Big, Dusty, Crowded, Sober Day Out

Man was I exhausted today. I could hardly get out of bed this morning after such a 'Big Day Out'. I didn't have a drink all day, but was so dehydrated from the sun and had so much dust in my lungs I felt like I'd been out on a hard night.

Even though the organisation of the day was barely minimal I still managed to see just about everyone on my list even with the time clashes.

I was very nerdy and organised for the day, printing out the schedule as well as my own personal timetable of events, I texted everyone the time they were to be on the train and I even packed a cut lunch- including mini muffins.

Getting on the train I found even more friends than expected starting with these two,

and then found the Devlins and the Parsons and the Wells', (representatives at least).

The only two bands that I saw the whole sets of were Faker

and Midnight Juggernauts, B and I were right down the front in the 'D' (that must stand for dancing 'cos that's what we were doing a lot of).

We then tried to make a mad dash to see Dizee Rascal but, even though there was heaps of space in there, the gate was so small there was just a jam of people coming in and out through the same 2 foot gate way, so we gave up.

It was then that we found the lush side of the grounds with Spoon at the Green Stage and Billy Bragg at the essentials stage. We dubbed this the Meredith stage 'cos everything was so much greener and laid back. No queues for the toilets or water, no dust and a grassy bar from which you could see the music and on the way in you passed under a giant mister and free iced tea!

Arcade Fire were another highlight except for the fact that the main stage had the worst view of all, then we eventually made it in to the boiler room to catch LCD Sound System and UNKLE.

Trying to get out of there proved nigh on impossible with 40 000 people trying again to squeeze out of a funnel towards the trains. You'd think they may have thought ahead, but there wasn't even anyone with a megaphone yelling directions. Once we got on the train it was the most ridiculously squashed I have ever been on public transport. You weren't even supporting your own body weight. I was convinced if I jumped up my feet wouldn't touch the ground again and I would just be carried by the crowd, but there wasn't even space to jump.

Promed

My 'Summer of Prom' is over with a grand total of two nights clocked up. It would be depressing really if I weren't going to Ecuador in 35 days!

It was very easy to slot into total relaxation mode, especially since there was no set up to be done. My only worry with the tent hopping was that I slept in a tent with my Dad who got gastro, and then in Chris' the next night and he woke up hurling too. I'm hoping I'm just a carrier.

The short stay didn't make it any easier for me to leave, let me tell you.

I forgot the battery for my camera so I have no photos, but I'm hoping some kind souls will let me see theirs.

Tim....Berrrrr!

A massive tree just fell down out the back of my place

and Lena rescued a bird which was flung from it's branches.

The drought had taken it's toll and the roots just cracked off.

It's like a heatwave!

The last week and a half has been a blur of hot, hot, hot weather.

New Years Eve was the hottest of the hot, but luckily we went down to Rosebud so we had a bit of coastal breeze. It was the most perfect couple of days.

We had the fans going full on inside the house the whole time, the shade of the backyard and also the jetty to jump off when it all got too unbearable (or we had just been a little overindulgent the night before).

Everyone had a job when it came to organising food and everyone did exceptionally well. Breakfast, lunch, dinner,

dessert,

punch,cocktails,

platters, midnight snacks, all served up to us as a magnificent spread each time on the ping pong table in the back yard.

I must admit the stuffing of the chicken and the slapping of the beef were a highlight, both of these helped along by Mark's wonderful baking.

The hot weather has continued since then with not much to be done but lying around in front of the fan and swimming every now and then. Back to work for real next week which means I have the luxury of air conditioned comfort, but I miss out on fun in the sun.