my first festival… “Barefoot”

With a last minute check of the internet, it confirmed what I was hoping for… a weekend of sunshine. Exactlly what was needed for a weekend of camping at the Barefoot festival. Not only was it my very first festival, I know I have left it a little late, but I was also going to catching up with friends, playing music and mostly importantly relaxing in the sunshine!

Following the pink feet through town and into the event field I had no idea what to expect, but was fantastically greated with a great roar from Christos, and from that moment it was going to be a great time. After a few attempts of setting up the tent, do the black pole go in the middle or the outside…, we finally got it all sorted, with an inflatable double mattress, glorious, some lasagne passed to us from the ever caring Reema. We were set for the festival experience.

I did manage to forget one thing, shoes…. I spent the whole weekend walking on uneven ground trying not to slip out of my flip flops… but as it was so warm, I don’t think I could have had it any otherway.

With a Sol in hand and some pre cut lime, have to think of everything, we went up to see what was going on. There was country dancing in one tent, a few songs and drumming session round the camp fire. The atmosphere was beautiful. Things were starting to come to a close, so a mad stumbling rush to the car we collected our instruments and started an impromtu batucada show. We all felt so free, everyone was dancing and enjoying the opening night. After a few beers and a few Jim Beam’s I was ready to hit the sack.

Saturday started nice and early, proper energy fueling breakfast, ready to give our nusic workshop. We had too many people in the class, so had half playing drums and the others were led in a collective dance with Christo “our hero”. The cavaco made its live debut too, plugged into an amp, it sung its little heart out. I was very proud of meself. After changing the musicians many times and having a good ole knees up the class came to an end…

I decided to enrol myself in the African dancing workshop. Was great but my knees could only hold for 40 mins, was no wonder the teacher was fit as pancakes. Then later on truely finished off my knees with Maria do Samba’s samba workshop… Back to the tent for food, then slipped in to me whites and ready to support the leicester crew with the capoeira demo. We were opening the evening of entertainment, all of which was very successful. Two bottles of wine later and I wasn’t just ready to hit the sack, I hit the sack.

Sunday arrived with another day of glorious sunshine. I’m starting to get a tan… It’s unheard off, but parts of my body are starting to turn brown… kinda off white, but I like to call it brown. It was the most relaxing day ever, sitting around talking and expriencing. As most of the lesicester crew headed off into town the rest of us got to know each other a little better, shared stories and enjoyed the spirit of barefoot for what I think it stands for.

It was a real shame to leave, but I knew my little puppies at home would go mad if I didn’t return soon, uncle Tucker had done a grand job, but I knew that I would owe them more than the normal amount of cuddles. For my first festival, Barefoot was great, and I am planning to get my butt back there as many times as they decide to run it. Thanks to Louisa and the barefoot team who created this opportunity for everyone to enjoy.

I am no longer a festival virgin… my cherry has been popped