Stirrin' Blog

Bristol Children's Festival 14th August 2007

Hello Food Fanatics!

Well, this time dearest Mama is here and she could write her own blog, but she said that my last effort was just so brilliant that it merits another go. She’s just being lazy? Yes I thought so too, readers, but lets keep it under wraps for now – I’m quite enjoying this little space to vent my diaratical culinary fury.

Anyway, I’ve been charged with telling you a bit about our mission to Bristol’s Children’s fair the other weekend. Now, I’ve had a quick read of the old blogs posted here, and I’ve noticed they are somewhat repetitive, so if I miss bits and bobs out, please feel free to fill in the gaps with your own imaginations. Go crazy blog fans! Although you should remember at all times that I am afraid of sharks, and that dragons don’t exist in real life.

Anyway, Bristol; we got to the site a few hours before our first demo and were immediately struck by how well organised and fun the place looked. Mum got her own tent to demonstrate in (always good for the ego), and on arrival was shown in, and presented with a beautifully decorated chalkboard displaying demo times. We had arrived on day 2 of the festival, so everything else was up and running when we got there, but even given that, the whole thing seemed so well put together and ran like clockwork. Congrats to Arabella and Haggis (juggler extraordinaire with his partner Charlie) from Children's World, who made it all happen.

This was all the more impressive when we found out that the carefree laid-back attitude that the event exuded, extended backstage, which was more bohemian campsite than anything else. Of all the other stuff on show, I thought the Freedome was the most exciting, because it was so simple. It was just a big domed tent with a few blow-up sofas in it, and a whole bunch of musical instruments (drums, guitars, harmonicas microphones) there ready for the children to come and play on. The kids were absolutely rubbish, and the place was a din from the 11am opening through until 5pm each evening, and if you were anywhere near the tent for more than 20 minutes you got a filthy headache. It was brilliant.

So far as our demos went, they were always full, and the children were all great fun. We had one or two classics, which won’t be as funny when I write them down here…

Fi:[holds up a bottle of Olive Oil] Now does anyone know what sort of oil this is?
(No hands up)
Fi: It begins with an O
4-year-old: um, Oil?

and

Fi: What’s your favourite fruit?
5-year-old: Choloate buttons

Yup, you kind of had to be there - but I was, so there.

I ought to make a quick mention of Lynn, my inter-demo washing-up buddy, who let me use her sink while she was trying to make dinner for all the performers and construction staff. Thank you Lynn, you’re a star! We let her nab some of our pesto and couscous for the lunch-time salads and sandwiches, and in return heinously stole the drinking water (in somewhat short supply given the recent flooding of the area).

Fortunately for us, Arabella and Haggis liked us being there nearly as much as we did, so not only have we been asked back to all four days of next year, but we’ve also been invited to the sister festival at Glastonbury the week after. All in all, as per usual, we did a pretty good job, and had loads of fun. And that’s what it’s all about…

by Xander. Again.