Monday 6 May 2013

Rochester Sweeps Festival 2013 - 17 of 52 weeks of happy

Good evening

Wow what a weekend - it seems only best to combine two posts into one - a wonderful weekend providing the 17th post of 52 happy ones;

Rochester Sweeps Festival has been running in its current form for 33 years now - its become the largest May Day celebration of its kind in the country.

As well as music, workshops, stalls, a funfair and more street food than you could ever imagine - there are 60 Morris sides dancing in the street at various points over the 3 days.

We arrived on Friday evening after a uneventful drive down - traffic was light - it all seemed to be heading in the other direction! When we got to the campsite we soon found the others - a huge space had been saved and we were camping together as a group.  Once the tent was up - it was time for dinner. Fish & chips (well just chips for me) were bought and soon consumed along with the first of many pints of cider!
Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny and once breakfasts of bacon rolls were consumed, costumes put on and for the men, faces blacked - we headed down the hill and into town.
I am not sure who took this picture of me - but I found it on our FB page today and decided I rather liked it - though slightly windswept and not smiling then, I can assure you I loved every minute of Saturday;


More photos - just one more of me though I expect more to appear once people return home and get time to upload them;





 Lots of fun was had, dances performed and just 2 sticks got broken that day!! Oh and we even managed to time our lunch break so we could go and watch our friends the Bounty Hounds perform in the castle grounds;


We had a group barbecue in the evening and then some of us headed over to the school hall to a ceilidh which was rather fun. I didn't have a very late night - my body was shattered and was rather keen to climb into my sleeping bag for a good few hours sleep.

We headed back into town on Sunday morning for our final dance slots - finishing up near the castle and dancing under the most gorgeous cherry trees in full blossom;



 Here's the view upwards;


 Just gorgeous - a very happy view indeed.

I had a wonderful weekend - good company, good beer/cider, good food and good fun - roll on 2014!

Oh and in case you wondered, those boys of mine had fun too. They spent a lads weekend with their Dad and part of it was spent Segway racing in Norfolk;


Apparently it was great fun - even though many crashes were had and bottoms landed on!

See you soon

xxx Vicki xxx






12 comments:

moonstruckcreations said...

Looks like a brilliant time was had by all!

And weren't we blessed with some terrific weather?

Helenxx

Sue in Suffolk said...

Phew I'm worn out just looking at your pictures. sounds like a brilliant time had by all.

Ladybird Diaries said...

What a fantastic weekend! Love the black and white picture of you, it's great.
M x

Lizzy said...

Wow! That looks so much fun. A great weekend for camping too.

forgetmenotsblue said...

Looks like you had a lovely weekend great photos :)

harmony and rosie said...

Yay, looks like a fun weekend for everyone. Love that photo of you!

greenthumb said...

Wow looks and sounds like you had a fabulous weekend, bet the boys had fun also.

topchelseagirl said...

Looks great fun and I love the black and purple combo.

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Some great pictures there, and you were obviously blessed with the wonderful weather we had too!

Unknown said...

Oh my what memories you have brought back for me ... I danced twice at Rochester!

It was fabulous, so many Morris Sides ... did you Loose Women? They are a fabulous side!! Did you get up early for the sunrise on Sunday?

xxx

katysclutter said...

well done, looks like great fun!

: Green Chic Life : said...

Brilliant time! I've never celebrated May Day! Can you believe that? It just isn't the thing where I live and I can never find anyone to trade baskets, etc. with!
I came across your blog and am your newest follower. I would love if you’d visit : the daily savant : and follow back (if you like)!

I have a Betsey Johnson giveaway on now! I also have a choose-your-prize jewelry giveaway going on now, as well!

: signe
: the daily savant :