otb

Much the same experience at the Baltic . Fabulous Lorna Simpson show, but got very wet getting there, and getting back (enough rain stories now).

wet wet wet

The local Anatolian Festival would have wound up any UKIP voter - the park full of turkish people, women in headscarves, eating pide. But actually it was just like most British summer fetes; lots of marquees with wooden tables and that strange tent/contained grass smell; lots of food stalls selling kebabs and burger and chips; a sound stage with echoing microphones, an over-large presenter and small children standing around looking shy; amateur acts of all sorts; and people dressed up in costumes seeming made out of badly dyed nylon.

And most importantly  - and making it a proper British May fete - it was pouring with rain, the ground was turning to a quagmire, and the marching band didn't look like they were going anywhere soon.