Our VIP Glastonbury winner returns

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After finally managing to drag herself out of the Glastonbury quagmire our Q VIP Competition winner, Diana, had the chance to chat to us about her first Glastonbury experience, Firemen and all that mud…

Virtual Festivals: What was your first reaction when you found out you’d won the tickets?
Q Winner Diana: “I was elated and shocked at the same time. I was so happy to have the opportunity to go, and as a VIP - even better. Bizarrely I was with a Spanish friend when I found out that I had won and she didn’t know what Glastonbury was - I thought it was known about worldwide! So I was dancing about with delight and had to call an English friend who would understand my excitement.”

VF: Who did you take with you, and why?
Diana: “My friend James came with me as he was free for the weekend and it needed to be a festival person. Someone who didn’t like camping would not have suited. James was free and willing to drive and embark with me on the experience.”

VF: At what point in the lead up to Glastonbury did you invest in your wellies – if at all?
Diana: “I borrowed a pair of wellies from a friend but they were tight so I had a nightmare taking them off when they were covered in mud.  If I go again I will invest in a pair of wellies that have room in them to move and will slip off easy.”

VF: Did you secretly hope the weather would ‘turn out alright’?
Diana: “I secretly hoped the weather would turn but hey, Glastonbury is traditionally muddy after all. I don’t think it would be the same without it!”

VF: What were your previous Glastonbury experiences?
Diana: “I had not been to the festival before, I had only dreamed of going. I had only seen photos and news footage of it. So this year was the best for me - until the next time.”

VF: Did you fall over in the mud over the weekend?
Diana: “I managed not to fall over in the mud! I was so proud of myself.  With a little practice, wading through the mud became easier. Getting from one place to another was quite a mission. It was also a mission to do just about everything else, like take a photo or send a text or even eat. Anything that dropped on the ground was just about lost forever or mud sodden. It was a very interesting challenge so I always got food that I could stand up and eat.”

VF: If you could have taken anyone in the world to piggy back you around who would it be?
Diana: “If I could have anyone to piggy back me around it would have to be a fireman. They are renowned for being strong and are able to carry bodies easily. I’d like to suggest taking a little golf cart but it would have to be a four wheel drive and would probably get stuck.”

VF: Apart from sleeping, how much time did you spend by your tent?
Diana: “I explored from start to finish and I reckon we walked miles. I went back to my tent just to sleep as the extent of the mud meant that it wasn’t even possible to sit down, without a chair anyhow. I can only compare the mud to the sand effect: if you were camping on a beach then the sand would be everywhere!”

VF: What were your favourite areas of the festival?
Diana: “My favourite place was the Dance Village as there was always excellent dance music there. I saw Mr Scruff, Mika and Pendulum. My second favorite place was The Park, where I took lots of photos of all the spectacles. I spent a lot of time at the Pyramid and Other Stage too where I saw Lily Allen, The Kooks, The Killers and Paul Weller.”

VF: Who were your favourite acts of the weekend and why?
Diana: “All of the above.  I found it so cool to be able to walk from one tent to another and hear changes of music so close to each other.  It was all so surreal, especially seeing famous people in wellies. I heard about Shirley Bassey getting custom made boots.”

VF: What was the funniest or most random thing you came across?
Diana: “I think that the funniest thing that I came across has got to be seeing people do bizarre things in the mud. I saw a fab mud fight, people dancing, people sitting down to eat on benches provided, just surrounded by mud.  I enjoyed speaking to complete strangers by saying “you have a little mud on you there!” The reactions were hilarious to hysterical.”

VF: Was it as you expected?
Diana: “It was what I expected as I’ve seen photos from past festivals and although I expected the weather to be wet, I don’t think there is anywhere on earth it is possible to see so many people wading around in chocolate mousse.  The whole thing was impressive, I cannot think of anything that was left out.  The bands that played there were phenomenal and I feel so very lucky to have won the tickets! I don’t think I can think of anything that I could improve. The atmosphere was so surreal.”

VF: Was there ever a moment when you thought ‘I want to go home!’?
Diana: “I didn’t get that feeling at all. I might have if I had fallen over and not been able to have a shower! But I knew that I would be able to be free of mud when I got home. The whole experience was, well quite an experience - excellent memories.”

VF: Did you learn anything from Glastonbury? Any pearls of wisdom to pass on?
Diana: “I learnt that when I go again then I need to be more prepared with clothing and that most of the clothing will more than likely get mud on them at some point. It is also a good idea to plan the time there more efficiently in order to travel between one stage and another. I didn’t make it to all the acts I wanted to see as it took more time than predicted to get from one place to another!”

VF: If you could meet Michael Eavis what would you say to him?
Diana: “I would ask him if he enjoys it as much as the people that go.  I would also commend him on founding such as fabulous event. It’s amazing how many years it has been going on for.  I’ve no doubt that it has changed over the years, for the better, and I hope that it carries on becoming bigger and better!”

VF: Did you get out alright on Sunday night/Monday morning? How long did it take to get home?  
Diana: “I chose to leave on Sunday night and I am really glad that I did so as I didn’t have too much of a hard time getting out.  It took what seemed like all night to get back to London, but the journey was worth it. I had a wonderful time and boy was it great to get home and have a shower and get into a clean bed. Thank you once again!”

We would like to thank Q again for providing the VIP Glastonbury tickets, they were a great prize!

For more information about Q, or to buy this months Q Magazine please visit http://home.q4music.com/

• Event Information
• Glastonbury Festival 2007