|
 |
It's Stormin' time again and the hordes of the Northlands (and everywhere else) rumble south to party at "Stormin'" or "The Castle" as we know it. I've been every year from 1994 to 2001, other commitments meant I didn't get back until this year. It's like an old pair of slippers, all green with bits growing out.. At least ye get to forget just how bad yer hangover was the last time, and aim to do it all over again. |
 |
|
Breaking with the old '68
tradition I battered down the M74 and A69 for a wee change. If your going
south, which I do, a lot, you've really got the A68 or M74 to choose from,
one tedious the other splattered with more gatsos than a CPO's convention. Arriving at 1pm on Friday I was a) gaggin' for a pint and b) amazed at how bloody busy it was for the time of day. Had everyone taken the day off ? For a change the old car parking field was now for tents, disabled et al, cars had been resigned to a field in a nearby galaxy. |
|
 Am feart ! |
With a Guiness in hand (too early to get fired into the JD), I wandered the huge arena, huge fun fair, more stalls than Sauchiehall Street, marvelling at the size of the marquee, well ye couldn't really call it that, more a temporary barn the size of a small county with a beer tent and blues tent adjoined. First suspect I bumped into was Elvis, recently exhumed and masquerading as Skida, I failed miserably to coax him into a quick rendition of 'heartbreak hotel', he was too busy working his way through the Triumph range ;-) |
|
 Speed Enforcement officers displayed thier dapper new uniforms |
For the benefit of those who haven't been, Stomin' the Castle is, unsurprisingly, in the grounds of a big castle thing, Witton Castle. With a bar, a shop and a Chippie. Time to relax with a few more pints in the courtyard and catch up with more folk and to watch the only person hungrier than me bangin' in the window of the chippie trying his best sign language to glean when the establishment might open. Suitably fed and watered, time to go party in the BIG tent. just as Limehouse Lizzy appeared. I've enjoyed them before and they do a good job of making me think I'm seventeen again, well in me mind, the body can't remember that far back.. |
 Perhaps he was going too fast |
 |
A Friday night 8pm headache for the organisers, It turns out that the site was full which meant they were faced with turning folk away at the gate. This is the first year that it has filled to capacity and is testament to the popularity of the event. Partying late into the wee hours, er, as usual things get a bit blurred around this point, this as usual is followed only by a vague memory of face hitting sleeping bag. |
 |
 |
 |
|