Ramblin' Man

The annual heavy metal festival takes place this weekend in Mote Park, enjoyed by thousands of fans mainly of a particular age group and style of dress but nevertheless a fascinating occasion that brings crowds of people to the town. It also brings conflict in that the music booms over the town for two and a half days, drifting on the prevailing south westerly over Bearsted. So it's a love hate relationship, love because of the enjoyment it obviously gives and hate because of the booming bass and percussion that throbs away over two or more days.

Mind you, those staying in the tented "glamping" have not had it easy. It was a wet old afternoon and evening and the previous evening had not been good either. The morning sun must have been welcome as a brief respite from the inclement weather.

These tents created quite a visual impact as we rounded the corner in Mote Park on our way into town for an anniversary coffee and cake. I like the way the hessian fence has come down in the middle of the shot allowing you into the scene and giving a glimpse of people going about their morning activities.

Mind you, the rain didn't help me at the allotment. I was got rather wet digging potatoes, picking beans, beetroots and courgettes and doing a bit of weeding. The fair weather gardeners disappeared as the first drops fell.

A lovely evening meal to celebrate 15 years; chicken balti preceded by snacks and some rather hot stuffed green chillies. A bottle of prosecco helped the evening along too. A much different day to the soaring temperatures and high humidity of that day in 2002.