I’ll be flying to the channel Islands this summer. More specifically Alderney, I tend to go there every summer. Let me tell you its a beautiful Island, quaint but with a lot going on, beautiful and remote. But I hate flying, with a passion. The first time I went, in order to avoid these little propeller planes that have been in service for about 50 years, and seat a maximum of 15 people, two at a time directly behind the pilot, I got a ferry to Guernsey, and stayed overnight. I had a cunning plan, in that the authorities had been planning to run a ferry between the two for the two-week high season. As I got there, the ticket office was surprisingly shut. It was a while later I established that the Ferry had failed its Sea trials, and so the only way of getting there was by this small tin can, powered by a hair dryer, that when fully crammed, fitted just about a (slimline) rugby team.
The next day, I arrived at Guernsey airport (about the size of a Tesco local) and a guy in a high-vis shirt, took my cases and packed them on board, as I wedged myself in a seat. The same guy then sat in the pilot’s seat and flew it, after informing us that the flight time was fifteen minutes and we were going to reach an impressive 1000 feet. I was in that state of panic reserved for near death experiences (I get this feeling every time I sit on air travel) which was not helped when he asked my fellow travellers if they were hot, they murmured they were and so, and I swear I nearly threw up, he opened the window and continued to the destination with his elbow resting outside.
While I’ll be going through that torture, some people, and you could be one (yes, you there) could be heading over on possibly a more comfortable plane to beautiful (and EU bound) Croatia, for two of their longest-serving festivals – Garden Festival and the Electric Elephant, the former in its 8th year, and the latter the 6th.
Both festivals are in the same place in Croatia, and feature pretty much the same attractions; twice-daily Boat parties out into the Adriatic aboard the Argonaughty, a large open air club, beach bars and a main stage. The place itself is Tisno, and the site of the festival looks down from its hilly base onto the bay (and beaches) below. The beautiful town is just a ten minute walk, but with accommodation such as Shikar tents, Podpads and apartments available, there’s no need to stray far from the music, and parties.
The Garden Festival 2012 from Chris Leete on Vimeo.
The Garden Festival ‘The Next Step’ – Weds 3rd – Weds 10th July 2013
The Garden festival kicks things off and has managed to attract an enviable line-up. Live acts confirmed already include Metro Area, Space Dimension Controller, Crazy P and Land of Light. In addition, DJs include Floating Points, Eats Everything, Danny Krivit, Soul Clap, Theo Parrish and more. For a seven-day party, is there anywhere in Europe (or even further afield that can match that)
Electric Elephant – Thurs 11th – Mon 15th July 2013
Starting just about straight after is Electric Elephant (in fact Danny Krivit plays the official hand-over party) and if you thought the line-up for The Garden Festival Was good, then this is stellar. Officially confirmed so far, are (takes deep breath) Carl Craig, Frankie Knuckles, Mr Scruff, Andrew Weatherall & Sean Johnston, Michael Mayer & Tobias Thomas, Horse Meat Disco, Miguel Campbell, Doc Martin, Prosumer, Optimo, Justin Robertson, DJ Nature, Ivan Smagghe, Ewan Pearson, Pete Herbert, Boston Bun, Unabombers, Late Nite Tuff Guy, DJ Rocca, Chris Duckenfield, Lowlife and more. I mean, Carl Craig and Frankie Knuckles on the same bill? With Mr Scruff?
So you go, go on, and leave me, panicking and trying to force myself onto one of those awful 15 seat planes. And have fun won’t you…..
