Siany and Jess go to play in the Hay

Yay! Hay! Wahay! Hey! Play in the hay! Etc.

We haven't got bored of saying stuff like that aaaaaall weekend. That picture? Just after we got settled and unpacked the tent and had a couple of hours to kill before Zoe Heller. That's my new summery dress and it's good champagne too. It was just about the BEST TIME OF THE WHOLE YEAR. This was the weekend before Jess goes back to Aus, so I'm pleased that we did very English things. I had hoped it might keep her here, and you know what it nearly almost did. Highlights of the trip?

We did these talks:

• Zoe Heller talking about her new book. Which was a fabulous talk even though neither of us have read the book.
• Immodesty Blaize (complete with a very special burlesque performance) in discussion with a very coked-up Stephanie Theobald. We're trying to find a way to bring the terms "I'm fine to drive, I've only had a Stephanie" and "She was utterly Theobalded" into drug slang, but we don't take drugs so it might be tricky. It was honestly the worst thing I've ever seen. You know that Meg Ryan/Parky interview? Like that, but you're actually in the audience wanting to stab out your own eye. Instead you have to listen to some self-aborbed gurning party bitch. Immodesty remained graceful throughout. I love her all the more for it.
  
• Fiona Shaw talking to Josephine Hart. This was my favourite talk. It was about grief and love and loss and was utterly fascinating (my novel crosses a lot of the same themes). We could have both sat there for another hour or two listening to them. Just two brilliant and articulate women talking about writing and life and politics.
• Mahmood Madami talking about Dafur. This was a little too heavy for me. Not least because I DON'T KNOW WHERE ANY COUNTRIES ARE. But also, it was sunny and I'd had some Pimms, and I was just getting into my book again and wanted to be reading in the sun.

We said these rather fun things:

• "Excuse me madam, your breasts are glazed" - we actually said that on the train up and we were pretty sure nothing would beat it. That might be true forever.
  
• "Nick Cave already looks like a Bassett Hound."
• "Would we go to Hay festival if it was sponsored by The Daily Mail?" Would we?
  
• "You are a strong, grown up, opinionated woman."

What else did we do?

• Nothing . Lots of nothing.
  
• Lots of reading. It was a book festival after all. I finished Time Traveller's Wife for the second time. Made me cry again.
  
• Zoe Heller signed my book. (Her book, not Time Traveller's Wife, although that would have been funny). She's ace. Very polite. One of those ladies who just ooze grace and intelligence. She'd actually finished her signing and was on her way to do a filming (for the Sky coverage?) so it was extra nice of her.
  
• FROZE TO DEATH. In our stupid tent. Next time, we're splashing out on a B&B. Also, dear Hay festival: Put the campsite NEXT to the festival site you idiots.
• Drank lots of Pimms, champagne, tea.
  
• Ate real ice creams. We ate great food actually.
  
• Gossiped about everything in the whole world.
• Watched little old couples walking about the place looking happy and in love in their seventies. Just having fun and reading their books. Warm fuzzies.
• I might even have a teensy bit of colour on my skin.
  

Everyone is friendly in Hay. People wanted to talk to us. They chatted for no reason. Just happy friendly staff EVERYWHERE. Like the people in the vintage shop we popped into today who knew of a very good B&B so we could stay there next time instead of camping. They couldn't find the number so they gave me their card. I'm to call them next week so they can give me the number for next year. Seriously, how lovely is that? I bought a little vintage milk jug from them. Hay is a pretty pretty bookish people town full of lovely. There's a castle! That they've turned into a bookshop! And it's beautiful. This weekend was everything about Wales that I love.

Just with added books, and lovely Jess for company.