day 1

day1
Arrived at the site at 5am only to be told that the gate would not be open until 8am!I was not pleased I had asked yesterday and was told 24 hour opening ;(Sitting in the little berlingo was not comfortable at all and I ended up in the back of the van with my feet up on the ladder bulkhead, I must have slept though as I looked out of the windscreen the transit I pulled in front of had already gone off to work.7:50 did I dare approach the road without fear of being rebuked once more? I took my chance and made it through and was promptly stopped by another steward who asked to see my ticket my blue a5 car pass obviously not clear enough for him.So having made it in I park in a field next to yesterday's as things are getting busier, this means a longer walk to and from the van at the end of the day not looking forward to that later..I find solice in the tent and sleep for an hour before making my way down for the meet n greet session with my shift or team leader, Ruth.Two cups of coffee later (i forgot my own cup and plate today) and I spy someone with ruth marked on the folder in her hand. Introductions all round and I get my meal ticket and advised to use it whenever. I retire to the warming tent and type this up on the phone.so another 20 mins go past as the temperature starts to rise and time once again to go to the hut where the teams are coordinated this time all is well, everyone is ready and the realisation hits home - there is not a lot to do!i say not a lot,, in comparision to the weekend shifts the pre festival hours are mild and a lot tamer than my previous experiences. a quick explanation of the rules of recycling what goes in which etc and off we trot down the muddy lane, the muddy lane has never been anything else in my recollection but as we walk downhill to the site for real the lane is just filled with dry dust that fills my already heaving nostrils (i forgot to take the hay fever tablets this morning) it makes me glad of the water back pack which i managed to suck dry through the day.. this coupled with a couple of packs of tissues makes for a messy and noisy day..i did not see many sights thru the day but it is early yet, a lot of tents still going up or being tightened, with workmen leaving the large empty rolls of gaffer tape strewn around the tent pegs.quote of the day - 'the cushion tent?' - 'no the krishna tent' came the reply
the caterers have changed this year you can actually eat meat! the confectionary has gone along with the little items - toilet roll toothpaste which was available before.
the old caterers are outside now and i think them may also have a presence inside but i could not tell today. - cutlery and cup are needed also the little barbie plate with catch all sides in the vein of tommy tippee will be in my hand for tomorrow. quick drive home and prepare for day 2.