www.theblisspages.com - margate international kite festival 2009
www.theblisspages.com - margate international kite festival 2009
I've attended the Falmer Kite Festival a few times, but this is the first time I have stayed at a kite festival for a whole weekend so I thought I'd detail my experiences, highlighting lessons learned, highlights and lowlights.
I was planning a leisurely drive on Friday, but unsurprisingly, it didn't end up quite like that. Loading up the car was straightforward, but a couple of things delayed me. My camping pass arrived by email on Friday morning, but there was no sign of my car park pass. I made a few phone calls to the Kite Society of Great Britain (KSGB), but for some reason, their email system wouldn't send mail to my home or work address. In the event however, I had no trouble parking without the pass. The only other issue was that I couldn't find my cycle lock – normally I don't need one for my Brompton, as I fold it and keep it with me, but I didn't want to take it to the beach and get abrasive sand on the gears and chain. In the end, I left the Brompton at home.
I finally left at about 16:00 and entered the camp site onto my new Tom Tom 730 sat nav. There were a few delays on the M25 - surprise – and a three-car pile-up on the A299, but I arrived in the light, and set up my trusty Blacks 'Good Companion' tent, which hadn't been used for over thirty years. I found what I thought was a good spot; flat ground nestled under some trees, but didn't notice the lamppost just over the wall behind me. During the night, it was like daylight, and I didn't sleep at all.
I introduced myself to some of my fellow campers – predominantly from Brighton Kite Flyers (BKF). Several recognised me from my website and from my postings on the BKF forum, and I was immediately plied with gin and orange, before a group of us wandered down to a Kebab café on the seafront. After this, we chatted for a couple of hours until I settled down for a sleepless night.
Saturday morning was sunny but still.
I was up and breakfasted by eight, and wandered down early to see many kites up despite the lack of wind.
Only once do I remember there being no kites in the air – most of the time, the sky was filled with colourful inflatables.
I saw quite a few displays, and helped with some: particularly the enjoyable 'dogfight' with inflatable planes on Sunday.
Snoopy and the Red Baron shared the honours as they performed heroic manoeuvres (see the dogfight video).
On Saturday evening, I attended a buffet organised by KSGB, but didn't stay for the quiz as I don't have an in-depth knowledge of world kite minutiae.
The stack of 25 flexifoils flying in a very low wind was incredible.
The Revs were very impressive, and made me even keener to give mine a go, though I know it will take me many hours to master. See the Rev display.
Bonefish was initially a bit dismissive about Prism kites, but then he flew my E3.
Even though the wind was very light, he made it all but roll over and beg. At least I now know what it can do in the right hands (see the E3 video). I will persevere!
I loved the way the ladybirds shuffled around in the breeze. The anemone ring span and bounced constantly, adding to the dynamic feel of the display.
I chatted with many people – from Brighton, Kent, and Avon Kite Flyers, and the designer of the EO (Expandable Object) Atom I bought, Phil McConachie.
He also made the mermaid, a shark, and many other notable kites there.
Another designer I saw but didn't have the change to chat to was Peter Lynn.
The tide was a lot higher on Sunday and I saw – and assisted with – several large kite moves.
It was interesting to see the large ground anchors being screwed into the ground, but by 15:00, I was shivering so much I had to leave.
I popped up to the campsite in case Bonefish was still there, but didn't see him, so headed home.
The journey was uneventful, but I was exhausted by the time I got home and unpacked.
Overall, I had a great time – other than the lack of sleep. See my Facebook photos.
updated Wed 23 Sep '09 give feedback...
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: © Mike Bliss 2009