spots are everywhere on final day of Beautiful Days

A lovely sunny morning, and we were straight out to play with all the other children under the trees; and a crowd gathered again for Tai Chi. Fancy dress day and spots were everywhere, wellies, dresses, tights, there were ladybirds galore (including our little one); people dressed in spotty duvets, twister mats, some dominoes, lots of fabulous 50s rockabilly dresses and a couple of cows and dalmations.

It was a bit too hot to put on a fancy dress outfit so we saved ours for later and went over to the Big Top to watch The Fabulous Good Time Party Boys who had gone all out for fancy dress day. At one point we counted 17 people on the stage; with a frog on flute, banana on drums, parrot on trumpet, monkey on bass guitar and a young man in just a loin cloth singing (ooh er), which was nice for a Sunday lunchtime. Rev Hammer, just recognisable in black and white face paint joined them. A lady in a zebra costume and a man in a biker outfit sang 'Crazy Asses' and 'Wild Thing' while a man in an army redcoat uniform energetically shook his maracas. Biker dude (introduced as 'Mr California') came on to the stage for the next song on a mini motorbike and launched into 'Born To Be Wild'.

We left them to their entertaining set and went out to enjoy the sunshine and see what was going on in the Children's area. Wicker basket making was still going on, 'Play With Clay' next door, and knitting and crochet in the next tent. The craft tent was offering sessions to make fairy wings, LED lanterns, bottle rockets and to come and 'spotify' yourself later.

Punch & Judy outside in the sun attracted quite a crowd of young children and some eager participating adults; proper Punch & Judy too with Punch being hit by Judy with a rather large stick. There were quite a few enthusiastic choruses of 'Boo' and 'Oh no you didn't!' We stopped in another play area for a bit of shade which had a large black van with chalk and paints for the children to draw all over and really express themselves; puzzles, wooden blocks, hula hoops, a long net tunnel and face painting going on (specialising in spots today); and mostly in the shade so we spent quite a while in there before heading back to the Big Top area for more ice-cream.

As our little one tucked into some local dairy ice-cream, and subsequently fell asleep in it due to all the activity and the heat, the procession came through, lead by the plastic drumming troupe, children's workshop crafts, cheerleaders and then the samba drumming group, and they hung around to give us a good drumming display.

We had to sit outside the Big Top as it just got far too hot to sit inside, with ice cold cider listening to the folk sounds of Rory McLeod and James Yorkston, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and spotting (ha ha) all the fancy dress costumes. We also sampled some fantastic Momos from the Tibetan Kitchen. We were hoping to be able to hear the show from Tim Minchin from outside but alas no, with heavy sides to the tent and so many people crammed in, all we could hear was the raucous laughter. It would be great if the sides could be taken off the tent so the outside audience can hear, and see, too.

After the departing crowds from Minchin's packed performance faded, we went back to our base and dressed in our evening attire; finally donned in spots, and fed and watered, we walked back into the festival, past the Dirty Davey Stage who were hosting Rockabilly Band, Houndogs.

The main arena was already packed, with everyone enjoying the last of the music, and we just caught the end of Flogging Molly. With the sun going down, the air was cooling and everyone was buzzing in anticipation for the Levellers grand finale. This year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album that brought our hosts to everyone's attention, second album 'Levelling The Land' as played in full, with an intermission of some lesser played songs and additions of crowd pleasers 'Carry Me' and 'Beautiful Day'. The most spectacular fireworks followed, and kept going long after the stage emptied. Our toddler had been determined to stay up for the fireworks and absolutely loved them. It took a while to get back to the campsite due to the number of people heading back to tents and cars, but many did stay to enjoy the last of the late night music and hang on to the Beautiful Days atmosphere for as long as possible.

Beautiful Days is a firm favourite with us, worth the 4 hours drive for a fantastic weekend of family- friendly fun, brilliant music catering for so many tastes in such a beautiful location. We can't wait for next year's 10th anniversary celebration; can this festival get any more special??

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