THE SUMMER SO FAR
Summer is so important to us here at Portobello Tents. Of course it’s our busiest time. But it’s also our best time – the time we forge the relationships and generate the memories that will keep us going through the longer nights to come.
Like the long summers of our childhood, so far 2016’s has been packed full of new adventures, new friends and new experiences – from highland weddings to intergalactic festivals.
The Summer so far…
Heather and Lachie’s Wedding
On a lovely day in May, we packed our things and headed far, far north to put up a wedding camp of twenty-eight bell tents on the edge of the sea somewhere way past Inverness. With the mountains towering behind us and the shore below, we fell in love with the sunny Scottish cost as the bride and groom fell even more deeply in love with each other. Heather and Lachie’s unique Scottish/Mexican celebration took place over several days, in numerous charming settings; from a ceremony over a bridge to highland walks, a hog roast on the beach, and so much more in between. We’d like to be able to do it all over again!
Camelot Festival
In June we travelled down to Dorset for Camelot Festival. This was a truly spectacular tribute in memory of a husband, a father and a friend at the family estate. Blissful weather made for perfect summer fun. The children ran around by day, making the most of the brilliant activities laid out for them, while the ‘grown ups’ had their fun once the sun came down. An incredible light projection was mapped onto the house and fantastic music had them dancing all night.
Glastonbury
At the end of June we set up camp at Glastonbury. Like so many we needed snorkels once we left our VIP Lotus Belle tents, but we had a marvellous time and are already looking forward to 2017. There’s nothing like enjoying a day of music with all your friends – even if you’re deeply entrenched in a quagmire. And escaping to luxury accommodation at the end makes all the mud and puddles easy.
Noisily
Soon after Glastonbury we spent a magical July weekend in the Coney Woods, for the Noisily Festival of Music and Arts. Wonderful people in the most stunning surroundings made for an exciting and deliriously happy few days. We took over 70 tents and set them up in a gloriously green field just beside the woods. A fantastic line up of DJs provided a stimulating soundscape, whilst the artists and performers, and indeed the various venues, created an enchanted backdrop. Creative costuming, smiling faces and exemplary entertainment combined to make an unbeatable atmosphere. Can’t wait for the next one – there were tears leaving!
Bluedot Festival
Then to Jodrell Bank, which was host to Bluedot Festival, a superb new celebration described as “an intergalactic festival of music, science, arts, culture and the exploration of space”. Fitting then to set up camp under the watchful eye of the third largest steerable radio telescope in the world. There were masses of activities, workshops, lectures, comedy, stands, films and delicious food. And from a musical perspective, we were not disappointed. In fact we were so thrilled to be a part of it, we’re already up for for next year.