September already - how quick did that come around?!

So, just got back from Greenbelt Festival and am going to attempt to write something intelligible about it. At nearly 11pm. After 4 days of no sleep. Could be interesting.

Drove down on Friday morning and met up with the lovely Jilly. We got to the racecourse and had to wait in a very strange queueing system waiting to get in and I ate faaaaar too many chocolate fingers. Had a long drive round the campsite when we got in because we didn't understand Steve's directions at all but finally found him and after much comical car maneuvering we got there and got our tents up.

On Friday evening we went off down to the festival village to see Andy Flannagan in the Big Top but we were a bit late and didn't really understand what was going on which was a shame because I bet he was brilliant. Very odd venue, really dark I thought with not great sound.

Then, brilliantly, we went to a talk called "Birmingham: It's not sh*t". In which it was proved that it kind of is but we love it anyway. It was very funny. Met up with Rich, Matt and Becki from church there too which was nice.

After that we went to the mainstage to see yFriday who were pretty good. Then we went to this thing called Pyro-Theology which in the write up sounded brilliant, but in reality was very weird and more than a little bit disappointing, particularly in that there was no fire. Unless you count a match that was lit for about 2 seconds. Which I don't. It seemed to me to be about burning the establishment... very odd... didn't really get it if I'm honest. We met Sax Tim and Ruth though so that was nice. Then went to Last Orders. The one and only time I went to Greenbelt before we went to Last Orders every night, it was a sort of interview, music, comedy thingy, and was really good. So we went off to it but the presenters couldn't interview and weren't at all funny so as soon as Stu G had done his little set we went and didn't go the rest of the weekend. Is a shame cos I'd remembered that being dead good.

Saturday was a big stress. Rob Bell was on in Centaur (the big inside venue) at 10am but we really wanted to see Trent Vineyard there at 9 and the venue was being cleared between the two so we knew if we did that we'd be at the back of the queue and wouldn't get in. So we left 20 mins early to queue by which time the queue was ridiculously big. But. We felt really bad for Trent because they were great and had been put on at a stupid time anyway, made stupider by the fact that people couldn't go if they wanted to see Rob Bell. At 10.15 they finally started letting people in, Rob started at 10.20 cos he had a lot to get through and limited time, we got in at 10.40 and people finished coming in about 11. It was an absolute shambles. Which was gutting because he was amazing to listen to. He was doing his Drops Like Stars talk which is about suffering and creativity, and it was brilliant. Steve didn't get in to see him which was a real shame because I know he'd wanted to and he's only joined the queue a tiny bit after us. I don't understand why the organisers put him on in a venue that wasn't big enough for the demand. There is no bigger indoor venue and I guess outdoors it's harder to hear a speaker, but surely they knew he'd be really popular. I mean, they could have put a screen up somewhere else, it's not like you needed to be in the room. And we were under the impression that all the talks would be available to buy afterwards but that one isn't, so for those of us that missed the first bit, and the people that missed it all, it's really rubbish. I know a lot of people, myself included, would list Rob Bell as their main reason for going to GB09 so it was a bit hopeless that it didn't quite work.

After lunch we went to see Alistair McGrath talking mainly about Richard Dawkins, which was really interesting. Then to a thing called Tickling in Public: Here we go again, which really was a children's poetry thing, but it was quite good fun. It was a bit lengthy for me but it gave us a nice sit down in the sun.

That day we also saw Quench's last ever gig and Stu G. Quench were quite good, but they were a bit shouty which was odd cos they're not usually. And the venue was strange, it was the Underground which is a bit small and hot and dark and the smoke machines played havoc with my contact lenses! We left a bit early to go to see Stu G do an acoustic set in the Performance Cafe, and yet again came so close to not getting in, but managed to wangle front row seats. Well, floor if we're honest, so close together that it took about half an hour for my legs to recover afterwards, but an amazing location for a fantastic set. A real highlight was his cover of Umbrella by Rihanna which I don't really like, but he made it good. And he's just amazingly talented, he records bits as he goes along and layers them on top of each other, it just sounds incredible. So that was fab.

Sunday morning was Greenbelt Communion with no communion because of swine flu but we missed most of it because my blood sugar went low after the first little bit, but it wasn't really our cup of tea anyway so we didn't mind too much. Luckily it meant we were in time to start queueing for Rob Bell again because we wanted to be sure we'd get in. This time he spoke about The two kinds of now, which was about ageing and renewal and was really very interesting and thoughful, and we got in in time this time which I was soooo pleased about. We'd wanted to go and see Bishop Gene Robinson after that but by the time Rob had finished he'd already started so might try to catch up on his talks on the website.

It was really Rob Bell day on Sunday, because he was doing an interview in the evening, so we got some tea and went and sat ready for that which this time was outside. Before him was a guy called Sami Awad who spoke about the trouble in Israel and Palestine as a Palestinian. It was really interesting. I have to admit I don't really understand quite what's happening there so some parts were lost on me, but I found his talk really engaging and interesting. Then Rob Bell in conversation was great. It was basically a question time and I just think he is really sound and really knows his stuff. And there is a real honesty in him. His style is so engaging, I didn't find my mind wandering any of the times I saw him which is unusual for me. I would really recommend his book Sex God (if I haven't already at some point) and also his new one, Drops Like Stars. Can't recommend Velvet Elvis yet cos still not finished it, but Sex God especially I found to be brilliant.

After Rob, we stayed for the Big Sing which was led by John Bell of Iona fame. That was brilliant, I loved that when I went to Iona, it's amazing how quickly they get everyone singing and sounding so good.

We didn't really go to much else that night. Popped up to Soul Space on a hunt for Hoyland because we'd heard he was up there, and we left him a note, but we ended up sitting on a bench just chatting most of the evening, after a quick trip to bookshop and music shop. Which was great. Jilly is fab and so good to talk to. I found myself really opening up to her this weekend which I find hard to do so it was a really good time for me. She quite possibly was thinking "Argh, shut UP!".

Nearly done now. Monday. We went to Andy Flannagan first thing in the morning and didn't miss the beginning, hurray, and he was great. We had a great time of sung worship but just wished it lasted longer, cos there was something else on in the venue straight after. Stupid venue for worship though, it was the place Quench had been so really small, and there was this barrier between the stage and us, which Andy said was rather counterproductive. It was really silly. But he was fantastic and it was a great time of worship.

Had a little wander round then went up to track down Hoyland at about 12, and he was there! YAY! So we went for a walk with him and ate cheesy bread and had a talk and he of course came out with lots of wise things and it was sooooo lovely to see him again.

Then we set off to see Tim Hughes which we were really looking forward to, he was in Centaur which was much better for a worship venue but really irritatingly we didn't get in. Even after queueing. Gutted. After Andy Flannagan we were so up for it and it was so annoying to not get in, and not be able to join in elsewhere through the power of a screen. I so intend to write to Greenbelt with this point about this venue. It is just ridiculous.

So. We went to a place that had been set up for worship with installations and stuff, but there wasn't really anything to do, it was quite child focussed. So went back and had tea.

In the evening we went to see Cornershop (Brimful of Asha) on Mainstage, but we left after that song and several others, because they were so dull! No stage presence whatsoever and everything sounded the same, and everything was on 2 notes. Really disappointing I thought. So we went to play a game of Testament Trumps which didn't really work with just 2 of us but gave us a giggle.

Then back to mainstage for Athlete. Who we thought we only knew one song of. That was a terrible sentence grammar wise. As was that. But we thought we only knew Wires. But turns out we knew loads, and they were amaaaaarrrrrzing! Plus my love of men in bands returned for the 500th time this weekend. They were really great, fantastic headline act to finish. We went to get our CDs signed afterwards and had a photo with them. Great time to have a photo taken with famous people, after not washing for 4 days. Nice.

Today we've packed up, gone for lunch in Cheltenham, I took Jilly back to the airport and then came home for a lovely wash and a lovely bed.

Lots more I could say but I don't have the energy now, so sure it'll be remembered over the next few posts, but what I will say is that it was great to catch up with the Charmans this weekend, and to meet the other people we were camping with. It was lovely to spend some time with Jilly since this time last year we'd only just really become friends. And it was great to be at Greenbelt. I hadn't known if I'd like it, thought it might be a bit hippy. Last time I went we went for Vender and didn't really engage in much else. But I didn't really think it'd be my cup of tea. But actually there is something for absolutely everyone, it just takes some good scrutinising of the incredibly confusing programme to find it all.

I will just mention before I forget to, that I had a phonecall today from the leaders of the Small Groups at church, to ask if I would prayerfully consider taking on leadership of our group as John and Gemma move to Nottingham. And I am really at a loss what to say. I've written very briefly before about church and me. It's not an easy place at the moment. I am sort of connected to 3 different churches and don't feel like I fit at any of them. And Aldridge especially I am really struggling with. So I don't know what to do. If I didn't think it would open up a whole can of worms I would say that it would be impossible to lead a small group when I was struggling to even be a member of the church. I am fairly sure that it is not something I will do. I will think about it. But I can't see my answer being yes. I'm just not sure yet how to phrase a no. Any prayers/advice/nuggets of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Goodnight.

Love love love xxx