Solfest 2006

So we arrived on the Friday afternoon, to find that the rest of the world had got there before us, and claimed their camping plots. We settled on an patch near the top of a hill, which made us able to hoist our pirate flag with pride above the tent, and also gave us fantastic views south-east towards Skiddaw and the Lakeland Fells, and north across the Solway to Criffel.

After setting up, we went for a wander around the site to see what was on offer... stalls and shops and freaks (yay for freaks!). Lots of lovely food stalls to sample - our frequent favourites were the Mexican Burrito stall and Stoat's Porridge (open daily from dawn until after 11 with the same 3 staff!). There was an artificial stone circle, a pair of huge wicker people, an enormous wooden twirly thing, and some wonderful kites flown above the Tarn nearby, a giant gecko, a squid, a diver... Some wonderful photos of the kites here

On Saturday we were joined on the campsite by M&M, who brought a tiny red throw-up tent. It was also themed as "Pirates and Faeries" night (not sure of the difference between a faerie and a fairy) ... B, M and M were pirates complete with black facepaint facial furniture. I was a fairy but had no wings (who says fairies have wings anyway?) but I had multi-coloured facepaints and assorted glowsticks. In fact, we all had lots of glowsticks thanks to my bulk eBay purchase!

The trick with the toilets was to not expect too much, so we didn't and they were mostly OK. I only "opted out" twice! The weather held off in the most part, it got a bit windy on the Saturday night but we learned later that we completely escaped a huge nearby downpour on Sunday night which took place when the Proclaimers were onset - indicated to us only by quite cool pink lightning behind the main stage!

Gallery:

Spotted early Saturday morning on our way to the porridge stall, a Pirate in Pyjamas getting into the spirit (or possibly still in spirit from the night before):


My fairy outfit:


Fairy on a Scooter:


Fluffy Friends: Sals, KC and Beardy:


The man from Radio Cumbria in his fairy outfit:


Why? Dunno but it made a good photo:


Pink Stilt Person:


Mad, annoying Story-telling Woman:


Oh yeah and the moosic....
Main mentions go to Nick Harper and Seth Lakeman who did not disappoint, in fact were both fantastic. Special mention to Selector of whom I had no prior expectation, but I enjoyed a lot. I was a bit disappointed with The Proclaimers, who proved they can do their set in their sleep now, and made a far-too-sharp exit which left us quite frankly feeling a bit unloved.

The fabulous Nick Harper:


Seth Lakeman in action:


Croft 5, with bubbles:


The Proclaimers:


Links:

Solfest

The Selecter

Nick Harper

The Proclaimers

Seth Lakeman

My Seth Lakeman snippet on YouTube

Croft 5

Stoats Porridge