A Rum Do it was

With no Glastonbury this year festivals have been a bit thin on the ground for us. Big commercial festivals like Reading and V hold little appeal, and the more eclectic festivals have clashed with other dates. While at Ashton Court we got a flyer for a new festival, A Rum Do, held near Hay on Wye. With Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly) taking a DJ slot, cabaret held in a Spiegelhaus (house of mirrors), swimming pools, a Geisha House, sleeping bag cinema, relaxation rooms and various random acts making their way round the main arena, and a weekend of laughter and luxury promised, we thought we’d give it a whirl.

The location was stunning, in the grounds of a hotel in the Brecon Beacons. The weekend clashed with Beautiful Days and the Green Man, and the weather was awful, so attendance was not as high as expected. The advantage to this was it was a very intimate affair and possibly the only festival we have been to where you started to recognize other people! Neither of the dance tents was uncomfortably overcrowded, and there was enough room at the main stage to shelter from the rain.

Unfortunately the rain affected some of the outdoor acts and the swimming pools were largely unused, but there was plenty to do and the dance tents and Spiegelhaus were where we spent most of our time.

The Brecon Beacons spent most of the weekend hiding under clouds

The horses looked on with interest no doubt wondering who had invaded their field for the weekend and what all the noise was about!

The fantastic Babyhead—last seen in the sunshine at the harbour festival—the weather might have been damper but spirits weren’t!

Hereford hip-hop band The Anomalies and the Hot Potato Syncopators in the Spiegelhaus— there was quite a variety on offer!

You had to dress up for the cabaret evenings—so we did!

So did Zero and Zooty—a lovely couple from Brighton

And Blaine...who I thrashed at backgammon (It’s a long story)

A Japanese Elvis impersonator… he was predictably awful, but the geisha house where he performed was brilliant—unfortunately I forgot my camera.

It was a bit cold for the pools which is just as well, they might have been a bit grim after three days of unwashed festival goers!

The fantastic Fred Deakin who did a brilliant set—including Walk Like an Egyptian...

Skate Naked...what can I say?

The Red Hot Frilly Knickers in entertainment mode

And finally...at festivals I am mostly recovering! I must remember to hide the camera in future.