My Dirty Week-End.

dreamdaisy

I have enjoyed a long week-end of utter fun and joy. Mr DD mooted a little while ago that we should broach the Latitude Festival, one of our 'local' festivals and this was its seventh year. He wanted to see Mr P Weller Esq (who was closing the main even on Sunday night) so I said yup, let's go. 'im indoors moved heaven and earth (and raided his savings) to ensure I would be comfy - he hired a motorhome. Gulp.

We set off on Friday not knowing what to expect. We found out. We're doing it again next year. I shan't bore you with the tedious details but these might be of interest.

He booked a camping space in the Disabled Campsite and the facilities they laid on for those with troubles was amazing. There was a charging tent that could hold up to a dozen electric wheelchairs etc, plus a mobile 'phone point. They supplied disabled Port-a-loos and wheel-chair friendly showers. They staffed the area around the clock. They also laid on a Festaxi - a four-wheeled effort that would trundle those less mobile people down to the main venue site and back (as long as they were about when you wanted to go).

There were sixteen arenas you could wander in and out from, the range of stuff on offer was truly staggering. Classical music, ballet (both classic and modern), poetry, cabaret, burlesque, popular music of all kinds, comedy, art, drama, film, the literary tent, stuff for children, plus stalls selling all kindsa stuff, food outlets (including a Costa Coffee, as Mr DD put it 'This is indeed Boden in a field.'), bars, a fairground, it was fabuous. The youngest people there were just hatched, the oldest I spotted was about 90, striding about in wellies with walking poles to assist movement. I was stumblling about in wellies, with walking poles which really hurt the wrists. :roll:

It was a mud-fest, they put down lots of bark chippings but walking on those in wellies is not fun. The motorhome was OK (not brilliantly equipped) but the main problem was the water heater didn't work. I failed to wash on Saturday (I reasoned that not many people would do so!) but come Sunday cold shower it was. :shock: I like being home with hot water and mains drainage.

Contrary to my expectations I loved every moment. The weather was vile but somehow that didn't matter as we had the right gear. I slept like a log for three nights (which was a joy) and now I'm back to the 'real' world. But the memories . . . . . . . . . utterly fabulous.

Thank you for my thread tjt, you did that despite everything else you have going on. Bless you. Numpty? I'll explain about the tassesl another time!

Right, I'm a shattered DD, I'm off to do me dinner then it's beddy-byes. DD

stickywicket

I've read this with an idiotic grin on my face. It's so good to read of someone just going for it and having a blast as a result.

You took all reasonable precautions but there are always some very daunting imponderables to be faced with anything like this. You faced them, dealt with them and, thanks to Mr DD's care in ensuring you were as comfy as possible and your own kindness in going essentially for his sake but determined to make the most of it, the pair of you had a great weekend.

I think that's brilliant and a real two fingers (one if you're American) to our mutual enemy. Good for you, DD! Good for Mr DD! You both got what you richly deserved and I'm very pleased.

diamond

Glad to see you and Mr DD enjoyed yourselves sounded like a lot of fun.Weather this year is utter rubbish but nice to hear that you did not let it spoil your weekend.Now you rest up and recover DD.xx

duvarayi

DD

As I've said before I was with envy when I heard about your dirty weekend and kept picturing it. I can now tell you what you are describing is nowhere near what I was imagining.

I'm glad you and Mr DD had a ball and the information you gave us is so helpfull as you've made us aware that we can go as they have perfect facilities for disabled people.

So continue to recharge your batteries and rest girl as you need it after all that wonderful time comes exhaustion

Babs

mig

Hi dd doing this on new phone some might have something mistakes sounds like it was well set up glad you enjoyed it rest up and recharge the batteries.mig

7worlds

Hey D.D. Sounds like you had a blast! Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Get yourself a whistle for next year.


7worlds

dreamdaisy

Oi! Miglet! New 'phone? WOW! I hope you are getting on well with it.

I learned a salutory lesson this past week-end. I know I am disabled compared to those who are healthy but then I witnessed some of the people there. Their collective courage and spirit humbled me. A middle-aged chap trundled up in his electric chariot for a shower, accompanied by two carers (both female) one of whom was wielding a hoist. All three of them disappeared into the cubicle. A young lass of maybe twelve with one of the most distorted bodies I have ever seen was whizzing round the entire site in her chariot, which she controlled with her right wrist - and she gave her able-bodied younger sisters lifts. They showered with her too but her mum had to carry her from seat to shower and back. I shared the front row on the viewing platform in the Comedy Tent with a lad of about twenty-five, I think he had CP but the dyed-blonde Mohican (head shaved on both sides, it was just the very inmpressive crest!) the piercings, the torn and ragged jeans and VERY RUDE Tshirt all shouted 'Don't look at the chair - look at me.' Buit not many did.

Friday night was magical - we walked down to the main arena (in daylight) through a small wooded area (then crossed the lake) for a look-see and returned in the late dusk leading to darkness. There were cream lights strung through the branches (and on the site boundaries) but in the woods there were also light installations in the form of enormous flowers, about twelve feet tall: my favourites were the irises.

The chap who runs the site also paints his sheep. They are shorn then coloured with natural dyes in pastel shades of blue, green, red and yellow. After all the rain however they were soon back to their usual 'dirty' cream.

I can't tallk about the facilities other sites provide, I can only tell about what I saw. OK, Porta-loos of any kind are not fabulous but if you are happy to leave your home comforts behind then it's worth a spin. The staff at Latitude were all great, all polite, hard-working and helpful - and mostly volunteers. I witnessed the better side of humanity last week-end. That was a privilege. DD

applerose

Wow, that sounds great. Glad you had such a lovely time. It's wonderful to hear of so many people putting aside their disabilities and getting on with life and to know that the site did all it could to make it a good weekend.

Folara

Excellent DD. Sounds like brilliant fun and great to hear where organizers have worked hard to welcome the less able with open arms and sensible ideas.

It does you good to let your hair down and just go for it.

Fols x

hileena111

Hi DD
You must have had a fantastic time.
It also must have been humbling to realise that you/we are disabled but that so many are so much worse off than us.
I think that would be a lesson for most of us.
Are you off to the next one??? I do hope so

Love
Hileena

georgie66

hi DD
i am so pleased you and hubby had a great weekend..
you can sit and rest now and enjoy the memories
loved herein about it all
georgie

kellerman

The whole experience sounds wonderful DD. I'm so pleased for you and Mr DD that you both seemed to have a great time.
Coming back to reality can be a downer but you've got the memories and the thought of looking forward to doing it again as no doubt you will. May

tjt6768

I am pleased being words that you enjoyed it like you did hun.

barbara12

Blimey DD there's me worrying that you was in a mud laden tent....sat there in your nightie and wellies....but no you did it in style ...Brilliant..Im so glad you had a good time...we saw Paul Weller at Blackpool..not the same I know..... but he was good...
Must say it sounds like a really good festival...

valval

had a peek at there site before you went and it looked great i must admit far better than i would have thought possible well done it gives you such a lift to go out and have great time val

dachshund

Hello DD
i'm glad you enjoyed your weekend you needed that now you need a rest.
it all sounded lovely.
take care.
joan xx

fowls48

Hi DD


Glad you had a wonderful time .Sounds exciting , Maybe it was just what the doctor ordered , and sleeping like a log .Jolly good for .


karen xx

mig

My dirty week-end was trying to clean the grouting on the bathroom tiles.Mig

jillyb1

Sounds as if you and Mr DD had a fantastic weekend away , glad you enjoyed it ; but please rest , rest and more rest now ! Jillyb

dreamdaisy

Mig, grout cleaning is fun if you're in the mood. I use an old toothbrush and what I still call Jif. I love doing it as you get maximum results for very little effort and that, in my book, is always a good thing.

The payback has hit in no uncertain fashion but I give not one damn because the memories alone make it so worthwhile. I am living up to my 'lovely' nickname of Lurch and have even been known to mutter 'The bells, the bells.' as I stagger along the hall.

We are definitely going again next year and now I know what's what I shall indulge in a pred burst of epic proportions so I can do more. I think the only reason I am in such physical trouble now is due to the walking in mud and on bark chippings: neither gave a solid surface and my poor old leg muscles were being used in ways they haven't been for donkeys' years. :roll: (Note to self, go and walk on uneven surfaces much nore often than you do, damn the pain.) I am resting thoroughly at the moment, and I am going to have my legs massaged later in the week. That should help. DD

tjt6768

I'm extremely happy that you had so much fun luv..
And now it's rest time. Please take it easy now..

pinkbritishstars

HI DD

So glad you had such a good time :-)

That's great that you are going to do it again next year. How was the motor home?

Take Care

Pink xx

stickywicket

dreamdaisy wrote:

(Note to self, go and walk on uneven surfaces much nore often than you do, damn the pain.)

OK, let's start with the AC mantra - 'we're all different'. And, let's face it, I'm more different than most :roll: and my walking is coloured by the foot problems as much as anything else. However, in case it's of use, I find grass (as long as it's not tufty) and chippings (as long as they're on solid ground) the easiest surfaces to walk on. Concrete is so hard and unforgiving. Try practising in your local park or football pitch or cricket ground (but NOT on the hallowed square or I shall disown you). Not that it will be of any help next time if conditions are the same but, if they're better, you could be in for a nice surprise.

dreamdaisy

Sticky, I too find grass the most comfy probably because it 'gives' a little under your feet when you step, the same as firm sand. I don't like uneven surfaces and pebble beaches are the worst! Luckily there are a few of those around here so I think that's what I shall aim for - a walk along the beach at least once a week. How romantic. :roll:

Pink, the motorhome had its faults: a water heater that didn't, a tin opener that couldn't and a vegetable knife that wouldn't even cut a raw egg. It was also hugely expensive - £800. :shock: That was the cost of a week's hire - they would not consider a reduced price for the three days we would be using it. On the plus side it was very comfortable albeit somewhat cramped. DD

suzygirl

I am so glad you enjoyed your weekend. Mr DD looked after you well and you had a good time despite everything. The disabled facilities sound awesome.

Look forward to next year and hope it is better weather wise for you!!!


Its always nice to have achieved something and made memories.