Where we live is – being frank – a bit of a back water….. the last major event we saw was the arrival of the infernal combustion engine – so musically we are challenged to say the least.

(what’s really strange is that The UEA has seen some amazing gigs over the years as main main stream bands seemed to start their tours in Norwich).

Anyway, SWMBO has declared that her first ever pin up / idol was Sting and when the Forestry commission announced their gigs for the summer I started asking if she wanted to go – as it turns out, I was able to get tickets for Bryan Adams as well as Sting so happy days 🙂

But where to stay? Thetford forest is fairly large and there are a fair few camp sites about – but none close to the High Lodge venue.

But I had heard a whisper of another choice – Little Lodge Farm – also known as Forest Lodge Holidays had a most useful service – they have a field – and for 20 quid a night per person they will take you too, and from the gig – Bargain!

So – having made the booking – off we trotted on the Thursday evening.

Wow – it helps that it was a gorgeous summers day, but what a set of stunning views! The track to the site is pretty long, and i am aware it is a CAMC Site – we didn’t check it out but i believe they have a bar….

We had been told what time the mini buses were leaving, we just had time to sample a little bottle of Norman Cider and to record what the battery level was like – this was, in real terms, the first time we have gone off grid….

We set off for the venue in good time – the clearly ex forces driver showing off his no doubt afghan gained skills in driving it like you stole it – and with in 20 minutes were dropped off at the gig.

High l;lodge, like most of the Forestry commission venues, is quite small – around 5000 people so you are always going to get a decent view, its also not a bad venue acoustically – we parked our bums down about half way from the stage, and settled down to eat our self assembled picnic – dead posh, we even had cloth napkins – and indulge in some people watching.

He was pretty good we thought – i only know two Bryan Adams tracks – and one of those I have always hated – but a good show!

We left the gig, straight into the waiting mini bus – a repeat performance from the Mad Mullah driver and arrived back at the camp site. Following morning we pack up our bits and pieces and checked the leisure battery – then back to confront the Siamese who obviously were wasting away with out their nightly treats….

So – on the way back, and while we met up with Josh for a coffee and a look around his new car, we took a decision to sort the moggies, and then head off somewhere else – Jo had suggested some where around Holt would be nice, so after looking at a few placers I called Denise at Russdenill Lodge – she was lovely on the phone and we set off – and i have too say that driving through the middle of Norfolk, made me realise just how beautiful the area we live in is – its certainly not flat, but does have the big skys beloved by Seago.

The site itself – is lovely – its small, has no toilet block, but does have fresh water and chemical toilet point – its also very pretty !

But – while we were here – the step decided that it wasn’t going to – well do much actually ! When i pressed on the button, I could hear a click coming from the servo / motor but – that was it.

Having asked the normal places for thoughts etc, the diagnosis came back – and please excuse this precise, professional term – as being “A Bit Buggered”. I despatched Jo to Argos for a cheap folding step, and sourced a replacement from Amazon – £43 including delivery – I will get Sulk Senior on it this week end – along with a little blemish masking – i will do a separate post!

Lovely night up near Sheringham – very nice and peaceful with just three couples on site, and a bill of £16 ! We left and headed home to be stared at by the Siamese massive. We had also decided that we wanted to get the the site earlier, so we could have a BBQ and relax before heading into see Sting.

But – on the way – a low flying pigeon flew across the front of us from right to left – and then the stupid feather brained flying vermin flew back left to right – a sort of Pigeon Chicken – that it lost.

But not as much as my screen lost – sodding crack 🙁 And having checked, my excess for a new screen is £250….. and I can’t bill the pigeon as it flew off!

Anyway, we arrived safely and started to set up – the cheap awning I had bought two weeks ago – I wanted to put it up properly so I could make a decision re using it at Latitude. The site was a lot busier – On the Thursday there were may be 20 vehicles – for Sting there were double that amount. Anyway, parked up – not by the river this time – and set everything up before doing a light snack BBQ lunch – then it was time for the transfer to the gig – this time on a coach due to the numbers involved.

Because it was Jo – and i wanted it to be special for her, I had bought VIP tickets – so we were much closer to the stage, and had our own mugging zone – twenty sodding quid for a small fish and chips was daylight robbery in my opinion – and 12 quid for a small cheese burger!!!! Mind you, i was a bit pissed as i had lost a bottle of wine during the bag search…..

The first support band were a three piece called GirlBand – they were pretty cool and i had a brief chat with them later in the evening – I liked their controlled aggression and power – I especially liked the Bass Players style – reminded very much of Sarah Fox from JJ72 – either way – we enjoyed their set, and thanks for your time ladies!

Next up were Germein another three piece combo of sisters, from Australia. These guys have been playing for a while and are very accomplished – different to GirlBand but – good gig.

Finally – the main man – i wish i looked as good as him now, let alone at his 72! The two band members were tight, and they ripped through an extensive back catalogue of hits – what also surprised me is that Sting still uses one of the old style – long neck base guitars.

Jo loved the night, and it was certainly a great gig, and its nice to have seen another legend.

So – a whirlwind few days with lots of great music, and some wonderful memories – this week end Michael and i will fit the step motor and i will write that up – and my interim workaround – my short chubby stumps objected to trying to step up and in!