Brilliant Galtres Festival!

This weekend we went to Galtres Festival - a small-to-medium family-friendly festival in Crayke, North Yorkshire.

 

And what a wonderful weekend we had! The weather was.....errr...mixed (pretty rainy with a glimpse of sunshine on Sunday) but that couldn't put us off, as we got stuck into mud, cider, food and music! The festival's roots are as a beer festival, and there were over 100 beers and 35 ciders to choose from, so we were well catered for, and the local food on offer was far superior to other festivals I've attended.

We went with my brother and his family, camped in the convenient family field and joined thousands of others to listen to music, eat and drink well, and generally chill out.



The festival is very good for families, with lots of things for children of all ages, from Bollywood dancing to drum workshops, movie making to talent shows, and a really safe and friendly feel to the whole affair - we were happy to let our 10 and 11 yr olds roam freely, knowing they'd be able to find us easily if necessary. Our plan was to secure a sofa (yes, a sofa...) for the family in the brilliant Arts Barge tent - a large marquee just like a living room, complete with sofas, standard lamps and a really homely feel. The fact that it had tea and cakes at one end, and bacon butties / curries at the other end of the tent was a real bonus - and to top it off, fantastic music from midday to midnight and beyond. We loved it, somewhere to relax, and a base for the festival. 

That's not to say we didn't venture out and enjoy the other offerings though - the Firkin tent was home to great acoustic acts, whereas the 2 main stages hosted folk to punk, through rock and pop.

There was even a "G factor" talent contest for young people from 9 - 19 on the Satiurday, with the winner playing the Duke stage on Sunday. My older son was performing in this - both as a solo act and as part of a band, and loved it, even though he didn't win. What a chance, to perform at a festival aged 10!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWG-ZxVmFGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdcX41OuO9o

My favourite act of the weekend was Martin Stephenson of the Daintees (apart from my son, of course!)  - he did a brilliant acoustic set and had us all in fits of laughter with his ad libbing and random observations! Billy Bragg and Adam Ant were also true professionals, entertaining and drawing the crowds. Other highlights were the Arts Barge collaboration on main stage and in the Arts Barge Tent, and Sophie Mac doing an open mike session.

We'll definitely be back next year, in fact I'm booking my "early bird ticket" as we speak....

 

http://www.galtresfestival.org.uk/shop/products.cfm?ProductTypeID=220&Open=0

Weight loss - I wish!

So I checked my BMI - sadly I'm firmly in the "overweight" category - not great.....

Losing weight would be a really good idea for me, especially as I have arthritis, so maybe I should give it a go? I came across this website - Jenny Craig UK - which offers to deliver healthy meals and give advice to those trying to slim.

What's more they have a competition to win a months subscription (and money towards a bike!) at the moment - just ask a nutrition question for them to answer!

So here's my question:

How to I combine weight loss or maintenance of a healthy weight with cooking family meals when the boys have very different nutritional requirements to me?

Here's the link to the competition:

http://www.jennycraig.co.uk/tips-blog/blog-home.aspx

Here's hoping I win a chance to lose some weight!

Capture The Colour....

http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/holidays/capture-the-colour/

Travel supermarket have a photo competition at the moment entitled "Capture The Colour" - so here's my entry!
The five colours are white, green, yellow, blue and red, and the photos should demonstrate these colours - there are loads of good (and very professional) entries so far, and as I'm very much someone who takes photos for fun and to capture family life, I doubt I'll win - but the winners of each colour category get an ipad, and the overall winner £2000 to spend on travel, so it's worth a go!

White:

This photo was taken from our chalet bedroom whilst on holiday in Austria earlier this year, soon after sunrise. There had been loads of fresh snow, but the day dawned bright, and I was so excited as I looked out of the window and saw all the fresh powder...I couldn't wait to get out skiing!

Green:

This photo was actually taken more than 10 years ago on our honeymoon in South Africa - and I had to scan it into my computer, as it was taken on good old fashioned film! I love this photo of a cheetar, gazing at me through the surprisingly green undergrowth. it was taken with a zoom lens, though if I'm being honest, it was not a completely wild cheetar, as the photo was taken in a compound....

Yellow:

This photo was taken in Southwold, in Suffolk, one of our favourite holiday spots (see previous posts!). This beach hut nestles cheekily amongst other tasteful, pastel painted, maritime coloured huts - a shout-out to individuality, painted dark brown and bright yellow, and appropriately named "Go Bananas"!
Of course the typical British storm clouds in the background just add to the atmosphere...


Blue:

Of course I had to have a sunset photo in somewhere, and this is the lovely St Vincent and the Grenadines, with a fishing boat floating serenely on an ink blue sea, and silhouetted against a multi-coloured sky. A peaceful and relaxing photo!

Red:

This colour was a little more challenging, but in the end I decided on this photo - a trip to Wembley to see our beloved "Reds", York City, get promoted back into the football league! The photo just shows our happiness and relief at finally returning to the league - a wonderful day!

As part of the cometition I have to link to 5 other bloggers - this could be tricky as I don't actually know any other bloggers! Still, there are a few that I follow, so I'll add some links...

http://fun-as-a-gran.blogspot.co.uk/

http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

http://giventodistractingothers.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.thestylerawr.com/

http://www.superlucky.co.uk/