Sledge, you make some valid points. I guess I'm just too close to it not to be cynical. Knowing one of the organisers, I have suspected, in the past, personal gain to be the prime mover, and have grown tired of Jolly Jack Tar PLC. I admit I cannot argue rationally, and I'm sure the vast majority of the punters will have a smashing day out.

This picture of a really angry, passionate man has come back to me. I was sitting on a slipway up the river in Douarnenez, noticing sunburn on the top of my head for the first time, when I was hailed by an English toff in a Drascombe. He was keen to learn my opinion of the festival. It was my first, in France, and I gave an upbeat reply. He then launched into a polemic about how his festival, started with a few friends, had been hijacked by all these bastards, with their agendas, and their greed etc. I'm pretty sure he ended up stamping on his cheescutter hat. Jeez, he was hissing. I think he was a journo, but lived in Brittany.

I think that's were I was infected with the need to carp about other peoples boat party efforts. Bad trait. Sorry. Enjoy.

Skipjack