While i`ve got a word head on it seems sensible to get these updates done eh?
Portsmouth is one of our favourite festivals and a great chance to catch up with friends from around the country (and world).
As usual we based ourselves in the Premier Inn by the fun fair as it is a short walk to the festival site and lets face it.. you know what you are going to get :)
As for the festival... the usual great displays in all arenas although it did feel a little "lighter" compared to 2009. Having said that it might just have been down to the winds.
Great to finally meet the legendary Robert Brassington who is... well.... just a legend.
We caught up with all the usual suspects in the traders area and met Dick & Shirleys new pup. The usual craft tent was`nt in evidence although there was a smaller offering. One stand caught our eye nonetheless with some loverly jewellery being made out of various coins from around the world by hand sawing around elements of the designs to ceate some super items. Here is a link to thier website - Coinwear.co.uk.
As the Saturday was my birthday we were in high spirits and ended up with some silly helmets from one of the trade vendors having secured a good deal. They were certainly made an impression... not sure i want to know exactly what though!
Great BBQ at Kieth & Genie's gaff (thanks for the great card!) with plenty of friends. Even had a bit of a night fly with the "neckbreaker" and allegedly managed to cause some confusion with the glowing orbs on the kite tails... heh heh.
Sunday was pretty much more of the same mooching around and a superb meal at Rib Joint not far from the festival site. We will definitley be going back there (if it is still going) next year.
Pictures from the two days are in the August 2010 Gallery on the main site.
Overall the usual great time was had and we will be back providing all is well in 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Better late than never - Bedford Kite Festival 6th June 2010
Ok so this day was a toss up between a few festivals. Having gone to the Ashdon festival last we decided to give the small tree locked and cow poo strewn field a miss tis year and go to Bedford instead.
This choice was mainly based on the list of international fliers that would be there, specifically some fliers from Bali, which, as already noted in my own pages on the web site, i would not be able to pass up.
A relatively straight forward journey brought us to Bedford although the weather was murky with very light winds. We found free parking just next to the kite field and a short stroll brought us to the display arena.
Nice to hear George Webster's dulcit tones doing the commentary and he frequently pointed out to the crowd that this field is not ideal for kites, especially in low winds due to being... tree locked! well.. at least there was no cow poo!
The format for the festival is different from many of the other large popular events. This was based around a constantly changing assortment of kites being flown in all parts of the arena with informative commentary and history through out. There were a few "slots" but nothing like the more rigid displays held elsewhere.
The weather remained a bit iffy throughout the day and the winds light. So much so that a large inflatable ended up being dragged behind a small Toyota from one of the sponsors in an effort to get it airborne.
On the whole we really enjoyed the day despite the low winds as there was plenty of stuff in the air with plenty of it being, new to us. The obilgatory craft tent was actually rather good with a couple of exhibitors doing glass work in front of the crowds. One was making some very nice beads and the other all sorts of glass animals.
Pictures are up in the June 2010 Gallery on the main site so go have a gander
This choice was mainly based on the list of international fliers that would be there, specifically some fliers from Bali, which, as already noted in my own pages on the web site, i would not be able to pass up.
A relatively straight forward journey brought us to Bedford although the weather was murky with very light winds. We found free parking just next to the kite field and a short stroll brought us to the display arena.
Nice to hear George Webster's dulcit tones doing the commentary and he frequently pointed out to the crowd that this field is not ideal for kites, especially in low winds due to being... tree locked! well.. at least there was no cow poo!
The format for the festival is different from many of the other large popular events. This was based around a constantly changing assortment of kites being flown in all parts of the arena with informative commentary and history through out. There were a few "slots" but nothing like the more rigid displays held elsewhere.
The weather remained a bit iffy throughout the day and the winds light. So much so that a large inflatable ended up being dragged behind a small Toyota from one of the sponsors in an effort to get it airborne.
On the whole we really enjoyed the day despite the low winds as there was plenty of stuff in the air with plenty of it being, new to us. The obilgatory craft tent was actually rather good with a couple of exhibitors doing glass work in front of the crowds. One was making some very nice beads and the other all sorts of glass animals.
Pictures are up in the June 2010 Gallery on the main site so go have a gander
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)