glastonbury 2005

we were in india when we had our volunteer work permits organised for us by matt we soon took it for granted that we were on our way to the mystical isles of avalon where the 35th festival at glastonbury is held.

after a few pinta's of london ale we were on a bus westward.. after a few missed turns, trying to back up a 60 seater coach on a b-road is quite a feat, we saw the lanterns surrounding the festival site..

after a great revisit of our haunts, stone circle, stages and the cider bus we retired to our tents.. this was when the rain started.. and it didnt stop!

we had to evacuate our tents in the morning as otherwise we would of drowned, then after a morning shift we were back in the cosy dance tent watching some top class DJ's.

as for the rest of the weekend, dont want to go into too much detail becuase of legal reasons, but lots of ciders, late nights and good company.. great to hook up with friends by accident walking across a field for example

the best thing about glasto is the type of people you meet.. they are so funny, lots of nakedness and anything goes, it really does.. probably the closest you can get to india.. no boundaries, or racism, sexism..

this year was quite different, not only did my birthday fall on a monday, but we also worked which got us in free, which i loved and also there was a feeling a solidarity, determination that we were not gonna let the weather beat us.. in fact, i think some one must of been impressed upstairs as the weekends weather just got better and better..

favourite acts of 2005: the killers, alabama 3, fatboy slim, stereo mc's and coldplay

over and out, the badgers of somerset

jim

welsh cyder report 2005

From Friday May 28th to Sunday 30th May 2005 in a tiny hamlet in South Wales a very important event was held.

It was the Welsh Perry and Cider festival. With over 50 ciders and perry's to taste it took 6 professional judges to pick 2 ciders and 2 perries to win the Monkeyrat cider award 2005 (Wales).

The judges were:

Jimbo Monkeyrat - know for his years of tasting and supportng of the cider industry in England, Wales, France and even as far a field as India, ciders have gone through the Jimbo tasting school.

Fifi Monkeyrat - likes a drink or 2 and has a keen eye for picking the worst tasting ciders and perry's

Halvinator - Well after a record breaking month of beer tasting he was well up for judging our fine display of products

Robster - Know for his chosing of fine perries and ciders he didn't let us down this time

J.P. - Another keen judge, his cider taste have matured after a year of tasting. It did take him a while to get over the Glastonbury cider experiance, but great to have his honest opions of this years crops

Ness - From the West country this judge has had years of experinace in the cider industry and again vauable advice was given at this years festival

Most people might think that cider and perry is for drunks on a park bench, but we would like to squash this imagine and tell you some little know facts:

Natural cider is 100% fermented apple juice and contains no additives at all

Its environmentally friendly, with little packaging used and fruit trees from from sprays and fertilsers. and its a local drink so sustainable for local producers

And it really does taste great! - if you pick the right one

Its cheap, it only cost £1.50 a half and its all done from the barrel by hand

The judges had a great night and enjoyed the merriment and dancing with the local band.

Our winners were

Ciders:
Cynet - Swan cider
Yarlington Mill - Piston Broke Club

Perrys:
Nuff - Bragdy Brodyr farm
Blakeney Red - Seidr Dai

For more information please visit:
www.welshcider.co.uk

For more photos please visit halvin.co.uk - nice one halvinator! :)

Fi and Jim