"Nature writing in particular has celebrated stories of demanding physical feats instead of quotidian reflections on bodies and landscapes in processes of difficult, slow and sometimes mysterious change." (From the Foreword by Samantha Walton.)
#Hopefest #Chronicillness
#Hopefest #Chronicillness
May 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"Nature writing in particular has celebrated stories of demanding physical feats instead of quotidian reflections on bodies and landscapes in processes of difficult, slow and sometimes mysterious change." (From the Foreword by Samantha Walton.)
#Hopefest #Chronicillness
#Hopefest #Chronicillness
As a new day dawns at #Hopefest, Painicorn is on the decks, waking everyone up with 9 to 5. Fairyality fae are *huge* Dolly fans, of course. They think she's magical (and they're right) youtu.be/UbxUSsFXYo4?...
Dolly Parton - 9 To 5
YouTube video by DollyPartonVEVO
youtu.be
May 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
As a new day dawns at #Hopefest, Painicorn is on the decks, waking everyone up with 9 to 5. Fairyality fae are *huge* Dolly fans, of course. They think she's magical (and they're right) youtu.be/UbxUSsFXYo4?...
Baby Dragon has made his tinfoil tiara, complete with unicorn horn. 'I'm a Unidragon' he says
'Yes,' says Wombat. 'That's very good'
'I made you a magic wand because your lesson was MAGIC'
'Thanks', says Wombat, as Elf appears to collect Baby Dragon. 'Time for the science tent'
'Yay! I love science'
'Yes,' says Wombat. 'That's very good'
'I made you a magic wand because your lesson was MAGIC'
'Thanks', says Wombat, as Elf appears to collect Baby Dragon. 'Time for the science tent'
'Yay! I love science'
May 11, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Medusa has taken over the decks, wearing her trademark silver-lensed glasses. As she blasts out Girl Power, Elf sees a swell of mermaids wheeling to the dance field. He wonders if the mermaid he's fond of is with them. Maybe he should go for a dance near the mermaids? www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrk2...
Shampoo - Girl Power
YouTube video by 0mindthegap0
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Passenger follows Grace Petrie in the folk tent at #Hopefest www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWKT...
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
Passenger | Scare Away The Dark (Official Video)
YouTube video by Passenger
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Passenger follows Grace Petrie in the folk tent at #Hopefest www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWKT...
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
'They need an alarm clock,' says Baby Dragon, dancing to Broken Peach at #Hopefest. They keep singing about people waking them up. What if they're alone? Should we get them one?'
'I don't think they're being literal,' says the elf 'but well done for the kind thought' www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kiH...
'I don't think they're being literal,' says the elf 'but well done for the kind thought' www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kiH...
Broken Peach - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
YouTube video by Broken Peach
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:14 AM
'They need an alarm clock,' says Baby Dragon, dancing to Broken Peach at #Hopefest. They keep singing about people waking them up. What if they're alone? Should we get them one?'
'I don't think they're being literal,' says the elf 'but well done for the kind thought' www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kiH...
'I don't think they're being literal,' says the elf 'but well done for the kind thought' www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kiH...
Sparks oblige by playing Music That You Can Dance To www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oyg... 'This is a FAB song to dance to' says Baby Dragon, swooping in the air. 'That's what @sparksofficial.bsky.social wrote it for, says the elf - deciding not to mention it was because they were cross with a record exec
Sparks - Music That You Can Dance To (Official Video)
YouTube video by S P A R K S
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
'I'm having so much fun,' says Baby Dragon. 'I was only little for the last #Hopefest so I didn't remember much about it. But I'm a BIG dragon now.'
'Yes, you are,' says the elf, watching as Baby Dragon starts dancing and signing along enthusiastically to I Feel Good.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GFW...
'Yes, you are,' says the elf, watching as Baby Dragon starts dancing and signing along enthusiastically to I Feel Good.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GFW...
James Brown I Feel Good BSL
YouTube video by tamaras signed songs
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:42 PM
How beautiful. I'm putting together another #Hopefest for 5th May, if you'd like to get involved by doing a reading or getting involved in some other way - lots of ideas in the post groweatgift.com/2020/03/19/h...
Hopefest: A Festival of Hope
The world needs more hope right now, so Fairyality joined forces with the Varks to create a festival of hope on Saturday 21st March to launch Hopefest: a new virtual online festival that only stops…
groweatgift.com
April 28, 2025 at 10:51 AM
How beautiful. I'm putting together another #Hopefest for 5th May, if you'd like to get involved by doing a reading or getting involved in some other way - lots of ideas in the post groweatgift.com/2020/03/19/h...
SO helpful & so obvious now you write it: thanks v much. Will try. Also simplifying #Hopefest: it got rather full-on. Was supposed to fit on 1/2 my front room table for a weekend. Ended up taking over whole front room, including full size tented area for me to sit in & never ending. I miss festivals
January 25, 2025 at 5:21 AM
SO helpful & so obvious now you write it: thanks v much. Will try. Also simplifying #Hopefest: it got rather full-on. Was supposed to fit on 1/2 my front room table for a weekend. Ended up taking over whole front room, including full size tented area for me to sit in & never ending. I miss festivals
Zebby the Zebra is busy at #Hopefest today. He's moved from setting up the storytelling fire to putting signs up at the castle, where there's Scrabble for people to play by the fire. Do you play Scrabble? What's the best place you've found to play online?
May 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The folk tent at #Hopefest has opened, and Lick the Tins are filling the tent at speed www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kOR... 'Shall we go for a sit down in the folk tent,' asks the elf. 'Not yet,' says Baby Dragon. 'I like dancing in the sunshine. There's more room to fly here.'
The elf sighs. He tried...
The elf sighs. He tried...
Lick The Tins - Can't Help Falling in Love (Official Video)
YouTube video by 48 a
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:47 AM
"We can't fake the way we feel
We were born to keep it real
Hockey sticks & balls of steel
We are St. Trinian's" sing the mermaids.
Judging by their enthusiasm, Elf suspects they opted to have the limitless goblets of honey-cider. They're still dancing well though...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Yt...
We were born to keep it real
Hockey sticks & balls of steel
We are St. Trinian's" sing the mermaids.
Judging by their enthusiasm, Elf suspects they opted to have the limitless goblets of honey-cider. They're still dancing well though...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-Yt...
Girls Aloud - St Trinians Chant
YouTube video by GirlsAloudVEVO
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:23 AM
The film tent has opened now & is showing But, I'm a Cheerleader. The mermaids move to the tent & the crowd of fae drawn to their seductive singing disperses to explore the #Hopefest site, slightly disappointed, slightly relieved that the mermaids have stopped singing www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuSw...
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999) | Full Movie | Natasha Lyonne | Michelle Williams
YouTube video by TheArchiveMovies
www.youtube.com
May 10, 2025 at 9:38 PM
The film tent has opened now & is showing But, I'm a Cheerleader. The mermaids move to the tent & the crowd of fae drawn to their seductive singing disperses to explore the #Hopefest site, slightly disappointed, slightly relieved that the mermaids have stopped singing www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuSw...
The folk tent at #Hopefest has opened, and Lick the Tins are filling the tent at speed www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kOR... 'Shall we go for a sit down in the folk tent,' asks the elf. 'Not yet,' says Baby Dragon. 'I like dancing in the sunshine. There's more room to fly here.'
The elf sighs. He tried...
The elf sighs. He tried...
Lick The Tins - Can't Help Falling in Love (Official Video)
YouTube video by 48 a
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 4:06 AM
The folk tent at #Hopefest has opened, and Lick the Tins are filling the tent at speed www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kOR... 'Shall we go for a sit down in the folk tent,' asks the elf. 'Not yet,' says Baby Dragon. 'I like dancing in the sunshine. There's more room to fly here.'
The elf sighs. He tried...
The elf sighs. He tried...
The elf feels much better after a cup of chai, and Baby Dragon even sat down for a few minutes to drink their milkshake. 'Are you having fun at #Hopefest?' asks Baby Dragon
'I'm feeling good,' says the elf, smiling as the music matches his mood www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwR...
'I'm feeling good,' says the elf, smiling as the music matches his mood www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwR...
Muse - Feeling Good (Video)
YouTube video by Muse
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
The elf feels much better after a cup of chai, and Baby Dragon even sat down for a few minutes to drink their milkshake. 'Are you having fun at #Hopefest?' asks Baby Dragon
'I'm feeling good,' says the elf, smiling as the music matches his mood www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwR...
'I'm feeling good,' says the elf, smiling as the music matches his mood www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwR...
Broken Peach are on the main stage at #Hopefest. Baby Dragon is excited: they love Broken Peach. 'Can we go to the front of the stage?' they ask the elf. 'I suppose so,' says the elf, spotting a row of comfy looking chairs near the front of the stage. Finally: a rest! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExbN...
Broken Peach - Get Ready
YouTube video by Broken Peach
www.youtube.com
May 6, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Broken Peach are on the main stage at #Hopefest. Baby Dragon is excited: they love Broken Peach. 'Can we go to the front of the stage?' they ask the elf. 'I suppose so,' says the elf, spotting a row of comfy looking chairs near the front of the stage. Finally: a rest! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExbN...
At 6pm in #Hopefest, I'll share some of my favourite nature books & read a couple of extracts on the nearby wild from my new nature memoir, Land Beneath the Waves, published by @summersdalebooks.bsky.social next month. I hope you'll come & share your faves too.
#bookfest #booksky #naturewriting
#bookfest #booksky #naturewriting
Welcome to the #Hopefest Nearby Nature Tent aka my window seat. I love to sit here, especially if I'm not feeling too good. I can be 'outside' but still sat in the warm. Today it's where we can share festival nature music, fab books, art & lots more. Please share your special festival spot too.🧵 1/4
May 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
At 6pm in #Hopefest, I'll share some of my favourite nature books & read a couple of extracts on the nearby wild from my new nature memoir, Land Beneath the Waves, published by @summersdalebooks.bsky.social next month. I hope you'll come & share your faves too.
#bookfest #booksky #naturewriting
#bookfest #booksky #naturewriting
'Alright,' says the elf, as Supergrass blasts out the speakers www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUE4... The song reminds him of his youth, & Baby Dragon's enthusiasm's infectious. 'But we need a rest soon. Maybe you'd like to try some crafting?'
'OK, but not yet. I've got more dancing to do' says Baby Dragon
'OK, but not yet. I've got more dancing to do' says Baby Dragon
Supergrass - Alright (Official HD Video)
YouTube video by Supergrass
www.youtube.com
May 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Wombat, a key figure in the arts and Crafts movement, has kindly offered to look after Baby Dragon. 'I need to tidy the coffee filter flowers away - we made lots,' he says to Baby Dragon.
'Are you spaced out by all the flowers?' asks Baby Dragon 'I heard someone saying they were spaced out earlier'
'Are you spaced out by all the flowers?' asks Baby Dragon 'I heard someone saying they were spaced out earlier'
May 11, 2025 at 2:16 AM
'Can we go swimming?' asks Baby Dragon. 'The book makes me want to get in the river'
'Maybe. There's swimming at the #Hopefest lake. You've had swimming lessons, haven't you?'
'I am an EXCELLENT swimmer,' says Baby Dragon. 'I almost never end up drowning'
'Almost?' asks Elf.
bsky.app/profile/nicw...
'Maybe. There's swimming at the #Hopefest lake. You've had swimming lessons, haven't you?'
'I am an EXCELLENT swimmer,' says Baby Dragon. 'I almost never end up drowning'
'Almost?' asks Elf.
bsky.app/profile/nicw...
"... as though someone had touched the water and it remembered. They might slowly, sometimes bumping into each other as they drift downstream. It's mesmerising, weird and comforting, this layering, mobile architecture of flow." What a description of moving water @amyjanebeer.bsky.social!
#Hopefest
#Hopefest
May 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Passenger follows Grace Petrie in the folk tent at #Hopefest www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWKT...
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
'I'm not scared of the dark,' says Baby Dragon. 'Unless there are princes around. They're really scary - dad told me to always be careful around princes with swords. He said they can be dangerous to dragons'
Passenger | Scare Away The Dark (Official Video)
YouTube video by Passenger
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:47 AM
'I'm not tired AT ALL,' says Baby Dragon, as they soar & swoop in the air to Walkin' on the Sun www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQj-... 'Can we go to the sun & walk on it after #Hopefest?'
'It's a bit hot,' says the elf.
'I'm a dragon. I don't fear heat' says Baby Dragon, breathing out a tiny burst of flame
'It's a bit hot,' says the elf.
'I'm a dragon. I don't fear heat' says Baby Dragon, breathing out a tiny burst of flame
Smash Mouth - Walkin' On The Sun
YouTube video by SmashMouthVEVO
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 1:46 AM
"Micro-eddies, upwellings, swirls and little dimples. The latter must be the result of vortices, tiny ones rigging at the surface from below. They look like fingerprints..."
#Hopefest
#Hopefest
May 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"Micro-eddies, upwellings, swirls and little dimples. The latter must be the result of vortices, tiny ones rigging at the surface from below. They look like fingerprints..."
#Hopefest
#Hopefest
If you're around on Monday afternoon or evening on Bluesky, do join in with #Hopefest and visit my nature "tent" to get involved in sharing all things wild. 😁💚🐛🦕🐞🦉🪰🦊🦆🕷️🐝🐦⬛
(Spot the odd one out...)
(Spot the odd one out...)
Planning a nature tent for #Hopefest on May Day & getting v. excited about it! Nature art, book sharing, nature table, music, readings & creative nature comp.
As I wrote that last sentence, I saw a kestrel hovering in the distance from my bedroom window. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE! Good omen!
As I wrote that last sentence, I saw a kestrel hovering in the distance from my bedroom window. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE! Good omen!
Later in 2025, I'll be running another #Hopefest: prob May (tbc) Want to join in with a tiny festival of #hope? Whether you have cute creatures, fab music, fun arts & wellbeing ideas or another idea for a virtual festival, let me know if you would like to get involved groweatgift.com/2020/03/19/h...
May 2, 2025 at 11:04 AM
If you're around on Monday afternoon or evening on Bluesky, do join in with #Hopefest and visit my nature "tent" to get involved in sharing all things wild. 😁💚🐛🦕🐞🦉🪰🦊🦆🕷️🐝🐦⬛
(Spot the odd one out...)
(Spot the odd one out...)