Camp Bestival 2018 {Review}

This morning I woke up in a bed I hadn't planned to be in. Now before you get too excited, this bed was my own at home - but I should have been waking up in my cosy tent bedroom in the grounds of Lulworth Castle having slept off the last day of Camp Bestival 2018. But, the British weather struck in the way that only British weather can. We should have known really with the school summer holiday just beginning. The stark change from the barmy heatwave to incoming coastal winds and sideways rain meant that the festival was shut down on Sunday afternoon due to safety issues on the festival site - the campsite was a fairly precarious place to be too with damaged tents and flying gazebos. This obviously left 1000s of families gutted, including me as the Sunday has always been my favourite day where I spend the day sleepily wandering around finding those last minute things to do and taking lots of photos before it ends. However, the three days that preceded the shut down was full of glorious weather and we had the most amazing time!

Camp Bestival 2017 ~ Review

The last of the mud has been washed away and I am now ready to look back on, and review, our Camp Bestival 2017. It was our eighth visit as Camp Bestival celebrated their tenth anniversary but somebody forgot to book the sunshine for the weekend. The rain, and mud, definitely impacted the festival but we were determined not to let it spoil our fun for Camp Bestival 2017.

Summer Emotions

This weekend my girl turned 11; her last birthday before heading off to secondary school in September. These two events are in no doubt causing me to be very emotional at the moment. Year on year the children's birthdays set me off on a path of mixed emotions and I become an absolute nightmare to live with whilst I deal with it. We are also at the start of the last week of the school year and I'm getting emotional about everything; the girl's leaver's assembly on Thursday, finishing this academic year of yoga teaching, realising the holiday is only a week away and I'm meant to be running the Norwich 10k race in less than 3 weeks and I can only just walk on a knackered achilles, realising that, despite a positive physio appointment 2 weeks ago, I will have to shelve the planned marathon in September. Then I think to myself that in the grand scheme of things these are only little stresses and I should do the simple thing of 'snapping out of it'. Sometimes I can but sometimes I can't. I am quite an emotional thing with quite a fiery streak - just ask the husband. As cliche as it sounds, running is my therapy - well one of them, yoga being the other. Running gives me time, it gives me fresh air, it gives me exercise, it clears my mind, it makes me feel great. Simply put, not being able to do it is really getting me down. Now I could just leave it at that but I do have a positive side to me. I am telling myself it could be way worse than having to shelve some races and take it easy. So I'm going to now look ahead to the summer and think of the positives!

In less than two weeks we'll be taking our annual trip down the A350 to Dorset for the tenth installment of Camp Bestival! This will be our eighth Camp Bestival and that simple fact obviously means it is an event that as a family we would highly recommend - here was last year's review.

I may not be running there this year but I'm going to take the annual trip east along the joyous M4, M25 & M11 to my home county of Norfolk - the thought of the Norfolk coast is already making me smile!

   

The wide open space of Greenacres needs to be booked for some family chill-out camping time.

Soul Circus gives me my yoga festival hit for the summer. I am so looking forward to three days of rolling out my yoga mat in the amazing tents and chilling in some pure indulgent me-time. Last year's inaugural event was fantastic and I reviewed it here.

And there is also the simple fact that alarm clocks can be switched off, school bags can be hidden under the stairs and we can just chill with the family.

So, and I do need to remind myself of this, there's a lot to be positive about.

x x x

Camp Bestival 2016 {Me Time}

Having looked at Camp Bestival from a family point of view, and shared some lovely images, today I got to thinking about what I got out of it as an individual trying to find some me time. Camp Bestival is clearly billed as a family festival but that doesn't mean, with a bit of planning, us grown ups can't find some time alone doing some grown up things.

We struck a good balance again this year as a family unit which gave everyone the opportunity to do the things they wanted to do. I planned ahead and booked another nature run with Nick, having loved it last year, and it didn't disappoint; with a gentle 5k+ around and beyond the festival site I can definitely recommend it - a morning run set off at 9.30 on each of the mornings and cost £5.

The nature runs set off from the Slow Motion area which also homed a yoga tent so you just know that I spent some of my me time there! Becoming a bit of an early riser I dragged myself out of bed and up the big hill onto the main site for two 8 a.m. classes; Qi Gong on the Saturday and Rise & Shine Yoga on the Sunday. Qi Gong was new to me and felt similar to Tai Chi, it was very gentle with a calming focus on balance, breath and stretching. The Rise & Shine Yoga I was more familiar with and was taken by a last minute replacement Kali - Kali Green Yogini - who has reignited my desire to move to Cornwall just so I can take some more of her classes! This year all yoga and meditation classes were free.

Camp Bestival 2016 {In Pictures}

It's that time again when we go through all of our pictures taken at this year's Camp Bestival. Between the four of us attending the family festival this year we had a DSLR, a compact camera, an iPhone and a Samsung phone all of which were constantly used to snap away taking pictures around the site. As you can imagine this resulted in hundreds of images.
Not really knowing where to start I've selected a random set of photos, in no particular order, that show some my favourite sights of Camp Bestival 2016.
Enjoy!

Camp Bestival 2016 {A Family Review}

We've been back home for just over 24 hours after leaving Camp Bestival 2016 behind us in, a just starting to get a little bit damp, Dorset. Across the weekend we were blessed with blue sky and sunshine which increased the amount of sparkle from all the space age glitter festooning the revellers across the festival site. And what a site it was again. This was our seventh year attending Camp Bestival and still there was enough to keep all four of us busy, satisfied and happy that we had had a complete weekend. The children, now 10 and 8, find new things to love every year but still enjoy repeating past experiences - you just can't get tired of Camp Bestival!

We arrived at around 10am on Thursday and easily entered the site through the well marked lanes around Lulworth Castle. Parking up was straightforward, a £25 cost, and once we had our bands safely on our wrists, and the £10 programme pack bought, we began the task of getting all of our gear to the campsite. Arriving a little bit earlier this year there was more choice of free areas but we headed to our usual camping spot that the children were familiar with - now they are older they are able to independently walk to the campsite toilets and collect water for us. Portable toilets were set up throughout the camp site and we never had more than 4 people head of us in a queue at any point across the weekend. There were times the paper and hand sanitiser were out so always be prepared and have those on you.

Once camp was set up we chilled for a bit, made some plans from the programme and later explored the site. The Magic Meadow is open on the Thursday evening with plenty of eateries, bars and entertainment going on to whet your appetite for the three day weekend to come.

Across the long weekend we struck a good balance of things for us to do as a family, as one parent with the children and as a solo adult. This post is going to concentrate on just a fraction of the things that we experienced at Camp Bestival for the children and as a family.

Yoga Festivals ~ Summer 2016

Last Tuesday I went to my weekly yoga class to be met by my yoga teacher who looked calmer, more chilled out, smilier and generally floating more than usual. The reason? She had just just returned from a weekend spent at a glorious yoga festival called Yoga Connects.

Here she had experienced a range of classes and workshops with like-minded people and listening to her positive words got me fired up with excitement ready for the summer ahead. Six weeks of summer holiday ready to be filled with fun times with my children, new memories made for my little family, a new yoga festival and fun festival times at Camp Bestival. At the latter I will be escaping for a little 'me time' in the Slow Motion area which, coincidentally, is ran in conjunction with the team behind Yoga Connects - so how perfect does that sound?!

Camp Bestival 2016 ~ Last Minute Bits to Take!

With just over three weeks to go until Camp Bestival 2016 opens its gates my thoughts are turning to the arduous task of packing! Now, with six previous Camp Bestivals, and countless camping trips, under our belts I have the campsite packing list pretty much sussed, plus some necessary festival extras. But...there are always some last minute bits to take.

Extra toiletries to keep you super fresh, electric toothbrushes to ensure no slacking on the dental hygiene, covers to keep those brushes clean from any bugs - creeping ones and airborne, sun cream, bite soothers and travel sickness bands.

1. Skin Genius - Festival Rescue Kit

2. ERiiS - Sun Protection Milk

3. Zap-It! - Mosquito Bite Relief

4. Steripod - Toothbrush Protector

5. SEA-BAND - Travel Sickness Relief

Great for keeping the children's teeth clean is the Bruah Baby KidzSonic toothpaste. With a 2 minute flashing disco light timer and 30 second pulse reminder to move anround the mouth I know my kiddos will have clean teeth whilst out camping and festivalling this year!

6. Brush Baby - Spearmint Toothpaste

7. Brush Baby - KidzSonic Toothbrush

Taking a tween or teenager? Pack them their own special bag of No Junk from Skin Genius including facial wash, face wash, clarifying lotion, tissues, plasters, mints, toothbrush protector and lavender.

And don't forget these extras from Home Bargain's Festival Range with prices starting from 12p!

Tissues - 12p, Face and body wipes - 39p, Deodorant wipes - 39p, Anti-bacterial wipes - 79p, Body wipes - 79p, Dry shampoo - 79p, Eyelashes - 89p, Floral headband - £1.49, Welly socks - £1.99, Cooler bag - £1.99, Trilby - £1.99, Sunglasses - £1.99

So, I'll be making some extra room in the luggage to take these bits along to keep us all fresh, clean and looking the part.

It's not too late to join the fun down in Lulworth from 28th - 31st July.

Everything you need to know about tickets is here

x x x

.

Camp Bestival 2016 ~ A jam-packed guide!

The excitement is rising in the house of 76sunflowers as we count down the weeks to our annual trip to the best family festival on earth - Camp Bestival.
My children have grown up with Camp Bestival in their blood, having attended since 2010, and it is their summer highlight every year. I remember that first festival nervously taking a two and four year old not really knowing what to expect but if I had this toddler survival guide I would have been much calmer!

One thing we did get right in 2010 was the fancy dress and I had my little pirate and fairy happily bum shuffling and toddling around that year. Now, fancy dress at Camp Bestival is a huge thing, not essential - my boy has no desire to dress up anymore - but you will see it everywhere. Should you be short of ideas for this year's Space theme then the Fancy Dress Festival Guru herself, aka Tattooed Mummy, has a great post here for inspiration - I'm hoping she goes as one of the Clangers!

Over the years we have perfected our packing and preparation, and tweaked our list to suit our family as they grow older, but this list from Penny would have saved us a lot of time and is a great starting point if going to your first festival.

Once the packing lists are done it is always a good idea to make some plans about what you all want to try and do across the long weekend. The site is packed full of entertainment for all ages and here is a selection of things that Sarah, from the Parenting Trials, is looking forward to this year including the biggest bouncy castle in the world!

Some first time festival goers may worry about the toilet situation but this post, will put you at ease, as well as giving you some other essential things to know or do.

Food is a hugely positive experience at Camp Bestival with an array of culinary delights to suit everybody's tastebuds. Louise and her Gorgeous Boys are licking their lips in anticipation of this delicious line up!

Despite the fantastic array of food on offer it is still useful to bring some food from home for breakfasts in the tent and picnics on site. Polly, from Enchanted Pixie, has some super ideas for feeding a family at a festival to help balance the budget and still enjoy a Mexican Burrito!

For some lovely images and a review of last year's festival take a look here and here.

I hope this has whetted your appetite to join us at Camp Bestival 2016!

x x x

Yoga & Festivals {Slow Motion at Camp Bestival 2016}

Tonight I floated home from my yoga class pausing to stand and watch the beautiful sunset. Every week I have witnessed a lush Yoga Sky and I always take a moment to take it all in.

I recently progressed from front room Yoga to proper classes, having said it would be something I would investigate following a gorgeous yoga session at last year's Camp Bestival, and it has been one of the best things I have done. Every week I have 90 minutes of pure chilled out indulgence for me where I can focus on my yoga practice and channel my thoughts to positivity and some spiritual relaxation. Already I feel more appreciative of the world, particularly apt in this current climate of political upset and human anger, and a bit more connected to it.

Yoga, and all that it stands for, goes hand in hand with festivals and chilling and tonight I counted the days and realised that Camp Bestival 2016 is now just 5 weeks away. Putting a bigger smile on my face was the announcement today that Bestival's holistic zone, Slow Motion, will be debuting at Camp Bestival and bringing with it The Huffington Post UK Yoga Shala with a range of yoga; Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga for all the family, Hip-Hop Yoga and Yoga for stress. Sessions will run from 8a.m. to 7p.m. each day and I feel it will be an area I will be frequenting a few times across the three festival days!

Yoga is fabulous to participate in at a festival and gives any of you Mamas, or Papas, out there a perfect escape for a little bit of 'me time'. The yoga tent is a great retreat from the noise and crowds and gives you time to reconnect to yourself and, from personal experience, will return you to your family re-energised and calmer!

If this looks like something you would enjoy there is more information on Slow Motion here.

If you haven't purchased your tickets for Camp Bestival yet everything you need is here.

Never been to Camp Bestival before and want to read a little more? Check out my past Camp Bestival posts here.

x x x

Our little festival dream {YardFest ~ Camp Bestival}

Just over a week ago my husband staged his very own little festival in a hidden away yard in deepest darkest Wiltshire; YardFest was a gathering of friends and families to celebrate life and remember a close friend who left us far too early.
Weeks, possibly months, of planning went into our little festival dream with many things having to feature. We thought about the things we have loved at Camp Bestival and planned them in, albeit on a much smaller scale; we wanted a stage and live music, food and a firepit, a place to camp, an activity for the children, toilets! The list went on.
The husband and his friend did an amazing job getting all the necessary elements in place; booking a band, setting up a stage on the back of a trailer, ordering in the portable loos, buying in beer and cider from a local brewery, building the fire and BBQ, making tables and seating, clearing the field for parking and camping - whilst I hit the Scrapstore for a bag of tulle and netting to make pompoms!
All in all it was a great success with everyone smiling, laughing, chatting, eating, drinking, dancing and chilling with like-minded happy people - definitely my kind of a festival.
Here is just a snippet of the memories we created at YardFest...

The word has spread and we have more people interested in coming next year to share in our little festival dream.
Whilst we plan for YardFest 2017 our much loved Camp Bestival team are preparing for this year's Outer Space adventures with Fatboy Slim, Jess Glynne, Dick and Dom and a whole galaxy of astronomical amusements.
And who knows one day we might be running something like this, captured beautifully on film by the Jansch clan...

x x x