I'm only just settling back into my life here in Dubai and on Friday I'm heading home again. And I can't wait. A year ago DickyB got tickets for V Fest in Cheltenham. I've always wanted to go to a music festival. I've been to a lot of concerts but the only festival I've been to is Bamboozle when Asking were first together. An amazing day but I was really focused on a Ben rather than taking in the whole music festival vibe; also it's a different type of festival to V.
The line up this year is amazing and I was disappointed when Rick said there was no way we could go as we would only just be back after our extended holiday; that he couldn't take the time of work again. And much as I was disappointed I totally agreed with him and set to work thinking who we could offer these tickets to. I knew Bex couldn't go because the environment wouldn't be suitable for Ash. He's amazing but large concerts and that huge amount of people would be too stressful for him. There were a few people I had in my head but Rick said he'd rather try and sell them as they aren't cheap.
Imagine my delight when Rick was forced to tell me that he had decided that we are going back as a birthday surprise. He hadn't wanted to tell me before my birthday but between two things I actually forced him into having to tell me. The first thing was that I was trying to see if Ben and Sam could fly out to Dubai for my birthday; it turns out that Ben is in the studio but I wasn't aware of that. Then I was arranging a dinner with friends and needed Rick to agree to the Thursday or Friday. Turns out that we are flying early on Friday morning. So, instead of being presented with the tickets on Wednesday, my actual birthday, he had to tell me last week. Oops, sorry Rick. But I did actually cry. When he handed me the flight details I presumed that perhaps we were going away for the weekend, I've been talking about wanting to go to Petra, so I wondered if that was the plan. But nope, we are flying home. Happy, happy days. My poor hubby is doing a manic turn around. We fly out Friday and he returns to Dubai on Monday, whereas he's arranged for me to stay on a week and see my mum and Bex. How amazing is that.
What gets me though is how adept at hiding things from me my whole family is. There's me saying goodbye to Bex and pointing out that it's not too long until I see her at the beginning of November, so I won't be too sad and she knew all about it!! Then my uncle and aunt are in the loop and never let slip. Even the cat sitter was in on the surprise and didn't say anything when I saw him a week ago to get my key back. And I didn't have an inkling. Just because I wanted to go didn't mean that I expected this would happen. For goodness sake, we've just been home for six weeks how on earth can we go back after just three weeks. Well, we are!!!! I'm so excited.
So now it gets me onto clothes! What do I wear for a music festival?! Of course we are talking the UK here and predicting the weather is an inexact science, so I need to pack for at least two seasons. I'm going with summer/autumn. And me being me, I've been googling festival wear. It's great, I love it. There's an obviously hippy vibe; yes, I do have flowers for my hair. And then there's a more rock vibe which suits me perfectly. The only thing you won't see me in is shorts. My legs are far too old for that. Which I'm fine with; to be honest I never really wore shorts any way. Occasionally with heels but not during the day. I never really felt confident enough to wear them and always admire the girls that can.
My packing list is complete with a few band tees thrown in and a baseball cap, girly dresses and flower headbands. Boots, sandals, flip flops and converse are all going, as is my combat jacket and a checked shirt. Trust me, every Sarah which might want to come out and play depending on the weather, will have ample opportunity. The great thing is that I'm only living out of my case for a week and that's completely do-able.
It's a quick trip. Long enough to top myself up with some Bex Love and in return top her up with some Mama Love. It's a whirlwind of a trip in which I'm going to experience my first festival and I intend to absorb every moment and make memories. It's long enough to see my lovely mum for a couple of days; Bex and I are driving to spend the night with her. When I mentioned it she said "Lovely, I knew I was seeing you again. I just didn't know when." That in itself heals my soul and feeds my heart.
So for me I get to fulfil two of my greatest passions in life. I get to see my beautiful Bex and adorable Mum; and I get to listen to some incredible bands and musicians. What more than a girl ask for.
If music be the food of love, play on.
The line up this year is amazing and I was disappointed when Rick said there was no way we could go as we would only just be back after our extended holiday; that he couldn't take the time of work again. And much as I was disappointed I totally agreed with him and set to work thinking who we could offer these tickets to. I knew Bex couldn't go because the environment wouldn't be suitable for Ash. He's amazing but large concerts and that huge amount of people would be too stressful for him. There were a few people I had in my head but Rick said he'd rather try and sell them as they aren't cheap.
Imagine my delight when Rick was forced to tell me that he had decided that we are going back as a birthday surprise. He hadn't wanted to tell me before my birthday but between two things I actually forced him into having to tell me. The first thing was that I was trying to see if Ben and Sam could fly out to Dubai for my birthday; it turns out that Ben is in the studio but I wasn't aware of that. Then I was arranging a dinner with friends and needed Rick to agree to the Thursday or Friday. Turns out that we are flying early on Friday morning. So, instead of being presented with the tickets on Wednesday, my actual birthday, he had to tell me last week. Oops, sorry Rick. But I did actually cry. When he handed me the flight details I presumed that perhaps we were going away for the weekend, I've been talking about wanting to go to Petra, so I wondered if that was the plan. But nope, we are flying home. Happy, happy days. My poor hubby is doing a manic turn around. We fly out Friday and he returns to Dubai on Monday, whereas he's arranged for me to stay on a week and see my mum and Bex. How amazing is that.
What gets me though is how adept at hiding things from me my whole family is. There's me saying goodbye to Bex and pointing out that it's not too long until I see her at the beginning of November, so I won't be too sad and she knew all about it!! Then my uncle and aunt are in the loop and never let slip. Even the cat sitter was in on the surprise and didn't say anything when I saw him a week ago to get my key back. And I didn't have an inkling. Just because I wanted to go didn't mean that I expected this would happen. For goodness sake, we've just been home for six weeks how on earth can we go back after just three weeks. Well, we are!!!! I'm so excited.
So now it gets me onto clothes! What do I wear for a music festival?! Of course we are talking the UK here and predicting the weather is an inexact science, so I need to pack for at least two seasons. I'm going with summer/autumn. And me being me, I've been googling festival wear. It's great, I love it. There's an obviously hippy vibe; yes, I do have flowers for my hair. And then there's a more rock vibe which suits me perfectly. The only thing you won't see me in is shorts. My legs are far too old for that. Which I'm fine with; to be honest I never really wore shorts any way. Occasionally with heels but not during the day. I never really felt confident enough to wear them and always admire the girls that can.
My packing list is complete with a few band tees thrown in and a baseball cap, girly dresses and flower headbands. Boots, sandals, flip flops and converse are all going, as is my combat jacket and a checked shirt. Trust me, every Sarah which might want to come out and play depending on the weather, will have ample opportunity. The great thing is that I'm only living out of my case for a week and that's completely do-able.
It's a quick trip. Long enough to top myself up with some Bex Love and in return top her up with some Mama Love. It's a whirlwind of a trip in which I'm going to experience my first festival and I intend to absorb every moment and make memories. It's long enough to see my lovely mum for a couple of days; Bex and I are driving to spend the night with her. When I mentioned it she said "Lovely, I knew I was seeing you again. I just didn't know when." That in itself heals my soul and feeds my heart.
So for me I get to fulfil two of my greatest passions in life. I get to see my beautiful Bex and adorable Mum; and I get to listen to some incredible bands and musicians. What more than a girl ask for.
If music be the food of love, play on.