Nothing Compares 2 U

Ok first I must apologise for a very self-indulgent post, feel free to leave if you have no interest in Prince!. On Sunday, me and my other half had a rare child-free day out as we went to the Hop Farm Festival in Paddock Wood.  In my late teens I was a huge Prince fan and to this day I still think he is a musical genius.  I went to see him perform when I was about 16 and again in 2007 when he did 21 nights in a row at the O2 in London - live he is pretty incredible.

So it was a bit of a shock back in May when Prince was annouced as the headline act on the third day of the Hop Farm Festival - a fairly small festival only in it's 4th year. Prince hadn't played in the UK since 2007 and had never peformed at a Festival here. And now he was going to be playing in a field in the middle of Kent! It was so bizarre that well, we had to get tickets and my lovely husband spent a morning  ringing up and managed to get us a couple.

So with the children left at the Grandparents we headed off. I am so glad we did, we had a really amazing day with the other artists Alo Blacc, Eliza Doolittle, Imelda May, Larry Graham and Tinie Tempah on before Prince and who all helped build a great atmosphere.

We also had amazing weather, with gorgeous sunshine all day - not a muddy welly boot in sight!

We thoroughly enjoyed lazying in the sunshine and L especially liked these mobile beer men, who came and filled up your glass so you didn't even need to queue up at one of the bars!

 Finally, a little bit late,  Prince came on and peformed for a solid 2 and a 1/4 hour set. L has never 'got' him before, finding him too weird but Prince has certainly mellowed in his old (53) age.

It was discovering that he has a sense of humour that sold it to L though. After peforming a beautiful version of 'Nothing compares 2 U' Prince joked that is wasn't his song but Sinead O'Connors, to which the audience all booed and jeered. Prince smirked and said 'Hey I brought me a house with that song'! He is certainly a bit more normal - still not quite your average 53 year old though!

He can sing and dance like a 20 year old and my god the man can play a guitar!

 It was so brilliant to be up close and actually be able to see him peform in the flesh and not just on the screen. I am so glad for whatever reason he did decided to do this little Festival (it is totally independent and not sponsored which I think was part of the attraction sold by Vince Power the organiser) as it was such a different experience to seeing someone so famous somewhere like the O2, where you are so far away.

There was no pre-rehearsal so the critics have all said it was much more like one of his after show parties as he started with a soundcheck (a jam!) and was constantly yelling out instructions for lights and musicians so it all felt a bit less regimented.  It was a beautiful  night and one that I will remember forever.  I am so glad L got to experience seeing him live and loved it as much as me and I got to be there with him. See L, sometimes I really am right!

Ok, indulgent post over - I promise not to do it again!!!!!

Rolling in the deep

I can't stop listening to Adele at the moment. I'm a bit behind the times here and got her first album 19 for Christmas from my folks and I am totally in awe. How can such a young woman be so talented, write such beautiful songs (ok I'll let Bob Dylan take some credit for one amazing song on her 19 album!) sing so beautifully and effortlessly AND be completley down to earth. I am desperate for her new album 21 (it would make a wonderful valentine or anniversary present hint hint!) which I believe came out today.

Here is a little taster..I've never posted a video so I hope this works!

I haven't just been listening to Adele though..oh no, I've been busy at my sewing machine whilst listening to her!  Valentines Day always sneaks up on me just after Christmas and the day before I always think, ohh I should have made....but I never seem to get round to it. But not this year! I was determined to be organised and have been getting busy with some felt.

Just a sneaky look at what I have been up to. I did get a bit carried away and made lots of them some of which are destined for Taking the Plunge in Whitstable and a few will be added to my Folksy shop in the next couple of days.

I've also realised that I am nearly at 100 posts, so I might do a little giveaway to celebrate my 100th post, with a personalised one of 'these' up for grabs among a few other bits.
I'll keep you posted!