00.30: After hours entertainment doesn’t seem particularly extensive here really, so we head to the Groovy Movie tent for short films, many of which I must admit to having seen at rainy Glastonburys over the years. SP
10.00: I’m certain I’ve never slept so well at a festival before. I’m normally awake at the first slither of sunlight, but today I sleep in until 10 and crawl out to be greeted by a breakfast courteous of our new friend from liftshare.com. She not only proves wonderful in driving us from Manchester and back, but even shares her food and drink with us less prepared ruffians. Wonderful. SP
12.00: A jousting display takes place. No joke. With the delightful backdrop of Lulworth Castle, four dashing (yes! they were really dashing, too!) knights take to the sandy arena to fight in the true, chivalric manner upon steeds decked out in their colours. Children and adults alike tussle to give their favours to the knights and eagerly hang on to the fence, risking a sandy spray from flying hooves. SP
13.00: The dressing up boxes have been raided and everyone is clad in bright and bold colours, imitating characters of myth and fiction or history in surprising accuracy. However, a trend appears. Alice in Wonderlands, rabbits, Queens of Hearts, ostensibly Mad Hatters and even a flamingo wander past. We hear a record for the world’s largest Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is due to be attempted. SP
14.00: Gideon Conn undoubtedly needs no introduction to Fugitive Motel regulars, but to the mainstage crowd at Camp Bestival, he proves a revelation. Bounding on to the stage dressed in shorts and in his own t-shirt, he welcomes a bigger band that Mancunians would recognise. The atmosphere is electric, especially when the entire crowd recites Pylons and Wires - complete with hand movements - back to him. Posing for photographs and selling merchandise for an age after his performance indicated that for most people, Gideon is the find of the weekend. SP
15.00: King Creosote is very middle of the road, but there’s something about him that keeps me compelled. And he makes some wry comments about the beautiful weather. He certainly does rule OK. SP
15.45: The Camp Bestival theme is continued in their festival ambassadors – the Bluecoats. The Bluecoat tent is home to many unusual occurrences and at this time, we notice a small crowd has gathered.
Weasling our way in, two children are wrestling and the audience are actively encouraging it. What we quickly learn is that this is sock wrestling, and the small boys have the aim of pulling off the socks of their opponents. Mad, and strangely sinister, but wonderful entertainment. SP

16.00: You either love him or hate him. And he knows it, which is exactly why Billy Bragg chooses to sport a Marmite t-shirt. As usual, there’s as much banter as there is song, but it’s enjoyable, enlightening and wholesome. It’s true, especially when he dedicates A New England to Kirsty MacColl’s memory. SP
17.45: What do you mean everyone’s talking about Black Kids? They obviously don’t sound too great to us, as we fall asleep on the field as they blare around us. And we’re none the wiser. SP
22.00: Preparations for The Flaming Lips have been taking place slowly since Thursday. We’ve become used to seeing Wayne Coyne wandering around the site in a cream suit with suitably large lapels, supervising the assembling of a gong or the inflating of a net full of large balloons.
So we aren’t surprised when Coyne enters the arena from a giant sphere, rolling from the castle portcullis right the way through the crowd and up on to the stage. Confetti canons blast the crowds, the aforementioned gong lights up on every stroke, people dressed as superheroes dance on stage.
But best of all? The psychedelic and oft-distracting visuals, especially the one featuring the hungry komodo dragon and Takeishi’s Castle contestants. You need no further explanation. SP
23.30: DJ Yoda seems to have packed out the tent early on, so we head to the comedy tent for more from that loveable Canadian, Craig Campbell. SP
words: Sophie Parkes
archive pictures: Kate Goodacre