Glastonbury 2011 - Diary <<Thoughts>> <<Photos>>
I kept a diary of sorts. This is a transcription.
22 June 2011 - Wednesday
Ruck sac packed, heavy but fine.
Kit bag, very heavy - luggable.
Pole bag, OK but awkward.
£5 cab from Dundrey Crescent to Merstham Station for 14:41 train to London Bridge, then connection to Charing Cross.
Thought that I'd amble to Covent Garden, but found it all too much after crossing the Strand, so another cab to Mum's. Installed at Odham's Walk by 15:50 - now relax.
Confusion - Mum told me she was doing some food but none appeared, so down to the Shakespeare's Head on Southampton Row. Gammon, Egg and Chips sort me out.
Back to the flat, cuppa and a bit of TV and settle down.
Ruck sac packed, heavy but fine.
Kit bag, very heavy - luggable.
Pole bag, OK but awkward.
£5 cab from Dundrey Crescent to Merstham Station for 14:41 train to London Bridge, then connection to Charing Cross.
Thought that I'd amble to Covent Garden, but found it all too much after crossing the Strand, so another cab to Mum's. Installed at Odham's Walk by 15:50 - now relax.
Confusion - Mum told me she was doing some food but none appeared, so down to the Shakespeare's Head on Southampton Row. Gammon, Egg and Chips sort me out.
Back to the flat, cuppa and a bit of TV and settle down.
23 June 2011 - Thursday
Go West, Young Man
Awake 03:30 - wash, dress, cuppa. Walking boots on and out by 04:10.
Very slow plod to the Tattershall Castle, stopping a million times as bags are so bloody heavy. Get to coach departure point by 04:45.
Seven coaches arrive at 05:00, but no sign of #108. It arrives at 05:10 and leave at 05:30 prompt.
ON THE WAY !!
Very heavy rain for last 10 minutes of the journey. Arrive at Worthy Farm Coach Park at 09:40.
Muddy plod to passport control Gate A, so change into wellies.
Ticket shown then wristband on - left hand.
Camp Control just past Gate A tells me to forget about pitching in Woodsies as it is chocker and parts are very muddy.
Walk a few yards and then stopped to do what you can only do at Glastonbury - take in the view, widen your grin and say "Yes, I am actually here at Glastonbury - bring it on !". It is a brilliant feeling.
Settle on a pitch at Pylon Ground, a short distance from the electricity pylon, which is crackling with the rain.
Rain eases a bit, so I get the tent up quick. Bit annoyed that some parts got muddy, but they will wash off.
Pole, Nepalese flag and Rainbow Fish up to mark the site.
Final text messages to the world about my arrival as the sun comes out - Happy Boy.
Tidy tent and take kit and pole bags to Left Luggage where they will hopefully dry out a bit.
Go for first bimble - from Pylon, past John Peel, through Dance Village to the Pyramid. "Long Drop" close to John Peel Stage was not too bad.
Pint of Medium Cider at the Cider Bus (£3-50) and a Hog Roast Roll (£5-50).
Plod around the site some more - past West Holts, Field of Avalon, through Green Futures and see the Dragon and Tipi Field, but somehow miss the Stone Circle.
Back to Pylon Ground via Leftfield, the Other Stage and Dance Village.
Help out some fellow campers to put their tent up and then had a nap in mine.
Everyone seems friendly enough - some are a bit "in your face" and want to let the world know they are going to have a good time regardless of any thing or any one. It all seems fairly non-threatening considering how big a gathering this is.
Had a few chips with cheese and a cuppa and then tried to get to the Bourbon Cafe (or whatever) to catch Sandi Thom. This was a major failure - walking this evening was near impossible due to mud and numbers of punters. By the time I had found the place , it was heaving with crowds outside.
I wrote this off, got back to the tent and turned in.
It seems that generally the mud is drying a little, so fingers crossed for a dry night and Friday.
Very slow plod to the Tattershall Castle, stopping a million times as bags are so bloody heavy. Get to coach departure point by 04:45.
Seven coaches arrive at 05:00, but no sign of #108. It arrives at 05:10 and leave at 05:30 prompt.
ON THE WAY !!
Very heavy rain for last 10 minutes of the journey. Arrive at Worthy Farm Coach Park at 09:40.
Muddy plod to passport control Gate A, so change into wellies.
Ticket shown then wristband on - left hand.
Camp Control just past Gate A tells me to forget about pitching in Woodsies as it is chocker and parts are very muddy.
Walk a few yards and then stopped to do what you can only do at Glastonbury - take in the view, widen your grin and say "Yes, I am actually here at Glastonbury - bring it on !". It is a brilliant feeling.
Settle on a pitch at Pylon Ground, a short distance from the electricity pylon, which is crackling with the rain.
Rain eases a bit, so I get the tent up quick. Bit annoyed that some parts got muddy, but they will wash off.
Pole, Nepalese flag and Rainbow Fish up to mark the site.
Final text messages to the world about my arrival as the sun comes out - Happy Boy.
Tidy tent and take kit and pole bags to Left Luggage where they will hopefully dry out a bit.
Go for first bimble - from Pylon, past John Peel, through Dance Village to the Pyramid. "Long Drop" close to John Peel Stage was not too bad.
Pint of Medium Cider at the Cider Bus (£3-50) and a Hog Roast Roll (£5-50).
Plod around the site some more - past West Holts, Field of Avalon, through Green Futures and see the Dragon and Tipi Field, but somehow miss the Stone Circle.
Back to Pylon Ground via Leftfield, the Other Stage and Dance Village.
Help out some fellow campers to put their tent up and then had a nap in mine.
Everyone seems friendly enough - some are a bit "in your face" and want to let the world know they are going to have a good time regardless of any thing or any one. It all seems fairly non-threatening considering how big a gathering this is.
Had a few chips with cheese and a cuppa and then tried to get to the Bourbon Cafe (or whatever) to catch Sandi Thom. This was a major failure - walking this evening was near impossible due to mud and numbers of punters. By the time I had found the place , it was heaving with crowds outside.
I wrote this off, got back to the tent and turned in.
It seems that generally the mud is drying a little, so fingers crossed for a dry night and Friday.
24 June 2011 - Friday
First day proper.
Slept OK but fitfully. Woke at 06:35 but drifted until 07:35.
Aching, got ready for the day. Strolled to Long Drops near Dance Village / John Peel Stage.
Paths OK, but still churned up and slurried in parts.
Back to cafe tent in Pylon for breakfast - Egg/Bacon bap and cuppa £5.
Chat to an older guy who said he was here 40 years ago at the free one.
He had heard that the weather will break at about 15:00 and there would be rain until midnight. Tomo would be dry and Sunday scorchio !
Sort out waterproofs etc and aim towards the Pyramid and then Other Stage.
Change of plan while passing the John Peel Stage.
A French group, Cocoon are playing, then the Australian band Stonefield (4 sisters, I believe) - both very good.
Too far to Croissant Neuf Big Top, so miss Ed Sheeran and go straight to The Other Stage.
First up The Vaccines and then the Wombats - brilliant. See Bright Eyes from afar while enjoying a chicken wrap (£5-50)
A bit later Fleet Foxes and then Mumford and Sons to finish up.
Caught a few minutes of Melanie's set while passing the Spirit of '71 Stage.
Interesting trip back to the tent.
I was offered (but declined) some "Magic Potion" by a stranger who was struggling to stagger with his partner through the Glade.
I became marooned in the mud, needing assistance from a kind, older lady passer-by. She in turn became marooned herself, but was grateful for some help in return. Parted with a kiss, but subsequently felt some guilt as I had inadvertently sent her the wrong direction for Green Fields.
Having come back via the Dance Village (walking between the West and East Dance Tents which were in full flow), I got back to my tent in Pylon Ground.
I wondered what the music was I could hear pumping in the distance. I checked the programme and found that Fat Boy Slim was playing a set in the Dance Village until 00:30. I had walked straight past the door of the tent where he was playing!
Aching, got ready for the day. Strolled to Long Drops near Dance Village / John Peel Stage.
Paths OK, but still churned up and slurried in parts.
Back to cafe tent in Pylon for breakfast - Egg/Bacon bap and cuppa £5.
Chat to an older guy who said he was here 40 years ago at the free one.
He had heard that the weather will break at about 15:00 and there would be rain until midnight. Tomo would be dry and Sunday scorchio !
Sort out waterproofs etc and aim towards the Pyramid and then Other Stage.
Change of plan while passing the John Peel Stage.
A French group, Cocoon are playing, then the Australian band Stonefield (4 sisters, I believe) - both very good.
Too far to Croissant Neuf Big Top, so miss Ed Sheeran and go straight to The Other Stage.
First up The Vaccines and then the Wombats - brilliant. See Bright Eyes from afar while enjoying a chicken wrap (£5-50)
A bit later Fleet Foxes and then Mumford and Sons to finish up.
Caught a few minutes of Melanie's set while passing the Spirit of '71 Stage.
Interesting trip back to the tent.
I was offered (but declined) some "Magic Potion" by a stranger who was struggling to stagger with his partner through the Glade.
I became marooned in the mud, needing assistance from a kind, older lady passer-by. She in turn became marooned herself, but was grateful for some help in return. Parted with a kiss, but subsequently felt some guilt as I had inadvertently sent her the wrong direction for Green Fields.
Having come back via the Dance Village (walking between the West and East Dance Tents which were in full flow), I got back to my tent in Pylon Ground.
I wondered what the music was I could hear pumping in the distance. I checked the programme and found that Fat Boy Slim was playing a set in the Dance Village until 00:30. I had walked straight past the door of the tent where he was playing!
25 June 2011 - Saturday
WHAT A DAY !!
As always, plans change. Distance between stages becomes an issue - acts you have to see become paramount - even the fact that you can sit down for a while in a hot tent becomes pleasurable compared to battling with the drying clay.
Slept good (again) - weather should be better after 15:00, and just cloudy in the a.m.
Long drops then return to Pylon for breakfast.
Took a long stroll on the Old Railway Track to the Cabaret Marquee.
Queuing politely for the 12:00 start of the Radio 4 show "The Infinite Monkey Cage" with the wonderful Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince. - see a guy walking our way with a guitar case. This turns out to be the great Billy Bragg, who asked if I was having a good time.
After being allowed in, I sat on the coir matting a discreet distance from three of the "Four Poofs and a Piano".
Panellists introduced - Brian Cox, (my now old pal) Billy Bragg, a Chemistry Professor and Shappi Khorsandi (a comedienne) with Robin Ince in the chair.
The issue on debate (as we at Glastonbury) is "Is there a place for Mysticism and Spiritualism in our Rational Society". Very, very interesting. Ended by Billy Bragg singing "The End of The Space Race" - Great. Great. Great.
Over to the Pyramid Stage (lunch a lamb and spinach hot dog £5). Then The Gaslight Anthem. Excellent.
Try to get to Arcadia area to see Ed Sheeran -he had finished by the time I got there. Looked around the Unfair Ground and Arcadia - found it all a bit "out there" for my taste but interesting all the same.
Took in half of the Mark Thomas comedy show, then Jeremy Hardy in the Cabaret Marquee.
Back to the John Peel Stage passing the Pyramid with Paulo Nutini. Very inspiring when you experience the throngs of people. Noah and The Whale in the John Peel Tent - brilliant.
Then back to the Pyramid to see most of Elbow's set and the brilliant Coldplay to finish up for the day.
Genuinely : "One Day Like This A Year Would See Me Right"
Slept good (again) - weather should be better after 15:00, and just cloudy in the a.m.
Long drops then return to Pylon for breakfast.
Took a long stroll on the Old Railway Track to the Cabaret Marquee.
Queuing politely for the 12:00 start of the Radio 4 show "The Infinite Monkey Cage" with the wonderful Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince. - see a guy walking our way with a guitar case. This turns out to be the great Billy Bragg, who asked if I was having a good time.
After being allowed in, I sat on the coir matting a discreet distance from three of the "Four Poofs and a Piano".
Panellists introduced - Brian Cox, (my now old pal) Billy Bragg, a Chemistry Professor and Shappi Khorsandi (a comedienne) with Robin Ince in the chair.
The issue on debate (as we at Glastonbury) is "Is there a place for Mysticism and Spiritualism in our Rational Society". Very, very interesting. Ended by Billy Bragg singing "The End of The Space Race" - Great. Great. Great.
Over to the Pyramid Stage (lunch a lamb and spinach hot dog £5). Then The Gaslight Anthem. Excellent.
Try to get to Arcadia area to see Ed Sheeran -he had finished by the time I got there. Looked around the Unfair Ground and Arcadia - found it all a bit "out there" for my taste but interesting all the same.
Took in half of the Mark Thomas comedy show, then Jeremy Hardy in the Cabaret Marquee.
Back to the John Peel Stage passing the Pyramid with Paulo Nutini. Very inspiring when you experience the throngs of people. Noah and The Whale in the John Peel Tent - brilliant.
Then back to the Pyramid to see most of Elbow's set and the brilliant Coldplay to finish up for the day.
Genuinely : "One Day Like This A Year Would See Me Right"
26 June 2011 - Sunday
The End of It or Last Man Standing
Tried to sleep in but couldn't. Knowing this was going to be a long day, I hit it full on. I had a plan.
I packed my ruck sac and took it up to the Left Luggage Tent.
Retrieved my Tent, Kit and Pole bags - I needed to pack up as the coach should be leaving at 05:30 Monday, so I would be up all night
After breakfast, I broke camp proper - cleared any useless stuff and put it in the rubbish. The tent was dry but would need a wash off when I got back. The trudge up the hill to the Left Property Lockup was hard - very muddy and there were hordes of people doing the same. It was very warm and I was sweating buckets.
A bottle of Coke and another of water with a toasted Cheese and Onion sandwich sorted out brunch/lunch and then off to the Pyramid to hear the end of Don McLean's set (Vincent and American Pie) - the crowd loved him.
I needed more to drink (and guzzled some orange juice and another bottle of water).
Back to the Pyramid to see Laura Marling - she was excellent, but the lass seemed a bit overawed by the size of the stage and kept saying that this was "really amazing and so much fun" but I never saw her show it.
By now I was right up the front and it was time for Paul Simon. Although he was very good, he didn't seem to know what the festival audience wanted and tried his current tour set (which was a bit "cerebral" and traced some blues history). He finally "got it" when the crowd went wild at "You Can Call Me Al". As I say, he was very good, but missed the chance to give us any Simon & Garfunkel stuff.
Moved up towards the Other Stage, thinking I might catch the Kaiser Chiefs, but decided against it as the arena was already rammed for the Eels.
A pint of Cider followed by a Pear Cider and then a Square Pie and Mash for dinner and then amble up towards Leftfield.
Caught a juggling act and a sit down in the Cabaret Tent.
Confused by timings I got to the Leftfield Tent, I saw about half of the set by Raghu Dixit (India Meets Rock 'n Roll - Fabulous) and then the main event of the evening, Bellowhead. Although they only did an hour, it was a really good show.
Billy Bragg joined them to do a Clash number, which apparently is a Leftfield tradition.
Visited the Cabaret Tent again and took in various comedy and variety acts (including comedian Andrew Maxwell) until about midnight and then bimbled up to the Cinema Tent.
A Christian Bale film was showing which I thought would while away a couple of hours, but gave me the bonus of about 90 minutes or so sleeping on the ground on a coir mat.
Stirring at about 03:40, I was asked to leave and bimbled slowly back to civilisation.
Beyonce had headlined at the Pyramid Stage on Sunday and the scene there was one of utter carnage. Massive cold boxes dumped, collections of chairs, empty plastic bottles and cans. It reminded me of images of Armageddon.
While passing the Dance Village once more, I heard some singing and happened upon revellers dancing at the "Silent Disco" listening to the music on headphones. It was quite funny to see and they all had a smile on their faces, having a great time.
A lovely image to leave Glastonbury.
I packed my ruck sac and took it up to the Left Luggage Tent.
Retrieved my Tent, Kit and Pole bags - I needed to pack up as the coach should be leaving at 05:30 Monday, so I would be up all night
After breakfast, I broke camp proper - cleared any useless stuff and put it in the rubbish. The tent was dry but would need a wash off when I got back. The trudge up the hill to the Left Property Lockup was hard - very muddy and there were hordes of people doing the same. It was very warm and I was sweating buckets.
A bottle of Coke and another of water with a toasted Cheese and Onion sandwich sorted out brunch/lunch and then off to the Pyramid to hear the end of Don McLean's set (Vincent and American Pie) - the crowd loved him.
I needed more to drink (and guzzled some orange juice and another bottle of water).
Back to the Pyramid to see Laura Marling - she was excellent, but the lass seemed a bit overawed by the size of the stage and kept saying that this was "really amazing and so much fun" but I never saw her show it.
By now I was right up the front and it was time for Paul Simon. Although he was very good, he didn't seem to know what the festival audience wanted and tried his current tour set (which was a bit "cerebral" and traced some blues history). He finally "got it" when the crowd went wild at "You Can Call Me Al". As I say, he was very good, but missed the chance to give us any Simon & Garfunkel stuff.
Moved up towards the Other Stage, thinking I might catch the Kaiser Chiefs, but decided against it as the arena was already rammed for the Eels.
A pint of Cider followed by a Pear Cider and then a Square Pie and Mash for dinner and then amble up towards Leftfield.
Caught a juggling act and a sit down in the Cabaret Tent.
Confused by timings I got to the Leftfield Tent, I saw about half of the set by Raghu Dixit (India Meets Rock 'n Roll - Fabulous) and then the main event of the evening, Bellowhead. Although they only did an hour, it was a really good show.
Billy Bragg joined them to do a Clash number, which apparently is a Leftfield tradition.
Visited the Cabaret Tent again and took in various comedy and variety acts (including comedian Andrew Maxwell) until about midnight and then bimbled up to the Cinema Tent.
A Christian Bale film was showing which I thought would while away a couple of hours, but gave me the bonus of about 90 minutes or so sleeping on the ground on a coir mat.
Stirring at about 03:40, I was asked to leave and bimbled slowly back to civilisation.
Beyonce had headlined at the Pyramid Stage on Sunday and the scene there was one of utter carnage. Massive cold boxes dumped, collections of chairs, empty plastic bottles and cans. It reminded me of images of Armageddon.
While passing the Dance Village once more, I heard some singing and happened upon revellers dancing at the "Silent Disco" listening to the music on headphones. It was quite funny to see and they all had a smile on their faces, having a great time.
A lovely image to leave Glastonbury.
27 June 2011 - Monday
Coach return
After picking up my ruck sac and various bags, I got to the coach park and waited for my coach. Depending on who I spoke to (SeeTickets via the phone or face to face) I had been told the bus would be at 05:30 or 11:30.
I got to the coach park at 05:10 and driver confirmed my worst fear - there were no buses until 07:30 and I should have been there at 11:30.
After a bit of mild badgering, the driver had a couple of spare seats and bumped me up to Coach #1, which left at 07:30.
Happy Days !!
I got to the coach park at 05:10 and driver confirmed my worst fear - there were no buses until 07:30 and I should have been there at 11:30.
After a bit of mild badgering, the driver had a couple of spare seats and bumped me up to Coach #1, which left at 07:30.
Happy Days !!
7 July 2011 - 10 days on
Epilogue and aftermath
So, what am I feeling about the "magical" weekend now I am back in "reality" ?
It was great. So much better than I even hoped.
Apart from the performances - The Mumfords, Bellowhead, Noah and the Whale, The Vaccines, Coldplay were superb - I can't remember a bad performance at all - my memory is of the crowd, having a great time. In the main, they were a whole colony of bodies content to be at Worthy Farm.
Only a couple of individuals annoyed me even slightly - mainly just for pushing through an already crowded space.
No one is was critical or judgemental -
"Are you seeing U2 tonight?"
"No"
"Who are you going to see then?"
There is no pleading "You HAVE to...", only a seemingly genuine interest as to which stage / act you are aiming to see.
If you help anybody out or even offer assistance, give someone a smile or any other normal decent human interaction, you will greeted with a smile, high five or friendly kiss.
This is a wonderful thing, indeed.
Glastonbury is brilliant - go if you want to - make the effort if you think you might like it - there is so much to see and experience.
It is great to spend time not being bombarded with massive Corporate Advertising for a telecom company or brewery.
It is a treat and even refreshing to look around the site and just see adverts for WaterAid, Greenpeace and Oxfam.
If the toilet thing bothers you, you need to get over it - the numbers in honesty do not add up, too many people, too few toilets but I found the Long Drops bearable and they had seemed to have reasonable queues. To be blunt, they are airy and you wouldn't want to hang around them for longer than you have to - but surely this is better than a massive queue for a plastic stinking "turdis". In any case, if you can stand a walk there are alternatives within the site.
In short, I would love to go to Glastonbury again, if I can get a ticket.
Worthy Farm is a truly magical place during the festival time.
It was great. So much better than I even hoped.
Apart from the performances - The Mumfords, Bellowhead, Noah and the Whale, The Vaccines, Coldplay were superb - I can't remember a bad performance at all - my memory is of the crowd, having a great time. In the main, they were a whole colony of bodies content to be at Worthy Farm.
Only a couple of individuals annoyed me even slightly - mainly just for pushing through an already crowded space.
No one is was critical or judgemental -
"Are you seeing U2 tonight?"
"No"
"Who are you going to see then?"
There is no pleading "You HAVE to...", only a seemingly genuine interest as to which stage / act you are aiming to see.
If you help anybody out or even offer assistance, give someone a smile or any other normal decent human interaction, you will greeted with a smile, high five or friendly kiss.
This is a wonderful thing, indeed.
Glastonbury is brilliant - go if you want to - make the effort if you think you might like it - there is so much to see and experience.
It is great to spend time not being bombarded with massive Corporate Advertising for a telecom company or brewery.
It is a treat and even refreshing to look around the site and just see adverts for WaterAid, Greenpeace and Oxfam.
If the toilet thing bothers you, you need to get over it - the numbers in honesty do not add up, too many people, too few toilets but I found the Long Drops bearable and they had seemed to have reasonable queues. To be blunt, they are airy and you wouldn't want to hang around them for longer than you have to - but surely this is better than a massive queue for a plastic stinking "turdis". In any case, if you can stand a walk there are alternatives within the site.
In short, I would love to go to Glastonbury again, if I can get a ticket.
Worthy Farm is a truly magical place during the festival time.
Note regarding the pictures:
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(16 January 2015)
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(16 January 2015)