self indulgent kite flying, and Kite Festivals really are something special on our calendars that require support for them to continue and the atmosphere at festivals is quite unique and as much a social occasion as just kites flying.
I did feel that by the evening I would regret my decision not to go, and so made up my mind to make the effort ‘just for the day’, and take a small tent, thus keeping the option to stay overnight open! A couple of kites, sleeping bag, pillow and Bombay Bad Boy completed my impromptu preparations, even finding and packing those few items meant it was 14.30 before I left Gatwick! 100miles and two hours later arrived at Lydiard Park and glad I made the effort as I put my kite up, the White Horse kiters are really an amicable, welcoming bunch.
OK, I admit that the biggest ‘draw’ for me at Swindon, is the auction, and that Flaming Phil Scarf’s usual Flaming special kite he puts in is always worth having a punt at. This time it was a FLAMING 56ft OCTAPUS!!!! I went overboard on the Raffle tickets and although I did win (he,he,he!) a substantial sports kite, a pair of dynema lines and handles from the USA, a pair of wooden stamping blocks, scented bath and shower kit and a large hand made CHOCOLATE cake….I was disappointed (should be used to it by now?) in not winning that FLAMING octopus. However, as explained the next day by Phil, IF I had read what he had written on the bag …it was ‘red flames on a red background’ … meaning a RED octopus, that made me feel better !!
The already ridiculed camping arrangements I chose to put myself through wasn’t that bad! KiteKrazy kindly offered me a bed in his caravan, thanks buddy, but I chose to test my resolve and boy scout like, put up with my minimalist camping arrangements! No mattress, wet pillow and sleeping bag, and a puddle at the bottom of the tent accompanied by the howling wind and driving rain was an experience! Having had several teas and concocted pot noodles that Derek K invited me to in his camper was my saving grace, and his breakfast toast and more tea was more than enough for this Boy Scout, thanks Derek.
Sundays weather was WINDY and dry, plenty of sunshine but very few kites up due to the gusty conditions, what a shame, but the bad weather forecast not only kept some kiters away, the public must also have stayed at home as there were less than last year and those that did come were blown away, not by the kite displays although the arena was kept ticking all day by two liners doing their thing and the Parson Brothers who really did a great job with ground displays and Teddy Bear dropping in very difficult winds.
All in all very enjoyable, lets hope next years event will not get the chop.
Saturday morning was blustery and overcast, but dry now after the overnight rain, and as the sun was peering out I contemplated my solitary situation and the boring day ahead, at home, while others were at Swindon playing out. Rumours abounded about this being the last Swindon Kite Festival as it was loosing money year after year, and I decided that at very least I could attend for the day and add my microscopic support, and kite to the display. Having spent two weeks at Sumners only recently, I had more than my quota of self indulgent kite flying, and Kite Festivals really are something special on our calendars that require support for them to continue and the atmosphere at festivals is quite unique and as much a social occasion as just kites flying.
I did feel that by the evening I would regret my decision not to go, and so made up my mind to make the effort ‘just for the day’, and take a small tent, thus keeping the option to stay overnight open! A couple of kites, sleeping bag, pillow and Bombay Bad Boy completed my impromptu preparations, even finding and packing those few items meant it was 14.30 before I left Gatwick! 100miles and two hours later arrived at Lydiard Park and glad I made the effort as I put my kite up, the White Horse kiters are really an amicable, welcoming bunch.
OK, I admit that the biggest ‘draw’ for me at Swindon, is the auction, and that Flaming Phil Scarf’s usual Flaming special kite he puts in is always worth having a punt at. This time it was a FLAMING 56ft OCTAPUS!!!! I went overboard on the Raffle tickets and although I did win (he,he,he!) a substantial sports kite, a pair of dynema lines and handles from the USA, a pair of wooden stamping blocks, scented bath and shower kit and a large hand made CHOCOLATE cake….I was disappointed (should be used to it by now?) in not winning that FLAMING octopus. However, as explained the next day by Phil, IF I had read what he had written on the bag …it was ‘red flames on a red background’ … meaning a RED octopus, that made me feel better !!
The already ridiculed camping arrangements I chose to put myself through wasn’t that bad! KiteKrazy kindly offered me a bed in his caravan, thanks buddy, but I chose to test my resolve and boy scout like, put up with my minimalist camping arrangements! No mattress, wet pillow and sleeping bag, and a puddle at the bottom of the tent accompanied by the howling wind and driving rain was an experience! Having had several teas and concocted pot noodles that Derek K invited me to in his camper was my saving grace, and his breakfast toast and more tea was more than enough for this Boy Scout, thanks Derek.
Sundays weather was WINDY and dry, plenty of sunshine but very few kites up due to the gusty conditions, what a shame, but the bad weather forecast not only kept some kiters away, the public must also have stayed at home as there were less than last year and those that did come were blown away, not by the kite displays although the arena was kept ticking all day by two liners doing their thing and the Parson Brothers who really did a great job with ground displays and Teddy Bear dropping in very difficult winds.
All in all very enjoyable, lets hope next years event will not get the chop.
