Isn't the British summer a wonderfully refreshing experience? The annual mudfests up and down the land have opened up new opportunities for the furtherance and enjoyment of things we thought long gone, or at least, gone until winter. Things like trench foot, chilblains, athletes foot, the innovative use of snorkelling gear within ones own sleeping bag, and the desirability of a good long vest.

Wellies, too, have featured large this summer and with so many funky designs available you really can't fail to find yourself something lovely. We love 'em! They hose down, for one thing, so you can rid yourself of the odorous ordure that encases so many boots outside tents on the camping areas. Believe me, I've stumped past many a stinking mass with some boots in on my way to beddy-byes, and done so somewhat smugly I'll admit.















If you're a stylista who likes to be at the front of the pack, you'll already have got your hands on a pair of the fabby exclusive range of wellies by Haviana for Selfridge & Co, and at a very reasonable price too. Comparable in quality to faithful favourite brand Hunters mid-range boots, (Towsers favourite pair of Hunters lasted out 15 years of serious use! And she lives on a farm), these are a worthy investment in the £40 - £50 price bracket. You're also getting considerably more plastic for your pound than if you invest in the flip-flops for which they have become so wierdly famous. (£35 for flip-flops ..and you only see the design when you take them off. Am I missing something?) Classic Hunters are always hugely desirable, and, I think, worth the investment, but many copycat versions abound. If your piggy bank balks at the thought of long-term commitment to a pair of boots that'll outlast your boyfriend (and possibly your boyfriends' boyfriends' boyfriend), you can keep the mud off yer tootsies in true style for £25 or less by shopping around your local outlet stores. Or don't bother – go to bootkidz.co.uk and enjoy huge choice and great discounts without leaving your desk.

The wellie innovation of the year has to be the roll-up version by those fiendishly clever boffins at Amaort. A proper cleated hard-wearing sole with soft rubber uppers and their own carry case means you can easily pop them in your rucksack, and on the return leg, you won't be worried about them spreading festival field all over your stuff. Team your wellies, plain or patterned, with a good pair of bright, thick, knee-length socks, and you'll be dry and toasty all weekend and still be a minx in a mini-skirt. If you crowd-surf, tho', may I tactfully suggest leggings under that mini? TMI, girls, TMI....

So, what have I been listening to while I was becoming such an authority on funky rubberwear? Orseund Space Collective have featured large in my aural adventures, and I do recommend a listen. They charm their way in and then whisper "boo!" with sparkles. It really doesn’t matter if you're playing their CD to a yurt full of mellow-heads or up and grooving while still on the pints, because they'll have something to tease and titillate those neurons. I was very, very, inspired to blow bubbles though, and think the man in our paper shop might have doubts about me as one of his saner customers. If you liked Ozric, you'll love these...

I've also been giving an ear to Litmus and as any bandboy will tell you, I do give good ear. As do Litmus, and while I know that Aurora was the album that grabbed attention by being all ballsy and confident, I've happily rootled out Planetfall for another airing and I'm loving those Punky drums.

I also love Ian Craig. I can't single out a track; There – version 8 is the chart fave of the moment, but Palancia is so darkly delicious and there is oh-so-much else and also and even in between. I just love Mr Grumpy Ian Craig. I've got his name on my pencil case and everything. When I'm out counting headlice on the highway, he's the man in my ear of fickle choice. Bless.

If you like your music live and lairy (and I think you all know by now that I do), the Guttersluts are well worth the bus fare and it's disappointing that they've not uploaded any tracks at the time of writing. I can also testify that Jungle Lion are highly knees-up worthy. We should all go and hear them in Sheffield more often, so that they can afford to leave and raise the roof in a pub near you. Or me, for that matter.

In August and September there's another chance or two to hear Jungle Lion; Oxide (such polish!) and Flutatious (get jiggy!) are bands who are certainly putting in plenty of appearances, and slickly smooth, seriously pro new boys Stolen Earth are in Newcastle, and they're up again on 17th September, just in case you missed them the first time. And where might I be? My singular hitch-hiking skills this season surely bear testimony to my love of a challenge and so here's one for you lot: if you spot me in the audience at one of your gigs, big up SA over your PA and I will kiss you for it, but beware cheap imitations...!



Lady Mondegreen