Latitude
Thursday, July 16, 2020
The obligatory Latitude sign photo 2015I'd be heading to Latitude this coming weekend if it hadn't been for Covid 19. I've been every year since 2015, either for the whole weekend or just visiting for a day.
My first Latitude 2015
We've always been pretty lucky with the weather, only encountering rain on a few occasions, and even then it was fleeting. Our days fell into a routine of watching comedy acts in the morning after a cheese and ham toastie for breakfast.
Sipping beer in the sun 2016
Then we'd find some music to listen to whilst sipping beer from recycled, refundable cups, and people watching as much as enjoying the many and varied acts.
Poetry in the Literary Tent 2019
We'd often find our way to the literary tent on the first evening, after a wander around The Faraway Forest, visiting the friendship tree, and admiring the art installations in the woods.
Welcome 2016
I miss the familiar walk down through 'the village', passed the security checks and over the bridge into the main area, which grows with each passing year. The dusty ground, the hum of people, the smells that linger in the air from the many, many food stalls.
I miss the feeling of being free to do whatever I like, having nowhere in particular I have to be at any particular time.
The blue skies of 2016
I love the freedom of camping, the simplicity of it. I go with teabags and porridge pots, and a few snacks, and just enough clothes to keep me warm in the evenings and cool during the day - with the necessary garments in case of wet weather. Toiletries are kept to a minimum. It's very freeing, just having just enough.
New elements of 2018
It's lovely to be outside for so much of the day, and sitting outside our tents at the end of the evening, usually sipping beer and eating biscuits, is such a treat.
In the Woods 2016
Giant crochet flowers in the Faraway Forest 2016
In the Woods 2015
The Stereophonics 2019
Smoked filled bubbles in the evening 2019
Ward Thomas 2017
Comedy 2016
The variety of acts is huge, I've seen so many different bands and artists, comedians and performers, some I'd heard of, others that were unknown, all of which take me back to the fields of Henham Park when they crop up in everyday life.
Latitude is different every year but also feels so very familiar. I can't wait to go back...
10 comments
That sounds amazing... a festival I would enjoy I think :) It's a shame you can't go this year but I at least you have the happy memories until the next time :)
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty mainstream but has something for most people, I think. I'm currently putting together a Latitude playlist on iTunes to play this weekend :)
Deletexx
I always look forward to your Latitude posts. I had an email from the organisers to tell me it wasn't on, which makes me think we might have been on their list of proposed traders. Maybe I'll see you there next year! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome to see you there next year!
Deletexx
It's such a shame that so many events have been cancelled this year. It does sound amazing, no wonder you have such a wonderful time when you go.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it'll be different next year, unless a vaccination has been found for Covid 19, but I intend to go no matter what. I do hope life looks a little more normal by then.
Deletexx
Latitude sounds like an amazing festival, and it must be poignant looking back on previous editions and missing out this year. It is sad, really. I miss the feeling of being free, in general, and I don't think I'll ever get used - or even want to, for that matter - to what everybody keeps calling the 'new normal'. I keep hoping for a miracle! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt really is excellent fun, and it's such a shame it (and many other events like it) had to be cancelled. I'm at a point when I don't really know what the rules are at the moment, I'm just staying put for now, listening to my Latitude playlist and imagining I'm there.
DeleteI guess things won't go back to normal until we have a vaccine, and them covid19 will be just another illness like flu.
xx
C has been melancholic for Latitude ever since lockdown started, he's been going on about how much he was looking forward to it for (ever).
ReplyDeleteI'm sad we're missing it this year; it was a pinnacle of summer and really earned it's status as a free weekend xx
I missed it so much - including spending the weekend with you guys.
Deletexx
Thank you for taking the time to comment x