Bristol Balloon Fiesta and Yatton Flower Show August 2007

We went to the Balloon Festival again this year and the weather was good for it, which meant all 102 balloons went up on time. We took a blanket and a little picnic and settled on the grass to watch - there were a few new ones about. We especially enjoyed the offering from Monster.com!

The next day was the Yatton Horticultural Society summer show. We didn't have any plants to put in but Steve, Helen and Anna all entered some photographs. Helen did the best with two firsts and a two seconds out of four classes.

Helen then had to spend her prize money on a round of ice creams!

Sidmouth 4th - 5th August 2007

I left Helen at home and went down to Sidmouth with Roger to experience a taste of the renowned Folk Festival.

We pitched our two little tents at Kingsdown Tails campsite where you can pick up a cheap bus into town, which returns every half hour up to half midnight.

It's well worth a visit, if you've never been, especially with good weather. All along the seafront you can find little bands, dancers, stalls, entertainers, musicians etc performing for free. Crowds of people wander around, many colourfully dressed, or in traditional garb.

The pubs are packed and most have spaces reserved for itinerant musicians, who plonk themselves down, have a drink, and just jam along with each other. There's also official venues which you have to pay to enter.

Rog & I had a great time drinking it all in (the atmosphere, that is - very little alcohol was consumed, honest!) and on Sunday morning we went for two hour walk up the coast to Branscombe and back.
Steve