When I Met Devendra Banhart - End Of The Road, 2016

My life often feels like a series of strange coincidences. I've lost count of how many people from Walsall we met at End of the Road, some we already knew and others who, until last weekend, we'd never laid eyes upon but had spent decades living just streets away or went to the same school. It's not even as if the festival is nearby, it's a four hour drive away (or possibly two and a half if you're not in a 36 year old VW camper van!)

So I suppose it should have come as no surprise that within days of finding Family, a glossy photography book featuring the wonderfully bohemian lifestyle of American artist, musician & pretty damned gorgeous Devendra Banhart in a charity shop, the End of The Road announced that he was going to be headlining.

At the last minute I chucked the book in my bag to show to some of the other stallholders. Several (very flatteringly) commented that I looked like I belonged in the book.

When we found out that he was appearing in the signing tent Heidi (our trading neighbour) and I decided to go and stalk him say hello. Oh wow, you're amazing, don't we know each other already? were his first words when I reached the front of the queue. I handed over my book and chatted for a minute or so before Heidi and I ran outside shrieking and bouncing up and down like a pair of giddy teenagers.

My 50p charity shop bargain suddenly became priceless.

And what of the rest of the End of the Road? Our second year of trading there went brilliantly. Sadly the weather didn't play as nicely but it didn't stop the festival goers, crew and performers from buying everything from American cowboy shirts, 1960s dresses & Harris Tweed to fake furs and handmade crop tops.

Kinky by night

Jon & his menswear department (all of his vintage Americana collection sold)

Our ninth of the season and I'm not still not jaded by the whole festival experience.

On Sunday morning I managed to explore the garden stage and walk the arts trail.

If you've never been to End of the Road then you really should, it's beautiful.

Again, we were lucky enough to be sited right opposite the main stage so we took it in turns to nip down and catch some of the headliners including the amazing Savages (a Gallic Siouxsie Sioux in silver Louboutins) who we first saw at End of the Road five years ago.

Fellow trader Adele & I joined these strangely dressed men (?) for Swedish psychedelic band, Goat.

If you were a fan of Jane's Addiction or early Stone Roses you'll love them. We did.

Another coincidence, Saturday night's headliner, Bat For Lashes (aka Natasha Khan) also featured in Devendra Banhart's book.

Devendra was wonderful, obviously. If you don't know him then check him out HERE.

We got back home at 5pm yesterday evening, had our first shower in almost a week and reacquainted ourselves with the cats and the tortoise. We've got 10 days to recharge, restock and to give Gilbert some much needed TLC before our final festival, V Dubs in the Valley, a week on Friday.

Wearing: Psychedelic late 1960s maxi (40p, from a jumble sale), Aldo leather boots (£1, car boot sale), Vintage 1970s quilted Indian cotton waistcoat (£2, car boot sale) 

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday.

PS Debbie, if you're reading this - get sewing!!