Newbies not 'getting' Glasto?!

[mr gumby]

For those who don't get what IT is, we say sorry but hope you find something to like and that gives you as much pleasure as Glastonbury has given us over the past 5 years as we turned into pensioners.

Our first year was 2007 and being 2 any festival virgins and 58 and 57 yrs of age, we decided to go all in and go for the biggest.

We had always wanted to go and watched for years on telly but never ever made a big effort till my wife had a life changing health scare.

We decided it was now time to do it and live life doing the things instead of talking about it.

We booked a caravanette cos it would be easier for her but could only get tickets for those using public transport so had to cancel booking and beg, buy and borrow camping equipment.

We read every thing on E festivals and Glastonbury site so were well prepared with waterproofs, just in case and just as well as it was one of the wettest weekends.

Despite all the mud and the constant drizzle we managed to see all the bands we wanted and spend whole weekend constantly amazed at what we stumbled across as we explored the site.

Highlight was getting near the front of Other Stage for Rufus Wainwright, Arcade Fire and Bjork and the amazing site of tiny patches of green oasis appearing as some left early and space under their tent was exposed.

Some people actually went over and stood on these tiny green spaces just to have somewhere so sit and relax without putting down plastic bags first.

When it was over and we were tired, wet and happy on a steam filled bus on way home, it was easy to decide to go again as we took the view that we'd survived and loved our first Glastonbury when the weather was at its worst so next time could only be better.

This has proved to be correct and culminated in 2010 with wall to wall sunshine for the whole week.

We will be there next year for our 5th and are looking forward to it just as much as the first having learned to pace ourselves as we've got slightly older and slower over the years.