It was another great weekend at the "festival of the hugs" - after we eventually got there about 10.30 on Friday night. Started off with a late-night session at Drayton. We didn't get down to the town till Saturday. I've been reliably informed that we missed a GREAT event on Friday night with a Scottish pipe band. What a shame! But we managed to cram a lot into the next couple of days. Saw Rory McLeod and Barbara Dickson, followed by a good part of the Mudgather. Unfortunately we had left the chocolates we bought for it back in our caravan - but we were not left starving. Loved MGAS's little chocolate cornflake thingies, and scored a piece of her cake later on too!

We love the Caribbean food stall - I think it's our favourite of all the ones we've come across, so of course we had to have jerked chicken and plantains. We ate it in the foyer of the Mill Arts Centre while a couple of guys played popular songs and tunes. Great atmosphere! Then it was Patti and Ned, followed by Fake Thackray, Dave Burland and Cosmic Sausage - every one a gem! In fact we didn't see one act we didn't like all weekend!

Then it was back to Drayton for more late night sessioning - but not quite so late as Friday. We had every intention of waking up in time for the singing breakfast, but when the alarm went, bed was too comfortable, so we missed it. Maybe next year...

Sunday was just as good. Caught up with George P and Vanessa whom we hadn't seen for a while - then back in for a sing with the Exmouth Shanty Men, and the brilliant Becky Wolff and Steamchicken (probably the highlight performance of the festival for us) This resulted in us buying 4 of their CDs!

We were lucky to catch the Caribbean food stall again before they closed and had a lovely plateful of the mutton curry and salad. Then back to Drayton again where folks were chilling and working up to another session. This last one was a bit more intimate, and plates of sandwiches came out to go with the drinks. They are so helpful and welcoming there, and the camping site is excellent. Many thanks to them for all they do!

We stayed on Sunday night and packed up in a leisurely fashion the next day. It was only a weekend, but weekend festivals always seem longer (in the nicest way) because the days are so full. With all the stuff we did do, there was a lot we missed - never got to the dancing with Wild Thyme Border Morris, or the tune sessions, and we never made it to the Town Hall at all. But that's festivals for you - always so much to do! Thank you Merek'n'Dary for another fantastic Banbury festival! Looking forward to the Song and Ale in April next year, and of course next year's festival!!