Sunday, 14 July 2013

OWMD at the Ely Folk Festival



I hope you'll excuse another self-indulgent post - this time the Ouse Washes Molly Dancers were alive and kicking at the Ely Folk Festival this very hot weekend. Well, the very hot Saturday at any rate. They said it was 30 degrees, but Jim says it was 42 by his car read-out, and it felt every single one of those degrees, believe me! The header photo is me collapsed waiting for us to dance up at the Festival site.

We met with all the other Morris and Molly sides at the Cathedral and we processed through the town. Lots and lots of well-wishers, tourists and locals, clapping, waving, and taking photographs and videos.



Every so often each side would pause and dance, until the next side caught up with them, and on we'd go. We musicians played continuously "Ain't Misbehavin'". Other sides, of course, had their own 'processing' music.



Once the procession had finished three sides including us began their dance sets up at the Cathedral.


                                    Ouse Washes Musos, James, Jan, Nicky , me, Steve.


Nicky playing for the childrens' Broom Dance, you can also spot Bryan in his newest frock and hat.


                    The Witchmen from Kettering. Excellent dancers and a remarkable sight.


               And we couldn't forget the Cathedral (though I nearly did!) Excuse Margaret's armpit.



Meeting up with Liz from Boggart's Breakfast Molly. Liz lives in Sheffield and we meet up at melodeon workshops in Oxfordshire! It's a small world!


Here we are up at the Festival site. Managed to nip into the tent to hear some great performers in between dances. It was SOoooooooooooo HOT!!!!!



By the time we got up to the festival site my feet were so sore and blistered I had to take my boots off and hence here I am rather naughtily playing in my stocking feet. And yes, Georgia, I will admit - those are your socks!


Could have done with my sunglasses but they won't fit with my mask ...have to fit them with shades!




And there you have it. A great day out, very hot, blistered feet but great fun. I met up with a number of friends from all over England who dance, or play, it's quite amazing how the same old faces keep showing up!! Viv, I did see Green Dragon Molly but didn't know who you were better luck next time!

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful weekend in the sun, by gumb, we've waited long enough for it, haven't we!
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

18 comments:

  1. Dc14 July 2013 at 16:19

    Goodness me, don't know how you all managed, I would have fainted. Fantastic costumes on all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne14 July 2013 at 16:45

      Touch and go towards the end, Dc, which is why the boots had to come off! Yes, the costumes are a big part of the spectacle.

      Delete
  2. JoZart Designs14 July 2013 at 19:18

    I really enjoyed your picture of the day but my how I could feel that HEAT!!! Buy yourself some magicool spray from Boots... it really is magic instant heat relief. It goes everywhere with me this weather. It does what it says on the can and that's quiite a lot!
    Re my shed FULL ... I'm still feeling guilty that my friend will arrive over the next week and claim her old furniture. Well she'll just have to make do with the toad!
    Jo x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne14 July 2013 at 20:24

      Hahahaha! After all that time it should be the same as 'finders' keepers'! But the toad, yes, she could adopt the toad! And thanks for that great suggestion - never heard of it before but will be looking out for it next time I'm in town. Would have been GREAT to have it on Saturday. If I say I drank 4 litres of water and only went to the loo ONCE that tells you how fast we were dehydrating! Lx

      Delete
  3. Gilly Tee14 July 2013 at 20:27

    Your having a really busy time recently aren't you. Great pictures.
    Gillx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne14 July 2013 at 20:35

      Thanks Gill, yes, time for a bit of taking things slowly, methinks! Lx

      Delete
  4. Vintage Sheet Addict14 July 2013 at 20:52

    You really are dancing and making merry through the summer aren't you! Glad your having a ball! :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne14 July 2013 at 22:07

      Thanks Ada, I think I shall be taking it easy for a while now! Lx

      Delete
  5. Connie15 July 2013 at 02:19

    Hello Lynne, You look marvelous! I know that I have said it before, but "I love your hat", it is amazingly cool. Those socks are fab, too. Do you get tried of living out of a tent or camper, or does the fun and friends make you forget your comfy bed. I love these festival photos and feel like I'm getting to know your friends better, as well. I think that you have found the fountain of youth . . . you can not grow old when you're having that much fun!
    Lynne, if you haven't visited since I started my give-a-way, please come over and get your name in the hat.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne15 July 2013 at 08:20

      To be honest, Connie, this was the first time (last weekend) that I spent two nights in the the 'pod' attached to Alex's camper -van, and yes, I couldn't do it for a week. I was VERY tired on the Saturday so slept very well, but the Friday night I wasn't so comfy, because I couldn't turn over smoothly enough on the bed Jim loaned me to take with me. This weekend we didn't camp at all, we were only there for one day. I do find it hard going at times, my back doesn't stand up well to prolonged standing about, or trudging around town in the heat with a fiddle case slung round my neck! I am getting a bit past doing the camping thing I think, but the dance and the music and the company - at the moment - outweighs the discomfort. Lxx

      Delete
  6. The Faerie Factory15 July 2013 at 12:21

    What a wonderful post, am loving those hats all so colourful ~ Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lynne15 July 2013 at 12:34

    Thanks Sarah, it is an amazing sight - even when you are part of it the massed ranks quite takes your breath away. Lx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Patricia15 July 2013 at 22:33

    Lovely post Lynne. I don't know how you coped with the heat though. You all looked to be having such fun.
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne16 July 2013 at 00:32

      Lots of cold water, Patricia! Yes, it was fun, and very very hot! Be doing it all over again at Towersey at the end of August - who knows what the weather will be like?Lx

      Delete
  9. Cathy at Potterjotter16 July 2013 at 12:20

    Crikey woman! You'll be in danger of collapsing if this carries on! Looks like fantastic fun though. Am starting to look forward to seeing Bryan's latest frock! Love those Witchmen too! xCathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne16 July 2013 at 17:37

      I know, I shall have to pace myself! And I will let Bryan know he has a wardrobe fan. (That's not the same as a closet fan, you'll note, that's far too creepy!) The witchmen were very.... physical, is the best way I can describe them without offending! Lx

      Delete
  10. Annie Cholewa16 July 2013 at 21:39

    It all looks like fabulous fun, but way too hot for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynne16 July 2013 at 21:56

      I cannot tell a lie - I was .....HOT! (and not in an alluring way, either!)

      Delete

I'd love you to comment, maybe join in the conversation - I always try and reply if I can.Anonymous spammers take note: you will not be published. Genuine posters having difficulty will be accepted. Thanks so much for visiting!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)