Latitude Festival - a (long) weekend of fun

Got sorted on the Wednesday night and up early and John & Pauline's by about 6.15am on Thursday morning and off we went. I wasn't officially off for the next two days so was on standby mode throughout but thankfully work isn't busy at the minute so "spoiler alert" I wasn't needed and was able to be relaxed the whole time.

We stopped around 8.45am at a MacDonald's and I conducted my morning meeting from there which was fine and decent internet. Got to the Henham Park location in the next hour and queued up and was given a decent space to set up which we made the most of and spread out well - it was perfect. 

So many VW campervans on show - it was like a convention. But then I think the type of event and demographic of those attending it's the sort of people that could afford these vans.

We got sorted pretty quickly and then went for a wander to see what was about - it was a big location - and we were the farthest away! It was also very busy even this early in the process - obviously over the weekend it really filled out, especially the camping area.

We were allowed into the main area to get a feel for things and did so, no music was on but the shops and bars/food stalls were all up and running and it looked decent - I think it's the biggest one we've now been to as it eclipsed Rewind.

So the weekend became a routine of breakfast, walking, drinking and listening to music and comedy. Some big acts were there and it was just great fun, weather was very hot too which obviously helped.

We didn't push ourselves to the front at many things, which was a bit of a shame as I felt we weren't in amongst all the main atmosphere but we stuck together and it was fine. 

A highlight was Mark Simmonds in the comedy tent, I'd seen clips of him on Social Media and he didn't disappoint, very sharp and quick witted with the one-liners - I loved that and so did John and Pauline. Highlights with the music were Rick Astley, Keane, Seasick Steve, Nile Rogers and Chic and of course Duran Duran who headlined on Sunday night and were absolutely brilliant - loved them. We'd even stopped drinking then so as to not need to go to the toilets and lose our spaces! Yes, it was that busy!

Disco Shed was there of course and you could also go into the woods and there were DJ sets in there.

We also managed to go into Southwold - there was a dedicated bus laid on in which we jumped on and had a walk along the sea front and ice cream on the pier - mum and family go there once a year so it was nice to see what the fuss is all about. It's a very nice seaside town actually, not at all tacky. We had a pint in the Nelson which is where they go all the time and then back to the festival - so easy.

We came back on the Monday, I did have that day off as proper holiday but it all worked out really well - long drive, about 4 hours including a brief stop for food.

We all really enjoyed it, I'd definitely be happy to go back to that one again if we decide to do a festival next year - we shall see  

Run Club Attended

So I agreed to join the run club this evening. We were late of course so missed the warm up and then ran 5mins/walked 1min. I found it tough going, but it forced me out and sees me get time and distance under my belt so can’t complain. 

Off to Latitude Festival tomorrow bright and early (6.15am) hopefully. Still sat in Bicester car park waiting for Tash to finish watching a physio presentation, but oissed off actually as I have a ton of things to do when I get home. 

Anyway, glad I did the run so hopefully build in that, but I’ve got a VERY long way to go yet!

Standlake Day 3

Okay nights sleep and then up and at em around 7.30am, by that I mean we had a coffee and relaxed listening to music and reading online. Although internet is really sketchy!

Packed up our belongings and sorted the van out quickly, such a convenience having it compared to having a tent. I don’t miss that at all!!

Went and saw Nik and Gaz and had a coffee and then made our farewells and got going home

We knew we had a busy day ahead and that was exactly what happened - we then spent about 4 hours getting everything back into the house now that the flooring was all sorted.

Charlotte and Miles arrived literally as we just finished and they then helped get the piano back - but even with the extra hands and prep we still managed to mark the floor which pissed me off a little bit.

Anyway, all done, so we had some drink and I cooked a BBQ and mum also came round so it was a nice evening.

When mum left we watched some TV and I suggested Stewart Lee - it didn't go down as well as I hoped and everyone made their excuses and went to bed then!

A good weekend - really enjoyed it.

Standlake Day 2

Weird night's sleep, hot and bursting for a wee from about 2.30am, finally gave in at 7.30am!! Not good weather sadly, overcast and drizzly which is a shame.

Got the kettle on the go and relaxed listening to music and fighting for internet! My solar battery died, I might get rid of that. Load of shit!

It’s Olivia’s first birthday today so all their side of the family are coming over around midday. Hope it brightens up as we’ve got the canoe ready to inflate.

Wandered over to Gaz and Nikki’s caravan and had sausage and bacon sandwiches which was nice and gradually family started arriving, they all turned up which was lovely.

I went and pumped up the canoe, that was quick and easy, and then we took it to the lake side and just me with Theo and Ralph went in and had a paddle about.

No one else used it when we brought it back but it was a bit of fun for them. The weather was overcast which was a massive difference compared to yesterday but it was okay I guess.

We went to the hot house for food and drink and it was a nice atmosphere and everyone just sat and chatted. Olivia was spoilt with tons of presents as you’d imagine and she enjoyed her cake! Gradually people made their way home, and Gareth and Danny had gone off to watch the Grand Prix qualifying (which I wasn’t invited to!) so I made my excuses and had an hours snooze in the van which was nice.

Had a couple of gins waiting for Tash to come back and deflated the canoe and such stuff but still no Tash so I went back to the pub and they’d gone back to the caravan. But weird she didn’t come and get me, but miffed about that.

Danny and Vics left after about an hour and we then had dinner in the caravan. Lovely steaks that we had provided. Lots of chat and didn’t get to play crib in the end but it was a lovely and enjoyable evening.

Back to Vinnie and crashed out quickly.

A good and memorable day.

Friday 19th July Standlake. Day 1

Looking forward to a nice chilled weekend at Standlake with Nikki and Gareth that started today. Busy day at work and then got over here about 5.00pm

The temperature is 30 degrees, very hot and soaking wet from sweat, but not going to complain as we’ve not had much sunshine to enjoy

Sorted the pitch and van out quickly enough, down by the stream this year and then spent the afternoon and night at their caravan chatting and catching up. I’d not eaten all day so the beers were going right to my head which I was enjoying and welcomed the fuzziness of drunkenness with open arms!

Sorted out Airbnb when internet allowed. Looks like we’ve got a regular lined up which is good for earnings! Shan’t complain about getting booked up so far in advance!

Lovely chilli for dinner and then played Scrabble, Gaz won quite comfortably and Tash and I drew. That was fun to test ourselves! Night finished about 10.45pm.

Got our bed etc sorted with usual military precision and snuggled down. Tash felt a bit funny and blamed the cheese!! Yeah right.

Golf and Euro Cup Final in Manchester

Busy weeekend!

After nothing but jobs on Saturday it was time to get some gold in on Sunday

This weekend it was the Pete King Trophy and Captains Day with loads of the club members all playing.

I was with Julio and Flanners and we tee'd off at 8.30amand it was an incredibly sunny day, so lovely. Julio was off to a flying start and played really well, I thought I was less so but as we finished the round I'd realised I'd hit my lowest round (89) and when they calculated my points it was 40 meaning I was in with a decent shout of actually winning!

After some waiting whilst it was all worked out with the other cards I found out I came second, the winner had 41 points - ah well. Got some balls and a £30 voucher to go with my £10 voucher from last month, but crucially for me was beating 90 shots barrier - chuffed to bits with that. 

Once that was all out of the way I got home as quickly as possible, even though the bridge into Wolvercote was closed because of a gas leak, quick shower and we were then on the road to Manchester! Quick detour to Bicester and dropped Bess off. Decent run up the M6 and then into the Salford Quays area, they're working on doing it up and have made a decent job on it to be fair

We parked up and then met Jodie and Jack for food and a drink, Noah turned up and then Lewis and Emily who were celebrating their 4th anniversary. Had nice street food and a beer and then went into the bar to watch the football, we didn't have seats but it was fine, I was happy standing. It got busy and there was live music and I did have a few pints!

This was the final of the Euros and we were playing Spain, they were favourites, they've been the best team, but we have talent so were not just going to turn up and roll over. Interesting game but we were so negative and defensive, went a goal down but equalised and the place erupted, it was so good to experience that.

But we sat back and tried to see out a draw but conceded the winner in the 96th minute - very disappointing. Hardly heart-breaking but very frustrating that we didn't play better or more expansive football - it felt the team and players were being shackled and held back.

So that was that!

Finished our drinks and went back to Lewis and Emily's (just me and Tash) and got to bed around midnight after some nibbles.

It was good that we came up here, Tash is a bit down and concerned about her health at the minute so she wanted some time with her boys - not referring to me!

Weekend diary entry

Saturday

Tash went off to yoga in the morning and I just did jobs as I wanted to get sorted out. Lewis and Emily made the most of having a lie in. We then had nice scrambled egg with smoked salmon, which Lewis seems to always enjoy making before we then went out to Charlotte to collect Lewis's car and Natasha went off to the baby shower for Victoria at the Jolly Boatman pub.

Lewis, Emily and I went off to Blenheim Palace and wandered around the grounds, showing them where Charlotte works and things like that. The weather was very hot again and we had a nice ice cream treat from Lewis and then lots of walking, we went to the victory column which I don’t think I’ve done before.

We parked quite a way away, so I offered to go and get the car whilst Lewis and Emily could wander around Woodstock and take in some of the sites and shops that are there, which I think Emily appreciated as she’s had enough of walking, I might be wrong!

The baby shower finished around the same time, and we all got back to Wolvercote at the same time and receded to have some drinks and nibbles and I got the pizza oven on the gate go

Had a bit of a nightmare, because at one point, Zoe crunched down on a snail that had obviously got into the oven And had died once I sent it off and falling in her pizza. I feel terrible.

Had a few drinks and then jumped in the hot tub.

Beers were flowing and it was so nice they stayed as long as they did, they left at 8.30pm which was great.

I then watched the champions league final between Man City and Inter Milan but it wasn’t very good at all and the coverage on BT sport was appalling. Man City won which is nice for them. I didn’t care either way, the football on show and the cheating wasn’t much fun.

Carried on drinking and then got the Shisha pipe out and Tash and I just relaxed in the warm night air until after midnight. Such a great day.

Sunday

Woke up with a bit of a heavy head, but nothing too serious or concerning so got ready and went to golf for 8:30 am. Today there was myself, Wayne, Paul and Robbie Baressi. It was a slow start, but my rounds got better and better as I went along and by the end of the day I scored my best ever round of 91, which is 23 over par, Wayne hit 90 and was really pissed off and yet I hit 91 and was absolutely delighted.

My round included three pars and one birdie so not bad at all.

The weather was absolutely boiling hot, the Sun beating down, and you can smell the grass, being scorched earth that herself, didn’t put us off, and I went home to leave straight away so that we could go punting on the river.

Zoe, Liam and Georgia met us down at the college, and both Georgia and Liam had never been punting before, so that was nice to take them out and they enjoyed it but neither of them wanted to have a go but that was fine although it was bloody hot work.

When we finished Natasha and I went back to our house to sort Bessie out and I had a quick snooze for an hour before we then went over to Zoe‘s for some food which was nice and she enjoying enjoyed entertaining us.

After Zoe's we went back home and sorted things out ahead of the weekend and tidied the house et cetera and I did loads of searching on the Internet for a new golf club because my three wood snapped earlier in the day. Had quite an early night as we were both tired, but it’s been such a lovely long weekend, really enjoyed it.

Manchester Marathon

So..it was mentioned on the family Whatsapp group that Jack had signed up for the Manchest Marathon in April 2025...did we want to sign up? Tash and I agreed immediately and then Lewis and Charlotte followed suit. Even John and Pauline Bampton have also agreed to it. 

So I need to get into training because even though it’s not until April 2025 it will soon come around and it’s obviously going to be very challenging. 

I hope I don’t come to regret say yes, but it’s good to have something in the pipeline to aim for. 

Will see how the training goes. I went out for a run on the same day but haven’t done since, and that was 2 weeks ago!!

England and Euro 2024

England have reached another final, they’ve done well under Gareth Southgate even if the football itself has been dull and uninspiring

They’ve made the most of a favourable draw and on Wednesday they beat the Netherlands 2-1 with a first half performance that was more entertaining and what supporters want. 

It was our 31st wedding anniversary so we’d been out for a meal earlier and then watched the match in the White Hart, it was a good atmosphere but reminded me why I don’t like watching with other people as you had this fat idiot shouting “YELLOWS!!” every now and then. Mad. 

So it’s the final on Sunday and Tash is a bit emotional at the minute so wants to see the boys meaning we will travel up after my golf day so won’t get there until about 5.00pm. It’s also Lewis and Emily’s 4th anniversary! Time flies.