Westonbirt Arboretum: Treefest 2013

My experience of Treefest were somewhat mixed, mainly because of poor organisation by the promoters. Having arrived at 1230 hr in good time to see a falconry display at 1300 hr, it took a full 45 minutes to navigate their hopeless ticketing system, thus missing nearly all of the display, and a further 45 minutes to then get hold of some cash to replace the ticket price due to their one card reader having crashed, after being painfully slow to begin with.

I was in time to see Quack-Quack, a peregrine/saker falcon, and enjoyed looking at all the stalls and side-shows which mostly had a wood-carving or related theme. There were also traction engines, food and craft stalls and a Music Tent, featuring local acts from the Gloucestershire area. By far the best of the acts that I saw was Beth Porter and the Availables, pictured above. She sang and played guitar, cello, ukulele and recorder, with a full band including saxophone and viola. Based in Bath, she has also played on albums and concerts with the likes of Jim Moray, Eliza Carthy, Peter Gabriel, The Unthanks and Kula Shaker.

My spirits were revived over paella carne and Stroud Organic, and I saw all of the second falconry display, which included a second peregrine/saker called Wurzel and a Harris hawk named Rupert. On the way back to the car I found one of the Bristol Gromit sculptures, Eldoradog.

L.
2.9.2013

Blip #1047
Consecutive Blip #000
Day #1249

Alternatives:
Quack-Quack
Crocodile
Diamond Queen
Rupert

Lenses: Pentax 18-55mm, Sigma 70-300mm

Westonbirt series

Lozarhythm Of The Day:
Beth Porter - Time (2012)
Beth Porter and the Availables visit Songs From The Shed in a temporary shed backstage at Larmer Tree festival.

One year ago: Yoda (Chippenham River Festival)(Eagle Owl)