Do you feel lucky, Punk?

Forty eight hours of work and pleasure beckoned as we drove across the Severn Bridge and over the border into Wales at 8 pm on Friday night.  The plan?  Our highly anticipated flirtation with the steampunk scene at the Chepstow Steampunk Winter Festival on Saturday, followed by a day of leisurely exploration on Sunday.

As per usual, my hastily written directions were insufficient and failed to take into account Chepstow’s one way system and the fact that our digs for the weekend were literally in the middle of nowhere.  This caused just a little in-transit conflict.  A sat nav is now top of my Christmas list.  We seem to have studiously ignored the virtues of these handy little devices, telling ourselves that we are too reliant on technology, preferring our travels to be punctuated by a war of words and raging headaches.  This time I really mean it - Sat nav, Santa, please!

We eventually made it without having to call the cottage owner.  Even in pitch darkness, it was clear that we had chosen well (I’ll overlook the fact that Gaz missed the unlit steps, almost knackering his ankle in the process and suffered minor concussion from hitting his head on the doorframe).  Home for the weekend was a beautifully converted stable block in the grounds of a farm (so far, so nativity story) with a huge freestanding bath and a coffee machine.  Obviously there was other furniture, but those are the kind of things that float our boat so to speak. 

Too early for a Saturday morning!

At 7 am on Saturday morning, this was the view from our very frosty stable door.  Going about our normal breakfast routine dressed in full on Steampunk clothing felt surprisingly normal.  With no sign of the “persistent stray cat” we were warned not to encourage (thank God, we’d have found that impossible!), we headed into Chepstow.

Chepstow’s Drill Hall was our workplace for the day and these fascinating creatures were our colleagues.

Check out the fascinator!

Dr Cornelius Porridge

Real, smoke breathing dragons and their owners

We took a bit of a flyer with this event, fancying something to break the winter monotony and it was refreshing to be unloaded and set up within a 60 minute timeframe.  Handmade Steampunk Top Hats, bandanas, steampunk-inspired stickers and select items from our clothing range to offer the steampunk crowd an off-duty look were set out on rich red velvet clad tables.  Obviously Dr Jones had to make an appearance for the day and everyone agreed he was the most photographed individual (and there was some stiff competition).

Dr Jones doing his thang

Beautiful steampunk clothing 

Surprisingly, no music was on offer, so after clearing it with the organisers, we soon had the place not quite rocking, but definitely toe-tapping to Professor Elemental (think old chap rap and you’ll be somewhere close).  

 

Gaz taking five

All set up

"I've lost my wind instrument!"

The day flew by and we met some really interesting characters, plus some extremely talented creatives.  

Steampunks!

Steampunk Morris Dancers

My heart bled for the creator of Imps and Things and his amazing sculptures.  I fell in love with these imps in baubles but I couldn’t justify £45 for a Christmas decoration, although we both agreed that if he worked out his hourly rate for making these creatures, he’d probably sink into a deep depression.  But hey, that’s not what motivates him and thank goodness there are people in the world like that.

Close of play was 4 pm and after packing the van, we had to unpack it again in freezing semi-darkness to locate the “safe place” Gaz had put the van keys. 

Saturday night we relaxed and filled our faces.

Tintern Abbey

Sunday, a much cloudier day, started with a lie in, a mooch around the atmospheric Tintern Abbey and a short detour to Gloucester. 

  

Such a cool sign

This kind of establishment is a magnet for us.  I talked myself down from a mohair rug impulse purchase.

Being Sunday drivers, we eschewed the motorway in favour of the scenic route, returning home to a small pile of missed delivery cards (why did I start internet Christmas shopping on Friday ahead of a weekend away?!) and a truly awful Linda McCartney Vegetarian Beef Roast.  I’m trying to clear the freezer and have long been “nut roast curious,” so tonight was the night.  Actually, it wasn’t technically a nut roast, but the synthetic flavoured pile of excrement, which promised an “outrageously succulent” veggie beef roast has killed my curiosity stone dead.

So, in summary, did the Steampunks approve of Voodoo Street?  Well, according to renowned performer, Dr Cornelius Porridge's Facebook post, he certainly did and that's good enough for me!

Blinded by the Light

A weekend in the country, albeit working our arses off at Derbyshire Dubs, was just what I needed to take my mind off some worrying eyesight issues.  I had literally been seeing stars and periodic flashes and shadows in my peripheral vision and the sudden onset of summer; its sunlight, reflections and leaves dancing in the breeze, were playing havoc with my imagination so that I could no longer distinguish reality from tricks of the light.  For the record, I'm now fine and wear and tear is to blame for this thankfully temporary issue (the human body amazingly often heals itself), so nothing to do with too much partying, or anything so rock n' roll!

The drive to the site was one of the most scenic I can recall for some time.  Climbing up and over the Roaches (a prominent rocky ridge situated above Leek and Tittesworth Reservoir in the Peak District) with a pale blue, cloudless sky stretching ahead, was stunning.

Derbyshire Dubs, virgin territory in every sense, took place on a hillside, with panoramic views of breathtaking countryside, near to the village of Wardlow in Derbyshire.  As there are usually issues with first time shows, lighting seemed to have been overlooked, so other than the odd campfire, catering trucks and entertainment marquee, the light faded from bright sunshine to pitch darkness in a few short hours.

I loved this uber cool Airstream Wine Bar - Vin Van Voom!






After a misty start, Saturday unfolded into a blistering hot day and the main mobile Bar (Beerbuz), made an awesome decision to bring along one of our favourite local ales - Enville Ginger.  My enthusiasm for this beer never wanes and most of the punters were obviously also feeling the love, as by Saturday lunchtime, owner Gaz, had to borrow our daily runaround, a Mk 4 VW Golf (230,000 miles on the clock and still on its original engine and clutch) to drive into Wardlow to restock on beer!

We were also stoked discover this beautiful Californian import decorated with our stickers.

It's only been in the country for 3 weeks, has a gleaming Porsche engine and is now on UK soil and in the hands of its second ever owner!

Right up our street was the New Orleans Jazz band which appeared without warning on Saturday and marched right past our stand. Shame they didn't look like extras from Live and Let Die!

This cool customer made a purchase from us, gave me some tips on head scarves (a knack I've never managed to perfect) and the best rum on the market (Kraken Black Spiced).  We also randomly discussed cars, her partner's numerous inkings and randomly, the artist known as "Shag".  If you haven't heard of him, Google the name and you'll be sure to recognise his work.









Leaving a little earlier due to other commitments, my drive home on Saturday evening was a fraught affair, punctuated by flashes of blinding lightning and marred by torrential rain.  I got home, drank 3 little bottles of French lager straight off, checked Gaz hadn't been struck by lightning up on the hill in Derbyshire and went to bed!

Gaz returned home on Sunday night with a less-than-perfect gazebo.  The wind had picked up on Sunday and tossed it into the air and over a stone wall.

Here's the scene of tranquility shortly before our stand was windswept!

But still, with no time to fix it and in true Voodoo Street style, Gaz (aka lastminute.com) committed to another show at the 11th hour last Friday night and made an appearance at All Types at Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales.

Voodoo show stickers were also produced for the occasion!

So Gaz spent Saturday evening with this as his backdrop.  Mine was a little less salubrious but no less enjoyable as I stayed behind and caught up with friends over a curry and beer.