bestival!

After more than 24 hours in bed, some cookies, a movie, a jacket potato and X Factor, my festival recovery is finally complete, and I can get around to posting about my wonderful time at Bestival :) WARNING: contains lots of writing, glitter and photos.

THURSDAY: Hell. Approximately 6 or 7 hours in the car (getting from the ferry port to the Bestival site took 3 hours, because of barely moving traffic. Kayley and I went a bit mad and started making some interesting noises..) arriving to mist and drizzle, the heaviest and largest tent in the world, and some rude people caused us to be on the brink of a nervous breakdown.

Luckily, I happen to have the best boyfriend in the world. He was working in the Bagel Dude van, and not only did he wait in the drizzle to bring us bagels, help us carry our stuff and help put the tent up, but when all that failed and we thought we were going to be homeless at the festival, he stepped in and asked his boss if we could all stay with them behind the bagel van. He is my hero, completely.

This all worked out perfectly, as not only did I get to stay with Elliott, but Kayley got to sleep in the tent with our friend Chloé and we got to spend loads of time with both of them! We had electricity, showers, free bagels, and lots of good company!

After we'd got settled and had a couple of drinks, we head off to watch Santigold. She was bloody amazing and had a robot man dancing on stage with her. I can't remember what we did after that, but I think we might've gone back to the camp as we were so tired.

FRIDAY: Kayley and I went off to explore. I wore a yellow polka dot dress and a big daisy in my hair, and the sun came out. We had a cup of tea and watched a band called Yuck until Elliott finished work and came to meet us, then we explored the whole site, danced to Kitty, Daisy and Lewis (who were amazing again) and got Sailor Jerry transfer tattoos.

We went back to the camp, probably ate some bagels and got glittered and drunk. We watched Chromeo (although I don't remember) and then went dancing in the Black Dahlia tent, where they played lots of 1940s and 50s music. I swing danced with an asian man and it was so fun. We were so drunk and silly, I loved it.

We got back to the camp about 11pm and Kayley trotted off to bed, while I sat on the step of the bagel van talking to Elliott. I was so drunk I couldn't stand up, and thought it would be a great idea to go and talk to his boss and co-worker in the trailer for hours. God knows what we were talking about, but I remember it being great. Elliott finished work at 3am, we didn't go to sleep until 5am...

Elliott found a four-leaf clover :) ♥

A fun tent!

The main stage and the lovely grass which turned to mud.

Lots of people and the Big Top.

Beautiful bed seats!

Kayley's Sailor Jerry anchor and real swallow tattoos.

Drunk and glittered up :)

WHEEEEEEEE!

SATURDAY: Surprisingly, I didn't feel too chipper when I woke up. Despite this, we got up and wandered over to main stage (stopping at the I ♥ Sausage stand on the way, for a much needed tea and sausage) to watch Toots & The Maytals. About 3 minutes in, the heavens opened, and we decided to go back to the camp, getting a sexy poncho for Kayley on the way.

Naps and chats were had, and then it was time to get our glitter and drink on again. We got to the arena just in time to see The Cure, who were AMAZING and a band I never thought I'd get to see. I called Bee because I knew how much she loved them, and I wanted her to hear them live.

We didn't watch the entire set as I really wanted to catch some of Willy Mason too. He was just as brilliant as I thought he'd be, and I'd love to see him again. I drunkenly called my Dad twice, as I know he likes him.

By this point someone was a little worse for wear (Kayley) and I had to walk her back to near the entrance before going to find Elliott and Chloé. We had a few drinks and wandered into the Come Dancing tent where an Indian band were playing, and some of the musicians were playing in the crowd. The decor was incredible, but I only have a blurry photo to show for it. It really didn't feel like we were in a tent! We went back to the Black Dahlia tent for more dancing (without shoes on - my feet were black afterwards!) and then wandered home.

Kayley in her sexy poncho.

The Swamp Shack.

Chloé drunk driving me somewhere in a magical bus.

Band man in the crowd. I love his jacket!

The Come Dancing Spiegel Tent.

Me, Elliott and Chloé... all sliiiightly drunk maybe.

Me and some chump ♥

My fun hair!

SUNDAY: By now, the grass had turned into a swamp, and walking was very tricky! I'd also forgotten I had a camera. We managed to slide over to the main stage and watch The Drums, who I absolutely love. My band of the summer I reckon. I just wish the sun had come out for them! We got some amazing fish and chips, caught a bit of The Midnight Beast, and then watched Kelis. I didn't like most of her set (newer songs) but loved that she finished with songs like Milkshake and Millionaire. We also watched a man try to wee in a bottle, and our friends Mel and Sarah found us thanks to my bright bit of hair!

We headed back to the tent and snuggled into blankets and sleeping bags outside, as it had gotten really cold! The tiredness caught up with me, and although we were planning on heading back to the arena to see some more music, we retired to our tents instead. We killed a bit of time, packed up our stuff and headed back to the car, saying sad goodbyes to Elliott as I won't see him for 3 weeks as he's going on tour :(

The journey back to the port took 20 minutes, rather than 3 hours, and we managed to get on an earlier ferry. I was gutted not to be seeing Björk, but the ferry was so much cheaper that evening. I saw Martin Harley on the ferry, who I've met a few times, but I was too zapped of energy to talk to him.

Having a shower and getting into a bed that night felt like heaven! We stayed at my friend Will's house in Southampton, and drove back yesterday! Phew!

Basically, my point is, GO TO BESTIVAL. It is the best of all, and it's worth the money, traffic jams and near mental breakdowns :)

NB: I've probably forgotten some things due to tiredness and alcohol. All bands, tents, businesses etc are linked! So click them!