Drove up to Hyde Park and arrived at about 2pm in plenty of time to see all the bands. Parking was really easy as there was a big sign saying "disabled parking this way" and it was free which was even better. I had been told beforehand that we would need to get a bus from the car park to the venue as it was quite a way and I had my reservations on how easy this would be? Well I shouldn't have worried as while I was getting out the car a nice man came over and asked if I was going to the concert, when I said yes he replied that he would bring the bus right over and help me in. The bus by the way is more of an extended golf cart with ramp but way suitable for the trip that we needed to make. All loaded on and within five minutes we were at the disabled entrance to the park venue, couldn't have been easier and again the bus was free but I did give him a tip.
Once inside the venue we spotted several disabled toilets and plenty of security/ staff to assist if help was required. Hyde Park is also fairly flat so it's easy to get around but as usual I always bring my trusty trike to make moving around so much easier. Fist things first we had to make contact with our other friends who were also coming so we started phoning, although the big problem is with so much loud music coming from the speakers no one can hear their phones ringing!! So after a few false starts we managed to make contact and met up in the centre of the arena. It was such a beautiful day that we all sat down on rugs and enjoyed the sunshine. Normally I don't bother getting out of my chair but as we would be here for quite a few hours I dropped down on the ground to join my friends at the same level. I also new that there were a couple of strong lads in the group to help lift me back in the chair when it was time to be off! A couple of guys then went off to the bar and came back with bottles of beer, a jug of Pimms and a jug of something called Moscow Mule?!! Which no one really new what it was but it was alcoholic, tasted good so HAPPY DAYS!!
There were two stages at the gig, the main stage and a slightly smaller one which had more indie bands on I thought at first, but then suddenly it was announced that The Stranglers were playing the second stage and we all wanted to see them. So quick sharpish I was bundled back into my chair, trike attached and we were off racing across the arena the other stage. When we got there it was packed solid and it looked like we wouldn't get anywhere near even the entrance, but you know there are sometimes bonuses to be a crip! We just sidled up to a security guard and said we needed to get to the disabled platform, quick as a flash he made everyone get out of the way and the next minute we were sitting up on the platform with the perfect view of the stage, happy days again!!
Later on for the main event Faye and I had decided that we would go and watch the show on the disabled platform at the main stage as it was next to the disabled exit and make for a quick getaway at the end. However we changed our minds and just watched it from the ground with the rest of our friends and it looked like others had chosen to do the same as I saw quite a few wheelchair users dotted around happy soaking the atmosphere up away from the disabled platform. The show was absolutely awesome and I enjoyed every single second of it. Sting was brilliant and everyone in the audience was singing their hearts out to songs first released nearly thirty years ago!!
The end came far too quickly but when it did we made our way to the exit which was so easy as most people were leaving via the main exit so we were out within 2 minutes. One minor problem was that due to health and safety rules the buses were not allowed to move for half an hour until the park was clear of pedestrians, which seemed like madness as most people had left and gone in the other direction. Faye and I decided that it would be quicker to walk/ use the trike as it had only taken five minutes on the bus and they were only electric carts so not particularly fast. We were right as fifteen minutes later we were at the car. Getting out of Hyde Park was also a synch as most traffic had gone the other way so literally an hour and ten minuets after the band stepped off stage I was dropping Faye off and heading round the corner to my house.
HAPPY HAPPY DAYS!!!!!