Knockholt Sunny September 2013

Subject: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 05:58 AM

Welcome to the official Knockholt Sunny September 2013 thread. The dates are Thursday the 12th to Sunday the 15th September 2013. WELL-BEHAVED pets are permitted. Rights of admission (people and pets) are reserved.

Facilities remain field, slow cold water standpipe, 3 portaloos, campfire (if the chainsaws work) and marquee (if it is safe to put it up and all the bits arrive!). If we do not leave the field as we find it we will lose it. Use a plank etc under any barbecue or burner that sits on the ground.

Charges remain £8 per head per night. Cash only. There is a small cushion from previous events and collections but it would not be prudent to reduce charges this year. Maybe next year if we have a really nice September turnout. Conversely if we have to hire a skip or more loos the price may have to go up.

People ask who runs it. Well, there isn't a formal structure. Sue and Mick do a lot for it. Pat and Debs also do a lot for it. Linda helps. So do I. So do a number of others, Big Dan, Woodsie and DK and Jim are usually around or involved – and Pete the Hat usually has a good idea what is going on too but would prefer not to be everybody's first port of call for questions or grumbles.

The feast will be on Friday this September. If the weather is too nice not to have another one there may be an ad-hoc one on Saturday as well, but the plan is Friday. If we fail to start eating by 7pm it will impact the evening's singing and playing, so that's when we will. My plan is again to do a tagine, again with pork, and maybe a bit larger and a bit hotter than the June one. It would be fun to cook on a low campfire – as breakfasts sometimes are done - but it is not compulsory.

We think an "official" etiquette code would be good.

1. Consideration and safety at all times. Keep clear of the fire. Keep clear of chainsaw operators, although offers CAREFULLY to carry and pile cut logs are welcome.
2. Be considerate to other musicians and listeners round the fire, let others feel the warmth of the fire and enlarge the circle if appropriate.
4. Do not leave any empties or rubbish at or near the fire area. Take all your own from the site. Do NOT leave bottle tops - they hurt cows and sheep. Do NOT put glass or tin in the fire.
5. Keep your pets under control and clear up after them.
6. Keep children under control and at safe distances from the fire.
7. Keep the loos clean. Do not block them.
8. Keep vehicles very slow and clear of people. Close the gate after use EVERY TIME (unless there is a vehicle immediately following you that will do it).
9. Tip waste (grey) water and waste food ONLY in the bomb crater. Do not tip chemical loos at all.
10. No amplifiers (except for very quiet instruments that would not be heard at all without them). Car radios etc to be kept low.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Abdul on iPhone
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:29 PM

Looking forward to it.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Uncle Tone
Date: 29 Jul 13 - 01:52 PM

Finding that I could well be that far sarf on that weekend, what is the score? Do we pre-book or just turn up with cash?

Tone

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 02:07 AM

Ho ho! better dust my tent down and count the pegs.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 03:53 AM

Woodsie, thank you for finding the old list of things to bring.

The rest of you - here it is: -

Chair
Torch
Picnic rug with plastic bottom
Snout and anything else you want to smoke
Skins
Lighter (bring several, you will lose them)
BOOZE/doobs if required
Tankard
Cup if you consume non-alcoholic items
Water container for water from the tap
Plate
KFS (knife, fork, spoon set)
Washing up bowl and washing up liquid
Wet wipes, kitchen roll, SPARE BOG ROLL IN CASE,
Soap and towel if you want to wash
Warm jackets/jumpers/socks/trainers,
WELLIES
Clean jeans and underthings
Clean T-shirt
Hat with brim
Sunscreen/Aftersun
Mossie repellent/Anthistan
Comestibles and a cool bag or box to store food/drink,
Bottle opener/tin opener, cling film/silver foil
Spare sausages in case DK runs out/other food
HP sauce and Colmans mustard
Chilis
Garlic
Bread
Butter/grease
Cheese
Milk if you use it
RESOLVE for the morning(s) after
Sunglasses
Specs if you use them
Mobile phone
Laptop/PDA if required
Guitar, capo, picks, guitar stand/other instruments/music
Pliers/wirecutters for banjos
Stanley knife/switchblade for melodeons, banjos bodhrans and bagpipes
Water pistol for electronic bagpipes
Tent (NB tentpegs tentpoles guyropes and hammer),
Sleeping bag, pillow, airbed, pump for airbed
CONDOMS (can you really all have forgotten?)
Tissues (fill in the blank)
Camera
Painkillers in case of broken/infected tooth/infected ears
Any required prescription medicines (particularly important for the paranoid schizophrenics or heart patients)
Wallet in case of trip to pub
Credit card in case of trip to off licence
Wire coathanger and dustbin bags or rubble sacks and gaffa tape - you'd be amazed what you can fix with them!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 12:32 PM

Blimey I'm gonna need a lorry to take that lot!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 03:05 PM

Rubbish Woodsie. That and a lot more went into my little old Skoda that I used to have.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Dead Horse
Date: 30 Jul 13 - 10:49 PM

It was the Skoda that went on the back of the lorry. :-)

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Essex Girl
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 06:54 AM

What have you got against Melodeons?

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 09:37 AM

The vast preponderance (present company excepted) of performances on them. And of course their subtlety (not). Have you been converted to worshipping them, since you give them a capital letter?

Mind you, the fiddleborg (resistance is futile) can be annoying too.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Dead Horse
Date: 31 Jul 13 - 04:00 PM

It is surely no coincidence that melodeons are referred to as 'single row' 'double row' and 'triple row'. The 'row' pronounced as in 'cow' and not as in 'flow' obviously. :-)

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 01 Aug 13 - 03:01 PM

and your hat to protec your head from all the sun.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Chinaman
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 09:29 AM

A Hat is already on Richard's rist why yoo no risten?

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,HO
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 12:19 PM

And there's always Peter The Hat.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Dead Horse
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 12:21 PM

Watch go on rist - hat on hed.
Capo on neck. Flippy flop on foots.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Abdul on iphone
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 01:10 PM

Ah sole so it is even the brim.
Let's add 'banjo ' then.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Chinaman
Date: 05 Aug 13 - 01:16 PM

Frippy frop on foot? I'm going to the Tarry Ho for some rear air, rarkins methinks

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 05:01 AM

Rookin forward to it.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Canton Charlie
Date: 14 Aug 13 - 06:58 AM

I rike rear air too. especiarry rarkins!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 17 Aug 13 - 09:34 PM

Ok last June,people were asking ME about the Marquee and why was it not up. Two vital pieces had gone astray ,so putting the thing up was not possible.

when the two pieces did arrive on the friday.we then found that the lorry cargo straps that are slung over front ,middle and back of the Marquee and then tightened by a wrench handle were not there and with out these straps and with the gusts of wind we had in June by the Friday it was decided it was too dangerous to put the marquee up, because if a full blown gust entered the Marquee the result would be the whole bloody thing taking off aloft and then its comes crashing down, So thats why we did not have a Marquee in June. I assume its on loan to us Micks is kind enough to bring it down prior to the event and things like missing poles do happen ? We had also lost a Valued Oak tree that was our Anchor post has the marquee was always put up between the two great Oaks ,Now one of them has been felled and theres only one? which didnt help the June Event in regards to weather.

lets please ensure in September that all straps and poles are there prior to the event ,that Marquee is our excape from being stuck in a small tent when it pissing down with rain and believe me has I am sure you are aware there is NOTHING worse to camping then being stuck in a tent and worse still paying £ 8.00 a night for the discomfort,at least in a campoer van or caravan you have some freedom of movement.

The Marquee is vital to us all.

Mess made around the fire is usually cleared up by myself or Mr woods if he is in attendence its a thankless task, but people will not take there cans, bottles back because, folk just put empties on the floor beside where they sit stand or fall about .

I have picked bottles cans etc up several times over the years and make a pile that gets bigger and bigger,has each day breaks, there again at knockholt I am not one for lying in bed both me and Mick or at least one of us are up very early to make sure fire is still going and that cans bottles are piled away from the fire pit so people can who prefere to cook openly breakfast on the fire. Any lost property is placed on a tree stump for all to see.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 17 Aug 13 - 09:54 PM

I must say I was not impressed with last Junes Knockholt in regards to what I have mentioned above inded for me it was the worst Knockholt ever. When people are paying for toilets ,they expect toilets and a standpipe and a Marquee ikts what they are PAYING for.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 04:06 AM

I think that's a bit unreasonable, Pete. I quite enjoyed June, and the absence of a marquee had a beneficial effect in that people did stay round the fire. The rain was mostly merciful and mostly stayed away.

The lorry strops have never yet been correctly used, and the way they are often used is unlikely to be beneficial and might damage the marquee frame. Videos can be found on youtube of how to do it right.

The problem with the loos was people putting too much bogroll down them.   This was aggravated by the wrong sort of bogroll being used - you can't use domestic fluffy in chemikahzees, it expands rather than dissolves in the fluid. But it's a mistake that anyone could make.

As far as I know there were no water supply problems at all.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 06:19 AM

Looking forward to it. But why so late? We always used to start first weds of sept. it was put back to the 12th once and we were rewarded with a torrential storm. Still lets keep fingers crossed for a Mexican summer. Ho ho!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Aug 13 - 04:48 AM

I don't set the dates, but the date is good for me as RC4 were quite a while back asked to play MalcFest. And it avoids my birthday.

I think I have got to the bottom (pun intended) of the loo issue. Probably. Unless anyone can offer extra evidence.

The loo nearest to the circle got blocked by late-ish in the June event. Probably only that loo. Three reasons. First - nearest to the circle gets most use. Second, the thoughtful provision of fluffy bogroll. It dies not dissolve and it does soak up the working fluid, resulting in a bog with soggy blue paper in it and no circulating fluid. Third, the thoughtful provision of babywipes - which are just as bad and maybe worse. This year we are sticking to the correct bogroll.

As sod's law would have it, Pete, that one was the nearest to your tent too.

Thought is being given to the possibility of putting them in a neat line like most other fests, so that with luck usage will be even, and in case of desperation an alternative is close to hand.

I have ordered 8 tie-down straps too.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Woodsie
Date: 20 Aug 13 - 06:35 AM

They always used to be well away from the fire, in a straight line along the hedge perimeter of the field. You also don't hear the constant banging of bog doors while listening to music, They were moved nearer to the fire because some people were too lazy to walk the extra few yards.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Aug 13 - 10:10 AM

We have less available perimeter unless the felled oak has gone.   I have been meaning to contact the farmer about that, getting a bit late now.


I have ordered some glow-in-the-dark duck tape to mark sticky-out marquee guy ropes and pegs - go easy with it it cost the urf!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Essex Girl
Date: 20 Aug 13 - 02:07 PM

We are running Otford on Thursday with Ian Petrie if anyone wants to drive down for the evening. Saturday we have a booking but will come over for Friday, weather permitting.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Aug 13 - 10:43 AM

It's all coming together...

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 05:02 AM

Accuweather is predicting cloudy, with only a couple of spots of rain, temp high 60s low 70s. But, of course, that may change!

The tie-down straps for the marquee have arrived.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Pierre le chapeau
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 07:53 AM

It appears I will not be attending September Knockholt this year due to a stay in hospital that falls at the same time, in regards to arriving on the Tuesday and setting up ,Clearly that was my intention but has a result of the above sadly I cannot now do this, I doubt I make the event at all :(

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Aug 13 - 06:24 PM

Helas! (insert acute accent of choice).

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 03:24 AM

Accuweather is predicting it will be cool - low 60s. Friday regrettably predicted to be "windy with periods of rain" but otherwise merely "a shower" on Thursday and "a little rain" on Saturday. Sunday the sun is due to come out.

Metcheck says a tiny bit of rain Thurs eve, and quite a lot of rain Fri/Sat overnight - but that is as far into the future as I can get there at the moment. On the other hand it predicts temps in the mid 70s.

How true it is that other countries have climate, but England has weather!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 12:39 PM

Hospital treatment will be finished friday afternoon whereby I will be there Saturday with out fail.possible Friday night but I have to be taken home by friend or relative from hospital day ward and recover , not allowed to get Cab,or bus. This is a serious pain in the ARSE, I have told hospital I have booked a holiday prior to there appointment and they said if they get a cancellation they will swap me over, if not and I decline the treatment then I will be struck off. (Fascist bastards) I may well just tell them to stick the whole thing and be done with it, I wait and see. :(

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 02:33 PM

Pete

Hope to see you there, but not if you are putting yourself at risk health wise. Please take care.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Pierre le chapeau
Date: 29 Aug 13 - 03:25 PM

Hi Tam
thanks hun, for your concern but there only operating on my lower gut on the Thursday,over night stay and then a day ward op on the friday.10.00 got a torn gut. Theres no risk. My sis will pick me up from hospital at 1300 hrs,after I have come round, and take me home on the friday ,whereby if I am up for it I come friday afternoon ,or first thing Saturday, It take more then a perferated gut to keep me out of Knockers,indeed alot of folk have holes in guts and live it,no danger but, this is a nuisence and causing bleeding.   

Im more concerned about the weather.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 05 Sep 13 - 01:31 PM

hope to be there Friday night now.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 03:23 AM

Met-check reporting Thursday and Friday OK in the afternoon, Saturday dry evening from 7 pm, and Sunday dry to pack up and go home. Top temps only low 20s though, ie just over 70 Fahrenheit.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 07:07 AM

Depending on how the work goes this week, will try for Thursday eve.
Take care with the holes in yer tubes Pete, that's what done for my dad.
Well that and the buggers that operated on him.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 04:48 PM

Re above post

An it alright, What?
"Thanks for that Abdul be reasuring to last why dont you?,   :(

Im so sorry about your Dad.

But
This is just a routine op not a bloody Arse transplant, Ye Gods what next..

Anyway if I dont need day ward Thursday morn after op on Wednesday evening then I be discharged about 9 oclock and can just leave.

If I need to go to Day ward then I wont be able to go home a relative will have to pick me up (That side of things is sorted but hopefully wont have to happen depends on consultant.)so I may well be there about 11am Thursday. or if it happens and I am knocked out again Thursday then it will be Friday .

Bloody Palava

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Girl Friday
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 08:10 AM

Even though we are not coming, fate has made me read this thread. Pete for God's sake have this op and bloody well do as you are told. Going to Knockholt, and eating / drinking/ smoking heaven knows what will not help... and given the earlier comments re bogs..... you get my drift. ?

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 01:44 PM

Oh I shall go TDL and Im doing what I am told. but I have spoken to doctors and this is 2nd time around for me. I will go easy when I get to knockholt re ,drinking and smoking ,but Iam going because its the only event I am attending now that takes me away, Pigs Ear has gone and I do not do Rochester any more , I am in very good health apart from this irritating thing. lets bring the thread away from me and back to Knockholt
I will be there and I will be good ,I know my health and how far I can push my self theres no concern to be had but thanks anyway.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Abdul on iphone
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 04:54 PM

Hmmm northerly wind , quite strong, temperatures falling, raining..... Must be Knockholt weekend.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Pierre Le Chapeau
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 05:29 PM

Im taking every day has it breaks weather wise. , if its absolutely pissing it down I will wait for a daily break pointless getting there drenched to the skin, and everything soaked through. I have never pitched a tent in the pouring rain and dont intend to start. Lets wait and see.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 09:15 AM

Durnit. Last couple of years I made last minute decision not to go based on the weather forecast. Then it suddenly changes to not so bad. I don't see the point in sitting around in freezing marquee for 2 nights.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 09:17 AM

sorry .... Didn't finish. Given the weather causes me quite a lot of pain and will likely lay me low to be exposed to it, I don't see the point.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 11:43 AM

They are my feelings too Tam. I'll see how it looks closer to the time but stiff wind, cool air and rain takes the gloss off a bit.
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 11:58 AM

Eew, just had a look at BBC weather for Knockholt, looks like a lot of rain! What a bummer.

VT, lemme know - either way - whenever you want to, I'm happy to get myself ready and wait for last minute instructions from your end, just in case weather looks like improving friday?

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 01:12 PM

Metcheck currently saying Thursday OK. I have had a day when nothing has gone to plan so I may go up early AM with chainsaw and get vardo later - or rise V. early and load and go in one bash.

Friday little rain in the PM - but the less I do on Friday the 13th (particularly involving chainsaws) the better I like it.

Sunday should be OK to dry out and go home.

Accuweather on the other hand is much more favourable. Blickifier offline.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/knockholt/tn14-7/weekend-weather/53180_pc

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 01:26 PM

We don't get there until late Friday and have to leave Sunday morning. It would be ok is Saturday promised to be dry at least.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,Rahere
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 02:49 PM

Watch the weather, it's promising to be seriously blowy and possibly quite wet as well. Given the accuracy of the forecasting recently, I'd be a fraction worried: the wider forecasts are painting a picture looking something like a hurricane somewhere North of Scotland and this is the bottom edge.
If all else goes belly-up, get the R5 bus from Orpington Station and a taxi back (no bus Sunday). When I was young in that neck of the woods (ah, the charming Gill, the Postmistress' daughter), that route was headboarded "Pratts Bottom (Circular)".

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 04:42 PM

Metcheck currently saying Thursday OK. I have had a day when nothing has gone to plan so I may go up early AM with chainsaw and get vardo later - or rise V. early and load and go in one bash.

Friday little rain in the PM - but the less I do on Friday the 13th (particularly involving chainsaws) the better I like it.

Sunday should be OK to dry out and go home.

Accuweather on the other hand is much more favourable.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/knockholt/tn14-7/weekend-weather/53180_pc

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 03:19 AM

Looking less likely for me, rain rain rain and small tents are just no fun!

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: GUEST,vatam on da android
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 07:22 AM

I think we have to give knockers a miss this autumn. Watching up until this evening then make final decision Sorry all.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Abdul The Bul Bul
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 08:17 AM

Rain, rain, rain and big tents no fun either! Just one more week it had to hold off!
Al

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 05:52 PM

Decided we are not going. My bones have been aching all evening and I am inside.

Subject: RE: Knockholt Sunny September 2013
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Sep 13 - 09:22 AM

The weather was not as bad as forecast, and Saturday night was clear and starlit, with so few of us there we could all get close to the fire and enjoy the heat. A few more singers or players and it would have been totally magic.