After such a successful Sunday we were all looking forward to the final day – Monumental Monday.
Even though we knew that we would all be parting company and the fun and frolics would soon be over, we were determined to make it a fantastic day.
Now on the Monday the stalls and music don’t start till a little later. However we were on the farm bus at 10am and hit the site at around 1010.
So much to buy
Literally nowhere was open and there was nothing going on. It was amazing though as we managed to get a lot of location photos without them being swamped with people. This was a total bonus!
The Colonial Club
The Family’s favourite place
A little French Rendezvous
Moonshine Glade
Le Monde Electrique
We headed down to the main arena as we all wanted to see the Lindyhop experience (and take part) and then chill out to the Bedford Big Band.
Sounded like a good plan to me and we settled into our fold up chairs and chatted whilst we waited.
At 1200 the Lindyhop experience came on and wanted to teach everyone the ‘Big Apple’
The Big Apple
This is a solo dance so it was ideal for all of us. Maxine, Gary, Little Chick and I all joined a big circle and waited to listen to the instructions. Now as I have already explained, Little Chick has dyspraxia and no sense of rhythm. I have great rhythm and timing however I am getting on a bit, am too heavy and have no stamina.
We gave it our best
But we gave it a go.
Confused Caragh…..
Charleston step, Charleston arms, rusty dusty, slapping knees…. well Little Chick lost the plot, I lost my breath and we both gave up.
It all got a bit much!
Max and Gary continued right to the end and were bloody fabulous!
Although we didn’t intend to, we stayed the whole afternoon in the Main Arena. Gypfunk were just amazing as were the Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys.
Gypfunk
Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys
It was at this point that Maxine and Gary decided that they needed to start their 4+ hour drive home. It was such a shame to see them go as they had been the life and soul of the party. They were eager to come back the next year and this meant the absolute world to me.
All the anxiety I had suffered from, worrying that people were going to have a good time was all unnecessary. They had all had the most wonderful time and wanted to do it all again.
Living the best life
RESULT!!
Time was really ticking on for us. We went along to the 50s stage at the Control Tower. Now normally I spend a lot of the weekend here but this was actually the first time I had been there over the whole festival.
I watched my friends Mick and Nicki jiving away and managed to get a few good pictures.
Mick and Nicki
Then Jenny and Dickie came along and we had pictures together before I shot them whilst dancing. It was such a great sight to see and Phil Haley and his Comments were a fantastic live act to finish off with.
My Vintage Idol
These two make my Twinwood special, every year!
Jiving Aces
Sadly the bus came all too soon to get us and we went back to the farm to pack up our belongings and get in our cars for the journey home.
It is a little strange really.
He scrubs up alright!
We are only a 25 minute drive from the festival site however we would miss out on so many acts and great entertainment if we stayed at home every night.
Luckily it means that the journey home is not a very long one at all.
All the Ladies
In fact we got home in less than half an hour, picking up a takeaway on the way home.
The perfect end to a perfect weekend!
All I can say is ROLL ON NEXT YEAR!!!!
Till next time
SPSG xx