MIA

I will me Missing in Action this year - for perhaps the best line-up they've had. This would have been our eleventh consecutive year (nothing compared to some I know) but we can't make it. I'm missing it badly already and am more than sad we won't be there. We first went in 2007. My wife had died in the summer of 2006 at just 43, leaving me with children 12 and 8. I had gone to a lot of festivals in the 80s but going to Green Man with two children was a bit of a leap in the dark; we were naive, badly equipped and it was a wet year. But we stuck it out; more than that we had a brilliant time. And we never stopped coming and we never stopped having a great time. Green Man became woven into our lives, perhaps the true highlight of the year, and surrounded by all kinds of traditions that made it special for us as a family. The first glimpse of the site always gave me a thrill. Sometimes there were friends there but this was something we did for us. Of course, our experience changed - last year, for the fist time, both children were old enough to go to the bar for me - and the last two years my American girlfriend (now wife) has come over to join in and we became partners in Green Man crime and mischief. It was a blast. Now I live in the US and this year we simply couldn't afford to fly back. Perhaps we'll make it again in the future; I certainly hope so. 

So, thanks Green Man for ten wonderful years and countless brilliant moments and experiences. It has meant the world to me. I shall be raising a glass to each and everyone of you next week. 

Veuf