Stressing
So it’s Greenbelt next weekend. And I’m still not sure whether or not we’re going. First we definitely weren’t going – we can’t afford it this year. Then we asked the Franciscans if there were any free tickets available. (We have camped with them in the past as part of their “team”, and are happy to do so again, although it’s somewhat more tricky with two little ones in tow – last year I sent John off on his own – I couldn’t face it with a 2 year old and a 4 month old.) So now we are the happy recipients of one free ticket, and we can afford a second one (thanks to a large back-payment of child tax credits – there are times I could kiss the Inland Revenue!)
Soooo – we do the sensible thing and check our tent out – it’s been sitting on our front driveway untouched for 2 years. It’s not a pleasant sight – mould, mildew, more mould and more mildew. Basically, although the canvas itself is fine, the state of the woodwork means it’s unuseable. Not happy 
So this evening, when we should have been cooking dinner, we started a mad panicked trawl of possible sources of alternative tent. We do have 2 other tents, but I’m not at all happy about putting Adam and/or Ruth in a different tent to us, no matter how close they are to ours. We looked at eBay – and probably could pick up a suitable tent for about £60. But frankly that’s more than we can afford. So we’ve phoned my parents, who will happily courier their frame tent down to us, but that will cost in the region of £40, and we’re not at all sure that we will be able to fit ourselves, our luggage, and the tent into our little car.
So we’re looking at hiring a small trailer, or trying to borrow a tent from someone else.
I’m at the stage where the whole thing feels like far too much hassle, and I don’t want to go – but we have this free ticket, and a commitment to be part of the Franciscan team, which is a wholly good and worthwhile thing. At the moment I’m leaning again towards sending John on his own, or with just Adam (now there’s a thought 
) – we really don’t have the money to spend a small fortune on courier charges and hiring a trailer.
But there will be lots of good things going on there – I know that there are at least two knitters on the UK Knitters webring – Daisy, and nickerjac – are Greenbelters, although I see nickerjac can’t make it this year , not to mention all the other things – especially meeting up with old friends.
Anyway, it’s now bathtime for Adam and Ruth – and there’s nothing I can do about it now – if we go, we go, if we don’t, we don’t. Che sera sera. (Or however you spell that!)
Meanwhile – the knitting is going very slowly – I’ve been selling a whole pile of stuff on eBay, and although it’s very satisfying, it takes a while to get everything organised.
Must go!!! Big wails coming from upstairs!
two comments:
Heya… Greenbelt will be fine, I want to go, and I would – except I am playing on sunday (HELP!), there should be a tent you can borrow from someone.Ruth looks so cute in those pictures!! awwww
Anon () - 21 August '05 - 23:44
Hi, hope you can make it to Greenbelt! Have you tried asking the Franciscans or a local church group (or guides or scouts?) if you could borrow a tent of theirs?Have just checked my tent out. It’s at least 10 years old, the pink has mercifully faded and it still appears to be OK! Thank goodness. I had visions of having to crawl in with my bro, SIL and baby nephew!
Daisy () (link) - 21 August '05 - 23:44
