NB This report was prepared back in July during the Port Eliot Festival
And that includes me! I spent yesterday afternoon at Port Eliot. I went straight there on the train from Par Station. Alight St Germans for Port Eliot. From the station it’s a mere few steps to Never Never Land the Festival. For many months now I have been wondering whether I am going to “fit in” at a festival and whether I will really be any help as I neither knit nor crochet nor sew nor flower arrange. After one afternoon I still felt as if I was an observer and not a participant. Even though I had a wristband that said “Port Eliot Festival Crew”.
I think I will be quite safe from full festival conversion in the Dovegreyreader Tent. I already knew a couple of people and have now met four new ones including the very welcoming and hospitable Dave, the Dovegreyreader’s husband, who makes the tea and hands out food and generally turns his hand to anything that is required of him.
The decorations were just finished when I turned up and it was time for a cuppa and sandwich – most welcome but I felt I had done nothing to deserve them.
There’s a big programme of events (in both meanings of the word); the festival bookshop is right next door to us; there is food everywhere; there are stalls selling vintage stuff and there will be events all over the place.
“Somewhere near the heart of Port Eliot House is the Big Kitchen – just as somewhere near the heart of the festival is a passion for food. Over the weekend, local chefs and foodie legends give talks and demonstrations, celebrating all aspects of food from planting and growing to prepping and eating.”
My first taste was a delicious Gumbo from Strawbridge & Son BBQ Smokehouse which I took back with me to the B&B.
Also there are many many campers. From in front of the house you see a sea of tents of all shapes and sizes and colours … but I’m glad that’s not me. I will take the train back to my B&B each evening. Being vintage myself I am past that sort of thing!
Port Eliot Festival
It is all great fun and I couldn’t wait to get back today and to get started …
As I made my way to the station I noticed you can even stay in a vintage railway carriage at St Germans station.
miladysboudoir 
I must admit that the appeal of most things vintage is lost on me too, having seen it all the first time around! But the Love Lane Caravan is amazing – just like a Victorian tin tabernacle! I wonder if I can afford one? What would the neighbours say?
I think a tin tabernacle would fit nicely into your garden, nilly and I’m sure your neighbours would be green with envy! Not sure what I would do with one, actually.
This took on added interest for me since I visited in the area so recently – but probably just as well the festival was over already. I’d have bought too many things!
I felt as if I had all that stuff in my loft, cellar, garage, house already, Diana, and wondered about bringing it all down to Port Eliot next year and setting up my own stall!
Well, true. I could set up a jewelry store in my living room!
[…] year I was very happy to attend The Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall as one of Lynne’s team in the Dovegreyreader tent. At the time I decided that […]