Life– Terror. Ecstasy. Fight. Denial. Flight. Failure. PAIN. Forgiveness. Reconciliation, Hope. Love. Peace – Death.
2023 – My 13th Glastonbury, 13? lucky for some?
100%
I got to go to my happiest of happy places once again but this time with a significant twist.
Normally, I would do Glasto with my tribe, my Glastonbury posse. The tribe has diminished in recent years, from 7 at its peak to a hard core of just 3 during the past trio of years (when we have been luckily enough to grab tickets that is). We were crazily lucky to get tickets in the resale for last year, all of us!
Zero of my posse got tickets for Glastonbury 2023.
Sophies Choice
I applied for 2023 Hospitality Tickets having successfully applied the previous year, and granted 3 (applied for 5). I could not believe we had successfully applied for the elusive Willy Wonker Golden ‘Hospo’ tickets for the insanely anticipated post Covid Glastonbury return.
This year I tried again, requesting 3 hospitality (received 2). As I am disabled, I could turn 2 into 3 as per a disabled, accessibility companion (a free) ticket. They cost £665 +VAT each (more than double the cost of a standard ticket). This year, 2024 they are £850 + VAT.
As none of us got tickets either via the main or the resale. I had to choose either my mates, my tribe, or my family. I chose Glastonbury with My son Aubrey, his partner, Charlotte (on my companion ticket) and their son Fennec, my grandson.
Fennec also went to Glastonbury the year previously, sort of, inside his mums’ tummy (at 38 weeks pregnant). This year, 2023 was Fennecs 2nd Glastonbury at aged just 10 months. Quite an achievement. Possibly even a record? Either way good to see his parents are bringing him up the right way! Fen will attend his 3rd Glastonbury June 2024 aged 23 months.
To travel to Glastonbury from the North is not an easy trek. Planning begins 6 months in advance, travelling, coordinating, bags, tents, accommodation & supplies. To go to Glastonbury with a baby adds a whole new level of complexity especially when parents and baby live in London!
Dad (Aubrey). Lad (Fen) & ‘Dar Dar‘ (Grandad John), 3 generations of REYNOLDS boys together at the greatest festival in the world! I cannot even begin to put into words what this weekend has meant to me? My greatest of Glastonbury moments ever!
Just two years ago we had no grandchildren. Two crazy years later we have three, all boys. Two are in Australia, Henderson and Nate . Our third (and middle) grandson, Fennec was with me at Glastonbury. The only thing that could have topped that would have been for all 3 grandsons to have been together with us along with my wife & Posse (hopefully next year)!
When I was diagnosed with no cure cancer, one of the first thing you consider is your future. What you need to do, what you might fit in what you might never do? I honestly didn’t’ think I would ever have the chance to experience grandchildren. Something I was so looking forward to pre-diagnosis, suddenly beyond reach.
The thought of ever going to my favourite place in the world, Glastonbury, with my grandchildren was literally non-existent, beyond my wildest dreams.
How did it go?
It was Amazing! He was Amazing. We were all Amazing!
We had the best of times! It was joyous but sad, all at the same time, emotional as I know there may well never be another. I got to achieve a Glastonbury ambition I had waited a quarter of a century for. To visit the Kidz field and explore the Greenpeace Pirate Ship.
I got to hug and cuddle my amazing little prince, to watch him literally nearly explode with joy and wonder at what he was experiencing around him, was absolutely priceless.
Thanks for Reading
#Peace
Dying to Live 