#NewtownFestival

Rachel invited me to a festival in Newtown to meet some of her friends. We had been to a house party the night before in Manly to one of her friend's houses that overlooked the harbour.

At the party it was great fun meeting her friends and I was soon initiated with an Aussi drinking game (despite most people being English).
Everyone stands in a circle and are renamed Bruce. One person begins by saying "G'day Bruce" to someone in the group. They reply with "G'day Bruce".
The first person then says, "say G'day to Bruce Bruce" (and points to a new Bruce). And so on until someone makes a mistake and then become a Sheila and have to do a shot. 3 shots later and I had become a Flaming Galah- the lowest name you can be in this game! Needless to say I was pretty terrible at the game and was starting to feel a tad dizzy so I opted out of the next round. All of Rachel's friends were lovely and good fun but the last bus to Dee Why was on its way so I had to head back.

The morning was a groggy one as the previous night's hangover punished me once more for being bad at the drinking games. I invited James to join us at the festival and we set off to meet Rachel in the city. Our first stop was a hang over pizza at Dominos. James was angry that they've upped the price from $5 to $6.20. I felt the same about the English Freddo chocolate bar once just 5p, that I saw on sale for 65p at Birmingham train station so I calmed him from

his tantrum with forced sympathy.

Rachel met us and we headed to Newtown. We were greeted by lots of hippies and festivities happening on the street. One house had a DJ on the balcony and a street party outside with one woman just dressed in a completely see through sarong shaking it for all to see!

The festival was much bigger than I had expected. Dozens of pop up stalls lined the paths selling trinkets and food and it wasn't long before Rachel and I treated ourselves to a crystal necklace each. The music at the top end was pretty dreadful and I wondered how long we would have to endure it whilst waiting for the rest of her friends.
Wrong stage! Thank goodness! Because my ears were beginning to split! The stage they were at, was the giant main stage surrounded by a football pitch sized field! Even more stalls and food stands! We also found a fun hat stand where Rachel and I posed in the most horrific headwear in sight.

I began to burn in the sun as I had accidentally left my Factor 50 at home! Luckily, in Australia you can always find free suncream so I lathered up and then got a cider. James and I also bought hot dogs that we ate in secret so that our new perspective friends wouldn't be put off by seeing us smothered in ketchup with onion stuck to our lips.

Once clean, we returned to enjoy the music and company. Everyone I met was so friendly and the conversations flowed nicely into the afternoon. We eventually got kicked out as the festival closed and headed to a bar for a couple of drinks before it was time to head home.