Innocent Village Fete Saturday August 4th Regents Park

One of the hottest days of the year, and we're at a vilage fete with very little shade, and no water stand!

I couldn't believe we couldn't find a free water point. We were very hot indeed today. In years past Innocent the smoothie makers have put on the Fruitstock festival in Regent's Park, but this year they changed their approach and held a village fete, which in it's idea was great. We had beer tents with olde pub names, a village green for activities such as duck herding and dog agility, three or more stages for music, and many stalls with a fete theme. We saw old style fun and games like welly wanging, ferret racing and coconut shies.

A fun fair was down one end, and the music was up the other. Onle problem was there was no where to sit and chill out. There were bodies everywhere, and if they weren't lying in the sun they were queueing for beer and Pimms.

It was fun, but far too hot, and unlike the Ben & Jerry day the week before, they weren't giving out enough free Smoothies! Especially as there was no water point - did I mention that? We eventually found some shade in the afternoon and camped out near the 'Village Hall' music tent and caught some of the acts.

Earlier in the day I enjoyed Hush The Many, an alt folk band with cello and pounding drums. Later, once we'd found shade we enjoyed The Heavy, bluesy rock; The Haggis Horns, organ driven funky soul (but not loud enough) and the headline act was Geno Washington who still belts them out when he needs to.

The Village Fete was a great idea, some lovely touches - the chalk boards in front of the arenas with running times, all the different bins for recycling, but I felt there was a lack of attention to the basics ... I'm looking forward to next year's Evian Water Festival!