I'm going - working again (though probably for the last time). Although it's really not my scene in many ways, I am really disappointed that I won't be there in 2020 (unless I pay for my own ticket and use annual leave - and I didn't love it that much)
We should be camping near to where we were last time and I think the work tent is at the same spot too (though slightly bigger this year).
Since last year I have learned to take hot water bottles and the wonderful Travel Janes with me, to take less food, to abandon the inflatable bed in favour of camp beds which will not deflate in the night, to choose a tent you can stand up in, and to be less indecisive. I'm looking forward to the amazing variety of foods, to working in the tent (I loved this last year), to sitting quietly in the campsite with a cuppa, to going to Beer and Hymns (this time I have planned the rota so that I can go) and to decent weather.
@Smudgie- it’s a real shame we may not see each other at Greenbelt in 2020, especially as I’ll not be there this year. Pants is right; some folk you only get to see there.
P.S. Be thankful that I’m not due in town this month or I’d threaten to drop off a load of unused Travel Johns at your place of work! 😎
I’m going! I have an ‘assistant’ because of my back issues. I might be on Pants’ buggie - I haven’t seen you since I came to an art day years back! I had a different user name then, but I can’t remember what it was.
I’m going! I have an ‘assistant’ because of my back issues. I might be on Pants’ buggie - I haven’t seen you since I came to an art day years back! I had a different user name then, but I can’t remember what it was.
Wow... that was a looooong time ago! But who were you then?!?!
I’ll be there (been every year since 1998 and a few before, I started dating my hubby there that year).
Husband is helping with the Faraday Institute (science and religion) so we will arrive early this year. I might come and nose round the Access area, I’m interested in what they do mental health-wise and I might be considering volunteering in the future.
Mr L and I will be there. Normally we go without kids in tow but this year we will have younger teenager with us so not sure how that will be! Hopefully he will have a go at some of the youth stuff on his own but at 14 and as a new festival goer he will probably need a bit of shepherding!
I’ll be there, for the first time in maybe 12 years. I’ve just used the app to put together some sort of “perhaps if I don’t get waylaid” plan, but of course there are always waylaying opportunities!
@Heavenlyannie I’d love to meet you to discuss historical costumes - I’m putting together one for a West Gallery choir that I play flute for, so it’s early 19th C.
I’ll be in my tin tent, so far more luxurious than the last time I camped.
Mr L and I will be there. Normally we go without kids in tow but this year we will have younger teenager with us so not sure how that will be! Hopefully he will have a go at some of the youth stuff on his own but at 14 and as a new festival goer he will probably need a bit of shepherding!
@Heavenlyannie I’d love to meet you to discuss historical costumes - I’m putting together one for a West Gallery choir that I play flute for, so it’s early 19th C.
I’ll be in my tin tent, so far more luxurious than the last time I camped.
Would love to meet up with any shipmates. I’m actually very easy to spot, there aren’t many middle aged women who are 4 foot 11 with bum length hair wearing a 1970s Laura Ashley maxi dress. Last year two shipmates recognised me from my description and introduced themselves (I also had green hair ends then - this year my hair ends are multicoloured).
I’m also on for an organised meet up.
I will have a 15 year old boy with me (as well as an 18 year old) and I expect he will want to do his own thing and not want to be seen with me!
@Heavenlyannie , hi! I think I was one of the two- by the West African food stall, I think. That spinach stew was great even if it did pay havoc with my insides. 🔥
... there aren’t many middle aged women who are 4 foot 11 with bum length hair wearing a 1970s Laura Ashley maxi dress ...
Funnily enough, that's exactly how I imagined many of the ladies at Greenbelt would be ...
There are many aspects that she shares with many others there. I think the specific combination is less common.
I usually explain that I am a fat, balding, middle aged man in shorts and t-shirt. Which is 90% of the men there. One year I explained that I woudl be wearing a Shroedingers Cat t-shirt. I met at least 2 others in such t-shirts there.
... there aren’t many middle aged women who are 4 foot 11 with bum length hair wearing a 1970s Laura Ashley maxi dress ...
Funnily enough, that's exactly how I imagined many of the ladies at Greenbelt would be ...
There are many aspects that she shares with many others there. I think the specific combination is less common.
I usually explain that I am a fat, balding, middle aged man in shorts and t-shirt. Which is 90% of the men there. One year I explained that I woudl be wearing a Shroedingers Cat t-shirt. I met at least 2 others in such t-shirts there.
I remember that. It’s impossible to tell you all apart.
There was a time I made myself a Ship’s badge with my avatar for GB. The trouble is that 90% of the time I chickened out of wearing it. I guess the ultimate identifier would be to make a personalised Ship’s t-shirt. 100 posts plus entitled you to order one from Shipoffools Central.
I might have copyright problems with my avatar though.
My hair is currently turquoise but it may have faded by next weekend. Have considered a top up but I have to go back to work on the Tuesday...
I love your t shirt story, @Shroedinger’sCat - in fact I think I remember reading about it on the ship at the time.
My usual outfits are frocks, tights and boots / trainers. I was pondering wearing the Bring Me The Horizon t shirt which says “Do you wanna start a cult with me?” on the front.
@Pants , I’ve only just twigged that that pic was from a Whightmeet! I think it might have been one which clashed with my birthday. I feel so ancient😢 looking back on it all.
Alien has grown up, but you don’t look a day older!
Will be there with Mrs N and two little ones. Would love to hear of any shipmeet, but tbh will probably be chasing after wherever our 6yo and 3yo decide to take themselves!
I will be there masquerading as a responsible adult again. The URC tent will have lots of things for all ages and teenagers might well enjoy our cake and debate sessions.
For someone who doesn't like festivals, I am remarkably disappointed to think this will probably be my last year there as a responsible person.
Here's to sawdust toilets, travel Janes, sleeping in 20 layers of clothes (colleagues already there setting up say it is rather chilly at night), too many burgers, friends, sunshine (I have ordered it in advance) and cooked breakfasts every day for almost a week.
@Pants , I’ve only just twigged that that pic was from a Whightmeet! I think it might have been one which clashed with my birthday. I feel so ancient😢 looking back on it all.
Alien has grown up, but you don’t look a day older!
Good grief - it includes the world's most unflattering photo of me - thank you SO much.
Also a rather small Smudgelet. Those were the days!
I hope to look at the Faraday Institute work, so I might also see Mr HeavenlyAnnie.
He is called Matthew and is middle aged, fair and blue eyed. Do say hi if you see him. He is a quantum physicist by background and has his own smart tech start up so likes to talk technology.
I'd like to go to GB one day...maybe I should start a Bucket list just to put it on!! But I'll be 60 next year (how did that happen?!) and I'm not sure my arthritis would welcome camping of any kind!
I know nothing of Greenbelt apart from what I've read here; is it possible to attend the events while staying somewhere civilised and avoiding the camping bit*, or would that be regarded as infra dig?
* Wild horses wouldn't induce me to do camping: I did it once, aged about ten, and that was once too many.
The simple answer is yes. You basically book accommodation separately to the event ticket which you can buy either for full festival or just for specific days. You can decide to stay in official or alternative accommodation although with alternative accommodation you are responsible for getting to and from your accommodation. Like you, most of what I know is from this website but I did a quick check at the booking page which is pretty informative.
Comments
Have a great time!
We should be camping near to where we were last time and I think the work tent is at the same spot too (though slightly bigger this year).
Since last year I have learned to take hot water bottles and the wonderful Travel Janes with me, to take less food, to abandon the inflatable bed in favour of camp beds which will not deflate in the night, to choose a tent you can stand up in, and to be less indecisive. I'm looking forward to the amazing variety of foods, to working in the tent (I loved this last year), to sitting quietly in the campsite with a cuppa, to going to Beer and Hymns (this time I have planned the rota so that I can go) and to decent weather.
I am very much hoping that the rain and storms are sorting themselves out now, before the bank holiday.
@Smudgie- it’s a real shame we may not see each other at Greenbelt in 2020, especially as I’ll not be there this year. Pants is right; some folk you only get to see there.
P.S. Be thankful that I’m not due in town this month or I’d threaten to drop off a load of unused Travel Johns at your place of work! 😎
Wow... that was a looooong time ago! But who were you then?!?!
Husband is helping with the Faraday Institute (science and religion) so we will arrive early this year. I might come and nose round the Access area, I’m interested in what they do mental health-wise and I might be considering volunteering in the future.
@Heavenlyannie I’d love to meet you to discuss historical costumes - I’m putting together one for a West Gallery choir that I play flute for, so it’s early 19th C.
I’ll be in my tin tent, so far more luxurious than the last time I camped.
I've PM'd you.
I’m also on for an organised meet up.
I will have a 15 year old boy with me (as well as an 18 year old) and I expect he will want to do his own thing and not want to be seen with me!
There are many aspects that she shares with many others there. I think the specific combination is less common.
I usually explain that I am a fat, balding, middle aged man in shorts and t-shirt. Which is 90% of the men there. One year I explained that I woudl be wearing a Shroedingers Cat t-shirt. I met at least 2 others in such t-shirts there.
I remember that. It’s impossible to tell you all apart.
There was a time I made myself a Ship’s badge with my avatar for GB. The trouble is that 90% of the time I chickened out of wearing it. I guess the ultimate identifier would be to make a personalised Ship’s t-shirt. 100 posts plus entitled you to order one from Shipoffools Central.
I might have copyright problems with my avatar though.
Yes- they’ve grown a teeny bit since then!
I love your t shirt story, @Shroedinger’sCat - in fact I think I remember reading about it on the ship at the time.
My usual outfits are frocks, tights and boots / trainers. I was pondering wearing the Bring Me The Horizon t shirt which says “Do you wanna start a cult with me?” on the front.
Same here. Well- greying, though someone described it as silver the other day. I think they were just trying to flatter me!
I’m generally very soberly dressed at GB; dark colours do as not to show the dirt or creases, which doesn’t exactly help me stand out.
@Pants , I’ve only just twigged that that pic was from a Whightmeet! I think it might have been one which clashed with my birthday. I feel so ancient😢 looking back on it all.
Alien has grown up, but you don’t look a day older!
Lily Pad, yes, I remember you! I managed a couple of meets, though not the very first one, I think. But the group sent me a signed postcard!
And judging by the date, we must have left our only just 18 year old son at home in sole charge of the dog! Yeeek!
For someone who doesn't like festivals, I am remarkably disappointed to think this will probably be my last year there as a responsible person.
Here's to sawdust toilets, travel Janes, sleeping in 20 layers of clothes (colleagues already there setting up say it is rather chilly at night), too many burgers, friends, sunshine (I have ordered it in advance) and cooked breakfasts every day for almost a week.
Good grief - it includes the world's most unflattering photo of me - thank you SO much.
Also a rather small Smudgelet. Those were the days!
* Wild horses wouldn't induce me to do camping: I did it once, aged about ten, and that was once too many.