© Croxj 2026
I am a little weary despite a good Sunday lunch followed by a decent night’s sleep, other than that pretty good, unlike some lightweights. A few days light exercise, some sunshine, beers and good company make for a nice little holiday.
A big thank you to Mr & Mrs B-bob, without whom I’d likely give up the event. Mr & Mrs Croxj for their efforts. Northern Man for his various contributions, including saving my life with a pork pie, they’re that good.
Said couples also turned up midweek enabling me to travel up Thursday, help erect fairyland on the only flat ground on the site, but also get the two GP tents up. We ended up with the top of the site mostly to ourselves.
Friday morning after stopping at the hell that was Aldi (no ice of course) I didn’t have much left to do on arrival but unpack the shopping and a bit more setting up. The air fryer was a masterstroke excepting it’s ability to cook a fried egg. My chillest bash ever.
Once it was dark fairyland looked pretty cool. Only the odd minor trip and one near fatal accident, prevented by a fortunate chair. It survived the weekend despite a good breeze and stumbling puffins. I may find something better next year.
I was asked more than once what we were going to do all weekend. I said the time passes pretty quickly, in both cases they looked unconvinced. A better and more accurate answer would have been “Meet people, talk to them, eat and drink”. We are blessed with some very entertaining puffins.
Saturday daytime we did the above. It was hot.
Saturday night was party time, the football was on, which virtually none of us were interested in, far more importantly they had a disco. I was dressed for it but running on empty. A free pint for every goal England scored. We managed to put a few quid behind the bar which was the main aim.
The Gate Hangs High is a lovely pub. The new owner has put a lot into it and all the staff I dealt with were very nice. The food last year wasn’t all that (New owner’s first year), now I’d class it as good to very good at the price. Restaurant staff were all very good, and sweet. Credit to the owner as I was sure it would end up as yet another hideous housing estate. I hope he’s making a decent amount running it. Taking all the rooms, as many pitches as we did, Saturday night and Sunday lunch should have been a good weekend for the pub, so fingers crossed. Just hope it doesn’t get too posh . . .
Sunday lunch was very good. Ate it all. Made me feel much better. It’s now £20, up from Windy’s £12 but that was a few years ago. It is well cooked and professionally presented, I couldn’t compare it to Windy’s, we always enjoyed his Sunday lunches.
Those who let me down, leaving me to reduce the size of MY table to 14 from 20 an hour before the reservation, mostly because they’re complete lightweights who can’t hold their drink. You are on the fucking list. I found a few waifs and strays to somewhat make up the numbers. I’m lucky the staff are so nice.
Many thanks to all those who one way or another make it a fun weekend. Love you all.
© Swiss Bob 2026
PS If anyone sees Mr Size Sixteen Carbon Footprint will you please tell him to get in touch/check his email. I’d like to refund him his room as the poor fellow couldn’t make it. We missed you!
