We had tickets and a campervan pitch for the Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza.  There were three acts on the Saturday night, The Black Dyke Band, Corinne Bailey Rae and headliner Brian Wilson.

We drove down on the Friday, stopping off on the way at CJ Van Designs for some advice on wear on the popup roof.  He recommended placing some strips of carpet over the lights in the roof before closing down the lid.  We arrived at the site and parked the van, but we did not erect the awning as we were only there for a couple of nights. We sat out in the sun and drank our bottle of fizz before eating our supper which was Coronation Chicken, finished off with raspberries & cream.

The site was much as it was as the previous year, except that there seemed to be more campervans (of all ages) this time, and where we had camped last year there were now vans there.  The loos were not the composting type this time, but the traditional Glastonbury long drop, a large tank with cubicles on top, open to the weather at their roofs. Even after only a day it was getting pretty stinky.  There was also a van this time selling bacon butties (not that I was allowed to buy one).

Next day it was raining, but it was predicted to get better with no rain for the show.  We hung around at the campsite waiting for the rain to stop, and headed into town on foot and made it to the pub called The Who’d A Thought It. Alas, as it was lunch time we were unable to sit outside, so had to drink our pints in the bar.  Outside I had spotted the long queue to the Glastonbury Festival Office where tickets to the Pilton Party were on sale.  When we left the pub the queue was short.  Rosemary gave me permission to buy a ticket for the 1st September, so I joined the queue where I soon heard it was cash only sales.  I had gone cashless, luckily Rosemary had not yet left the area and was beckoned over to supply the cash.

A couple more hours to spare was spent looking around the weird and wonderful shops in Glastonbury.  After a while, we joined the queue and were soon walking into the Abbey where we sat down on our chairs on a small rise.  I think next year I shall sit more over to the left of the site, this seems to be the area where Michael Eavis appears for pictures.

First on were The Black Dyke Band, a Leeds colliery band.  I thought they were good, Rosemary considers last year’s school band was better.

Next up was Corinne Bailey Rae, sorry did not enjoy the performance, nothing I could sing along too.  We used the time to purchase some wraps with Halloumi, salad and Hummus.

Brian Wilson came on finally with his backing band.  Much more pleasant, with recognisable Beach Boy sounds.  The crowd really enjoyed the performance. Brian is a bit past it, didn’t play much and only sung a little.  The backing band and singers though provided brilliant performances.  The event ended with a great firework display.  

We left quite quickly and were on the second coach back to the campsite.  Very efficient service.  I sneaked in a JD in the campervan before going to bed.

The morning was a bit soggy, breakfasted and left.  Stopped for lunch at 12.00 at the The Cross Keys Inn.  We still had time to kill before meeting up with Sue and Ken, so we visited the National Trust house of Lytes Cary Manor.  It would have been better if we had skipped lunch at the The Cross Keys and had just eaten at the NT house.  

We arrived at Sue and Ken’s, Sue was in, Ken was supporting the pub which had only recently reopened, but he came back fairly quickly. We inspected Sue’s vegetable plots, chickens & cats. Good to see them.

The drive back on the A303 was a pain, Google recommended a big diversion before we reached Stonehenge.  Duly taken.