To Norseman and Back Again

Written in pen and paper on 16^th February 2015 at Isrealite Bay, WA

Again the boys got back pretty quick from their walk and we went to Lucky Bay to have lunch, you’re so spoilt for beaches in WA that I didn’t like Lucky Bay, it had sludge on it. Then I suggested we try the one the couple recommended; Hellfire Bay is the most beautiful beach I have ever been on, the sand was like walking on fresh snow, the sea, albeit chilly, was gorgeous shades of blue and at one end ran a small river which can’t be seen from the entrance to the beach and I loved it there.

That night I spoke to Marco – still no confirmation from his mechanic on when the car will definitely be ready but he said I was welcome to come stay in Norseman, on a bed, with a hot shower. How could I refuse?! So Friday morning the boys kindly dropped me in town and I got the bus to Norseman. Marco came to pick me up and took me to the motel he was working at, sweet little place; I named it the Tardis as it’s huge on the inside and looks small outside.

That day I had a loooooong shower, repainted my nails (how girly), met a Scottish guy call Doug who was a covering paramedic from Perth for a month and Jaci, a lovely lady who Marco had done jobs for.

After a sleep in a proper bed (huzzah!) we went to Norseman markets (all 6 stalls!), I got my blood pressure taken – normal, then went to Jaci’s for a really nice chat, tea and biscuits. Afterwards Marco got me and did some MORE jobs (that guy’s like Norseman’s handyman!). I sat and did a jigsaw puzzle and had a cup of tea, didn’t finish my tea in time to see Jaci before Marco got back so we had an hour then went out for a drink with Doug – Norseman was rocking, 7 people in the pub, couldn’t handle the excitement! It even closed just after 9, late night party town. We went back to the Motel and played pool before bed.

Sunday was go day, after doing yet more jigsaw and having a brew with Jaci we got the good news, it came when eating a delicious lunch Leigh had made (she also did lamb shank, mash, gravy and veg the night before, I could have kissed her, lambs my favourite). The car was ready, he was like an excitable dog, jumping around, hurry, hurry, hurry. I never got to finish the jigsaw, nightmare!

Got the car about 2, set off (back to Esperance) 3 hours later, watch out for ‘roos! Marco spent time in Esperance sorting his CB radio then we found somewhere to sleep for the night. In the morning it was supplies and off to Isrealite Bay. Unfortunately, due to the delay, we missed the rest of the expedition.

We started our 4wd after deflating the tyres, the car vibrated on the terrain most of the day. We ended up seeing a building ruin, in the middle of nowhere. It was the old telegraph station, interesting to see, completely abandoned with a log book which we entered our names in and saw the guys entry who we were supposed to be with. Then we went past the campsite and Marco got some advise from some Australian’s camped there.

We eventually got to the beach and had a swim (although I didn’t follow the rules and get my hair wet). As the day progressed it got colder and I added more layers whilst Marco fished with barnacles we’d been collecting earlier. The fish were biting but not big enough to take the line. It was getting late and the tide was coming In, so we had to get off the rocks and thusly off the beach as the sea came in and enveloped the dunes. We’d made a wrong turn and started running out of time. The sea was almost in and the car was almost bogged. After a swift decision to not go back to the rocks, Marco reversed and rapidly revved the car through the ever-approaching sea. I wish I had filmed it, it was something from a 4 wheel drive (4wd) advertisement.

We had made it and I’m sure if I could have heard it, Marco’s heart would have been going a million beats a second. Off the beach and on to the tracks, it was getting darker, we made slight progress in the direction we wanted, eventually, where we stopped for the night. Pasta for dinner, this time with an Italian touch. Goodnight Isrealise Bay, or should I say “buonanotte”, I am getting Italian lessons afterall.

On The Road Again

Written in pen and paper on Thursday 12th February 2015

The boys got back not long after I finished writing, with Ivo setting the pace I don't think that was hard to achieve. After we drove back through Hopetoun with the boys taking a quick shower near the beach. When arrived back at the campsite we had more company, 3 Frenchies and a German. They seemed really nice, they themselves road tripping to Melbourne. 

We had dinner in the light for a change, then went to watch Hans do some fishing before having fish for supper, Salmon this time, and we sat and listened to him tell stories of his days of service and all the mischief he got up to. 

It was too overcast to look at the stars so instead it was an early night, especially since Richard wanted to get up super early and watch Hans run his two greyhounds. 6am came and I couldn't sleep any longer as Rich and Hans were talking - there's no way of blocking noise from a tent! You'll never guess what was for breakfast - FISH! Herring in the morning, it's a good job I love fish. We sat around chatting a while before watching the greyhounds run, they're pretty fast, which I suppose you need from dogs you race. Then it was time to pack up and head to Esperance. We said bye to the other travelling group and to Hans I said "so long and thanks for all the fish" and also stifled a giggle for an appropriately placed film quote, just lucky I didn't sing a verse. 

On the way back we went to the national park and the boys climbed Mt Barren whilst I went in to town to have yet another cold shower, then I went to collect them and whilst waiting I painted my nails to hide the copious amounts of dirt that's made its way under them - camping lifestyle! After this we went and had lunch in Ravensthorpe following our viewing of its quaint little museum. Then it was onwards to Esperance. We scanned Wikicamps for a free campsite but it let us down so we found our own free site, not too far from a stonehenge replica - WHUT?! Of all the places...

We set up camp and had rice for dinner then played Hanabi - I think we're getting better at it - teamwork makes the dreamwork. The next day we just had a wander around town and went to Twilight beach, pasta for tea. 

I've taken to sleeping in the car for extra comfort; I feel I'm travelling business class to dreamland. Today we hit the national park, $12 in. We visited a beautiful beach in Cape le Grand then came to conquer Frenchman's Peak, I wasn't going to do it at all but Ivo convinced me to go as far as I could go, I got as far as the sign for "the summit" following posts and chickened out, thanks vertigo and inappropriate footwear. 

Now I'm sitting waiting for them to finish an estimated 2 hour climb so we can find a beautiful beach. Some people told me there is a beautiful beach across the way so maybe give that a try, but no doubt they'll want lunch first, hungry hippos.

1 hour to go...

Outback Adventure

Written in pen and paper on Monday 9th February 2015 

Leaving all my friends in Dunsborough was really sad and hard, nevertheless a new adventure awaits. After a few pictures with my favourites (minus 3 who had gone off to do other things), I drove away.

Our first stop was Busselton so Richard could get himself a sleeping bag. Strangely enough it was raining when I left, which I thought was funny! I thought it funny because the day before I had told Luca and Marco (as we were listening to it at the time) to be singing when I left the next day "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone."

After Busselton we drove to Mt Barker, it got a little scary at one stage because we could see all the smoke from the bush fire we were attempting to avoid. I have to be honest, I hadn't really thought ahead on this trip, I just count myself lucky that Ivo and Richard are a lot more organised! They've got cooking equipment, food, etc. I brought some sultanas and a bag of doritos mmmm. 

We briefly stopped in one town along the way, which was small. We picked up 10l of water and carried on. We managed to miss the road Rich was aiming for and ended up on a red gravel road which we stopped on, near a burnt down shack, to set up camp for the night. We cooked rice with tuna and played a German card game called Hanabi, which is ironically British-Richard's, luckily we have German-Ivo to read the rules.

It was a pretty uncomfortable sleep, clearly I prefer sleeping on my side, but the ground is too hard and my hips are too much of a pressure point, ouchy! On my back it is then. In the morning it was oats and sultanas for breakfast (they did come in useful) before I drove to Albany so we could get supplies.

We had intended to climb Bluff knoll but it was closed due to the fires so we popped to the cafe instead; I got a cup of tea and the guy who served me was from, would you believe it, Bootle(!), of all places! What a small world. He asked me if I was a red or blue and I obviously answered Red - he gave me my tea in an LFC mug - it made my day; not only was it LFC, it was a mug instead of a miniature cup, you know the type you HAVE to stick your pinky out to drink from. 

Then we went swimming in the green pool near Denmark (not Europe) before heading to Cosy Corner campsite near the beach. On the way we visited a friend of Ivo's who was shooting a potato gun, as you do; I played fetch with the dog. When we set up camp it was pasta for dinner before more Hanabi and sleep - on my back. After an awful night sleep I had my oats and tried Richard's slack line, I was a bit rubbish and couldn't balance without holding the branch. After this we went to a beach and did part of the Bibbulmun track.

We were walking along a trail that had a snake symbol for guidance, which I originally thought was a warning with a happy snake on it! After a while, and the occasional beautiful view, Ivo headed back to get the car whilst Rich and I continued to the next point. We almost got lost! We intercepted a road from the bunk point (where I wrote my name in the log book) and followed it for what seemed like forever. Having already seen the arse end of a long black snake every rustle became a paranoid head twist. We did come within metres of a Kangaroo hopping along. After an age we eventually saw civilisation; 2 Australian's who didn't appear to give the slightest toss but happily told us it was another 500m to the road, the sweet, sweet gravel road. By now I was covered in dirt, sweaty and running out of water. We reached the gravel road and I saw the most beautiful sight - Ivo with the car! Fantastic! We got back and cooked rice and the eggs we got from the farm shop, it turned in to some kind of mush! Too tired for Hanabi so straight to bed.

The next day we packed up and headed to Albany, I got a free shower and didn't care that it was cold, it was brilliant to have a wash. I was planning on getting something comfier to lie on but it was Sunday and only the IGA was open. I bought a hot dog from the girl scouts (it was nice to have some meat) and some socks and baby wipes (it's so easy to get very dirty) from the IGA. Once we left Albany we headed towards Esperance stopping in Ravensthorpe, well, nearby, closer to the beach at a free campsite [I now recall this place to be Hopetoun]. Thank you Wikicamps! There was a guy there, who had two greyhounds, camping in his car, nice enough bloke. We set up the tents then got to cooking; pasta tonight. Then the guy (I need to ask his name) came back with a few fish he had just caught, he gave us some which we fried and I ate like a caveman, my hands stunk of fish for a while after.

At about 9 the three of us went and lay on the beach looking up at the milky-way and on the lookout for shooting stars. I saw 2! That made 3 in two days - which beats yesterday's record of one in one day.

I got up quite early, even after managing to sleep on my side, kinda, because I was slow roasting myself in the tent; I seem to have a habit of misjudging where the sun comes up. It was fish for breakfast - the Australian guy caught and cooked it for us. Then we popped in to town, got some info and headed to Fitzgerald National Park. Stunning views, just stunning. I walked with Richard and Ivo to the beach, about 2km before heading back to the car. I didn't fancy walking along yet MORE sand to go back across the same sand just to get the car, especially with my dodgy knee tendon at the moment. 

I reached the car after a brief stop at the bench with the beautiful view and a bite from a March fly on the ankle (second this trip!). I was sweaty and dirty but the wet wipes worked a treat. Then I drove slowly, taking in the view towards West Beach Headland where I am now sat writing in good old fashioned pen and paper, waiting for the boys, listening to the sea crash on the rocks and looking over the vastness of it.

1 hour to wait... 

Goodbye Dunsborough

Since my last post I've done quite a bit. We went to the rock pools near Smiths beach, there was 3 German's (Ivo, Elizabeth [I may well be spelling that wrong] and Thiago [he's half Brazilian]), an American (Aaron), an Estonian (Olya), 2 French guys (Mat and Jeremy), a Kiwi (Rusty), a Dutch guy (Geoff) and one half of my favourite Italian duo (Luca). It was a lot of fun climbing the rocks and trying to stay under the falls as the waves splashed over, everyone tried it but they were so powerful if you didn't have a grip you would just get pushed further in to the natural pool. When we had all had enough splashing (I was the splash instigator 97% of the time - Rusty the other 3%) we sat on the rocks and Ivo made some peanut butter sandwiches and made sure everyone had something to eat and drink, he is one of the most thoughtful people I've met. After this we went to Olya's work place and I had a scone and an iced chocolate (pretty much a chocolate milkshake), the scone was a little touch of home for me. I'm so surprised that most of the people we went with have never tried a scone. Come on Britain! Spread the scones around the world. 

After scones we wanted more swimming so we went to Smiths beach - alright! My beach! Quite enjoyed it there, apart from the tendon's giving up in the back of my knee, that was pretty horrendous. I managed to scoop some waves though - I did get dumped by one. Upside down back to front SAND! Then I had to come back here to go to work, that was no fun because I got sent home after an hour due to the pain in my leg. Although when I got back I realised someone had stolen my socks off the washing line. I was furious. It was unreal - who does that... all resolved now though and I have the socks back. Woohoo. 

On Sunday a big group of us went to Sunday Session at Cave's house, it was a lot of fun and I got pretty squiffy and kept telling my favourite people I would miss them a lot. The next day my favourite Italian's took me to Bussleton to get a tent, which I got and we had look at Dick's shop which sells electronics - I saw his Dick Pick. I laughed a lot and had to explain it to Luca and Marco, before Marco fell asleep on the way back. 

That night Marco, Luca, Iz and I all went crabbing, at about 11pm and we caught 17 crabs. Marco is the crab catching pro. I didn't get to try any of these but last time Marco cooked crabs they were delicious, although they are pretty tricky food to eat and I suggest maybe not eating them if you are famished. 

The next day was back to Smiths Beach with Olya, Marco and Luca, even though we arrived too late and Luca had to leave for work. We went in Marco and Luca's van which I've nicknamed "The Love Wagon" because it's so jazzy, although it's been named Donald already. Emily (Canadian) was already on the beach and Dario (Italian) turned up a little later. We did some body boarding and once again I went spinning around in the wave, it was pretty fun to be fair. After we got back Marco, Olya and I decided to go out for some food, we decided on the curry van at Old Dunsborough Jetty and sat on the rocks watching the most awesome lightening storm I have ever seen, fork lightening, massive flashes and crackling thunder. Oh my Science! It was truly amazing. Want a fabulous evening that was. When we got back it was thoroughly raining and still unbelievably warm, so I danced in the rain and enjoyed it - I've not seen rain for 6 weeks or more. Although I did go skidding and my foot went right through my flip, leaving me only with a flop. 

Today was sleeping bag shopping! I managed to get a $90 sleeping bag and a $12 roll mat for $50, I felt like a Bargaining pro! Boom! Lil bit chuffed with that. I also bought some new flip flops, although I don't like them so much but being a fussy person who doesn't want plastic ones I can't complain too much. After the bargaining it was food time, went to a lovely little cafe with Olya, Marco and Eric (Dutch). After that we met Pei (Taiwanese) and Andrew (American) at the cinema and watched Wild... I'm not sure what I think about it. 

So, I have decided it's time to move on. I have a lift tomorrow morning with two strangers and a guy from the hostel (Ivo). We will all be travelling together to Esperance along the coast and from there I will be accompanying a friend in a 4wd with some other 4wd's and making my way to Adelaide. 

I've had such a beautiful time here and met some life long friends. It will be emotional to leave and I'm sure I will have a little cry after I drink a bit at the full moon party but I am happy to have the memories to take with me. 

For all you friends reading that I have met here in WA, I love you and want you to stay in touch. Please come and visit me when I'm settled back in Liverpool, the door will always be open to you and what traveller turns down a free bed for the night? You'll always be Captain's to me.

Now I have to pack...

Beaches, Ice cream and Dilemmas.

No pictures in this post guys, not until I am less lethargic and update it. [I've finally added photos - as you can see(14/02/15)]

In the last few days I have been body boarding at Prevelley beach with Ivo, my German friend and Pei, my Taiwanese friend. We also had a drink in the town (Margaret River) and played some cards, chase the ace and rummy. I also went to a place called Simmos that sells all different flavoured ice-cream with two girls from "dawn sawff" (Surrey) and a German guy who teaches English and History in Germany. At Simmo's there is two Emu's that eat Ice-cream so Simon was flicking what we couldn't eat as close as he dared to the gobbling Emu's. There was also lots of drinking done this week... as every week - hostel life style, but I drink copious amounts of water and tea too. 

I finally made it to the beach down the bottom of the hostel... maybe pictures would help this make sense... soz. I went for a dip with Rusty from NZ and Emily from Canada, they got out early then Will the Londoner joined me, proper Brits enjoying the beautiful sea. Will and I swam out to the sand bank and watched the sting ray swim past, they are really big in the sea around Dunsborough. Since breaking my beach virginity I have been another time, yesterday in fact, with Marco the Italian, and AJ from Coventry (of all places!), the three of us were trying to simultaneously stand up on a board, I never even managed more than sitting for laughter. AJ and Marco managed it momentarily before going backwards in to the water, and AJ held on for dear life with his legs, that boy was determined not to fail. All it made me realise was the Rose is one selfish cow, Jack never had to die! (Titanic reference if it needs explaining.) Only problem swimming at the beach yesterday was that both Marco and I managed to get stung by jellyfish, little squidgy beggars! Marco peeled a tentacle off his arm and got a swollen lump, mine turned in to spots up my arm. Luckily I had germoline to sooth my sting, problem with that is I'm running low and it doesn't exist over here - send supplies!  

One evening I also had an overwhelming urge to make nachos, so Tuesday the people who were around got to munch on Nachos. And boy did they get munched, never seen something get inhaled so fast! I have also become addicted to chocolate whilst being over here, I keep going shopping and thinking, no! NO BECCA! don't buy chocolate, you'll munch it all. Only problem with that is I come back desperate for chocolate and I can smell it coming, like a crazed meerkat when a wrapper goes, "chocolate?!" Again, on the topic of food, Luca, an Italian, works at a place where he makes pizza and often comes back with some of the most delicious pizzas I've ever eaten and I keep having a slice or two - I will soon start to look like a pizza slice, I'm already red for the base. 

Yesterday was Mat's birthday, he's French, so he, Jeremy (he's also French) and I, went to Simmo's for an ice cream, the Emu's didn't get fed this time. Then I went fishing with Rusty, we caught all of one fish, and when I say we, I mean Rusty, as I had gone for a wee when all the action happened. It got particularly windy last night and I got a free sand exfoliation. After fishing we went off track in his 4x4 to see the lighthouse which was fun. Then I came back and with Matt and Jeremy, went out for dinner at Meat People, the food was delicious and I think the three of us could have eaten twice as much. Once we got back, it was party hats, drinks and chocolate brownie I had made, luckily it was a ready mix so not much could go wrong with it, apart from the too large a tin meaning the outer parts turned out to be more of a biscuit.

I also went to work today, and my goodness it is far too hot! I've chosen to lie on the bed with the fan on my because it's melting weather. A customer at work said "Oh wait until summer does hit"... I'm going to burn. You'll catch me skimming along the walls for shade! It's that hot I'm too exhausted to reach less than two feet to the bottom of the bed to reach my cup of tea that has been sat there for about 30 minutes and I bet it's not even cooled down one iota! 

What about the dilemma I hear you cry?! Well.. my choices are, stick around here and get all my seasonal work out of the way and spend a heap of money on a car for getting to the vineyards, or go with a guy towards Port Augusta SA and see lots of beaches and national parks along the way... I have to do 3 months of regional work, and the travel crew are leaving around the 6th of February so I haven't got long to make a decision on what to do there. Your answers on a postcard, or comment, or WhatsApp... hell, just give me your opinion! I need some help in making my decision... 

A Week, A Month… A Year?!

I was due to stay in Dunsborough for a week then move on somewhere else, but you start to watch your money depleting and WA is so expensive! I mean, $1.40 for a Crème Egg, sort it out! (I’m still buying them). Little did I know this is a ‘working’ hostel, meaning everyone here is fairly long term and they all work, so I started thinking maybe I should contemplate a job, it can do no harm to earn a bit of cash, after a couple of days I handed my CV around and boom! Got a job in a bar, started the 11^th. Winner… Immediately I got that dreaded work feeling but it will be nice to earn some money (when I get paid).

So I paid to stay here for a month, the hours haven’t really been coming in so I went today and asked for more, the boss said see you at 5, so I’ll be going in to work later. Have to say, my feet do not like my shoes! My shoes I’ve had NO issues with the whole time I’ve had them, now I have blisters and my toes feel trapped. Used to being bare foot or in thongs all the time. I need to buy more socks too… sigh.

In between that I’ve made some friends, here there are Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian’s, German’s, an Estonian, a Kiwi, various Aussie’s in and out, one other British guy, there’s been two Canadian’s and a handful of American’s. It’s crackers. Everyone speaks English to each other unless communicating with someone of your native tongue. A couple of guys can speak about 3 languages so have no problems.

pizza production line

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I went on a trip with two German’s to a place called Eagle Bay, we did a LOT of walking, over rocks and through bush to a beautiful beach, when we almost got back to the car a few hours later I had cramp in my bum cheek. Don’t laugh! I couldn’t walk. 

One night the Italian’s cooked pizza, that turned in to a midnight shambles. The night before the French did lasagne which amused me, shoulda been moules and frites with loads of baguettes.

One evening, three German’s, two French and myself were telling political based jokes about our native Countries, the American’s didn’t get it so we laughed more.

Another evening was spent fishing with a Japanese girl, a German and a Italian. I realised I can't fish and sting rays look pretty cool in the dusk. A successful trip if you ask me!

One evening a few of us went to watch the sun set at the beach which was really nice, 4 German’s, 1 Italian, 2 Brits (including me) and 1 Australian.

I love the variety of people and how nice (almost) everyone is. Nobody is nasty, put it that way.

I also hired the car and went to visit my friend in Perth, it made me really miss having a car so I might try and get one… although I think I am too fussy for the hunks of junk lying around WA at the moment. Whilst in Perth I visited Cottesloe, Subiaco, the art gallery, the museum, went for a really nice Greek meal and also went to the cinema to watch the new Hobbit film. I’m glad I had nice company because we made our own amusements in the boring bits… which were often. Zzzzz.

A couple of days ago we went to a beach party booze and bbq, this was after my walk with the French guy when I got badly sunburnt. At the beach party there was 2 Italian’s, 1 American, 2 Canadian’s, a few Japanese, 1 Chinese, 1 Brit, 1 Indian (from the other group), 2 German’s… I’m sure I’m missing some people out.

Yesterday was a trip to Margaret River (BEEN THERE!) we wandered up and down the street, I went in the car with 2 French and an Italian. In the other car was an Italian and a French. Then we bumped into 2 German’s and a Taiwanese from our hostel. So we went to a café and had a hot beverage. The Italian was seething at $3 for an espresso… easy steps on how to piss off an Italian 1. Give him a shit espresso, step 2. Charge him a ridiculous amount, step 3. Sit back and watch him shout profanities in Italian.

The Italian's have very naughtily hosted a couple of beach fires, even though fires are currently prohibited at the moment. At one the Kiwi got extremely drunk and we had to force him back to the hostel before he set his head on fire but we did amuse ourselves for a while beforehand at his expense. 

Today myself, a French girl, a Taiwanese girl and a German guy were going to go on a 20k walk but about 3k in the lovely Taiwanese girl got stung on the foot by a bee so was came back.

So I’ll be staying here for at least a month, I think I will keep pestering the boss for more and more and more and more hours. As much as I don’t WANT to work, the more I can work whilst I do have a job will keep me ok in the times I don’t… at least that is the idea. We’re almost 2 months in to the adventure and I am going to earn as much as I can this month in Dunsborough then after a month see if I have earned enough to move on… I’m already getting itchy feet to move to the next place.

Overdue Post

Given I’ve not posted for a few weeks I’ll try and keep it informative and brief… TRY! I’m making no promises.

Sheesh… over 20 days of “what have I done?”

Ok, so New Year was good, we went to the local park, sorta, and the Margaret River posse were all there with their children and what not. There was plenty of drinking and eating before we went back and Charlotte, Grandma and I stayed up until after midnight to see the New Year in. We watched the fire works on the tv at Sydney, and swayed a little.

Then it was packing time! A week in Dunsborough and a music festival, booya! I was starting to freak out a little. What the hell? Time to go… on my.. OWN? Nooo surely not. But here I was, landed in Dunsborough ready to party hard at the festival.

Saturday was a good day at the festival, had trouble getting in because my ticket was online and I lost all internet connection, luckily, including the delay because of traffic, there was nobody on that I wanted to see before 9pm, but I got in about 13:30ish. Bought my drinks tickets and got a couple of drinks, then coyly went and sat in the tent and listened to a band I didn’t know, I felt slightly awkward at first, but I started talking to people, and with the alcohol got more and more friendly. Sat in the big tent and watched the comedians, they were pretty funny but I couldn’t repeat a joke to you (I tried and failed miserably - always the way). One of the comedians said look after your ginger friends so two people asked me if I needed looking after and suncreamed my back! Woohoo. Then I lost them in the tent as I went to get drinks. Someone also gave me a Captain Morgan’s pirate hat so I pretended I was a pirate for a while.

 

By the time The Presets played (the reason I went) I was moderately squiffy so I wedged my way to the front with a bunch of people I had attached myself to for that period of time. We were second in the row and boy was it squashy, I didn’t care. When The Presets played I danced the whole time in the tiny space and thoroughly enjoyed myself, they were incredible and I would love to watch them again. When they finished it was La Roux and I have to say, her performance was the bizz, very pleased I stuck around. After La Roux I was done so I went and sat on the bus as it was quite chilly and I was ready for sleep.

Sunday was another early start and I was super tired, we got there on time on the Sunday but it was sooooooooo hot. I tried to watch something on the outdoor stage but I was melting so I went in the tent with my drinks and pretty much spent my time sat against the fence in the shade. I didn’t know anyone bar Todd Terje playing on the Sunday and he was last on so chilling there made no difference to me thankfully. Sunday, I have to say, I fell in love… it was love at first spray – there was a guy walking around spraying water mist on everyone to cool them off, I could have kissed him, it was beautiful. It all got a bit much for me so I had a Nanna nap, sunglasses on, head on my bag, lay down on the grass, live music playing, Glass Animals, they’re pretty good to nap through, quite chilled music. After that I was getting squiffy again and started chatting with some guy and having a good laugh, then Blue Juice were on and he said I should come and dance, so he, his friend and I went up to dance. The music was good and the crowd was wild, even wilder as we managed to join ourselves in with the crowd who had all taken some illegal substances and were dancing like crazed monkeys, so we got involved. I have to say, crazed monkey dancing is a hell of a lot of fun. !For the record, there was strictly no drugs consumed by myself! But dancing like a moron whilst drunk, but not drunk enough to lose your feet was hysterical. After Blue Juice I lost those guys and instead danced to Todd Terje on my own, it was enjoyable.

 

Once I got back to the hostel... after only being led by the moonlight and bumping in to a couple of trees, I had completely forgotten how to get on my bunk, I was drunk and there is(was) no ladder to get in. All I needed to do was put my foot one rung higher on the opposite ladder and hop across but I didn’t manage it for about 10 minutes due to a fit of laughter and drunken confusion.

Ok this one is long enough now… NEXT!