Moongazy Camp cakes

Stonewylde paddock - just for us!

Everyone chilling out

Last weekend’s Moongazy Camp was the biggest and best yet.  We were blessed with the most glorious hot weather as the sun shone down on us from dawn till dusk.  Stonewylde readers gathered from all corners of the land for our annual get-together, which each year becomes more and more friendly and almost tribal.

Cake and more cake!

The camp is organised by Swampy, whom I first met seven years ago when the self-published edition of Solstice at Stonewylde, the third book in the series, was launched. He was a shy and blushing lad then, tagging along nervously with his Stonewylde-mad partner who’d come to a book-signing.

Swampy the organiser

Today he organises the huge rally near Avebury every year, where so many Stonewylde fans meet up amid hugs, laughter and a lot of cake.

Moongazy Camp is deliberately low key.  It’s not about workshops or timetables, but all very free and easy. We have a group barbeque, a campfire, jamming sessions, a craft fair selling homemade things, and a lot of chilling out. Some people go into Avebury and West Kennet to spend time amongst the amazing stones and in the long barrow.  Others never leave the camp.

Jamming session

When Mr B created the first Stonewylde forum so many years ago, he started something truly wonderful. Real friendships have bloomed over the years – from the first tentative meet-up  for the day in Avebury, to today’s huge camp.

Moongazy sisters - fans from the start

 

There are also many other more local get-togethers throughout the year. It’s such a long way for people from Yorkshire,Cornwall and Norfolk to come, and yet they do.

Finding love at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014Several couples are together today because of Stonewylde.  They met through the forum and after meeting in real life, have embarked on a live-in relationship! I find this astonishing, but I suppose that if both people love Stonewylde, they already have a great deal in common as the books explore quite deep and fundamental issues.

Enjoying the campChildren at Moongazy CampThe camp is for people of all ages – I don’t know the age of the oldest person there this year, but the youngest one was only nine months old (and he was wonderful – a gorgeous baby!).  Many people bring along their children and teenagers, who all seem to get along splendidly, as do the many dogs.  Drax enjoyed his time very much, and all the fuss made of him.

Drax at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014Swampy and Lee set up, each year, the brilliant Solstice Cafe in a gazebo. This provides free tea and coffee for everyone – very helpful if you don’t have an electric hookup.  Many Stonewylders bring along cakes to share, and this year the cakes were particularly delicious and abundant.

There are many talented musicians amongst us, and even more keen learners.  Every year the music is fantastic, with impromptu sessions as well as the main one on Saturday night around the camp fire.

Drumming circle at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014Gong playing at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014

This year we were joined by story-teller Cliff Eastabrook who ran a drumming circle in the afternoon, and then entertained everyone with stories around the campfire.  Mr B played his gong in a bell-tent (and I’m trying very hard to persuade him that we NEED a bell-tent of our own) and the whole camp was alive with music and song.

Camp fire at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014Next year’s dates have been booked already (always the weekend in the middle of May) as we’re lucky enough to have a whole paddock at the campsite just for Stonewylde.  We have access to a barn and indoor barbeque area, in case the weather is bad, as well as permission to build a huge camp-fire.

Morning tea at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 20142015 sees the Tenth Anniversary of publication of Magus of Stonewylde. Already there are plans afoot to make next year’s Moongazy Camp very special indeed.  Many of this year’s people have already booked their places as Swampy will have to put a limit on how many can come.

Craft fair at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014

I feel so honoured, every year, that all these people get together and have such an amazing time because of my books. I stand there and gaze around and almost have to pinch myself.  Funny to think that my publisher and bookshops place Stonewylde as teen reads –  the teenagers at Moongazy Camp are there because their parents are such avid fans!

Stonewylde tattoo at Moongazy Camp 2014I’m already excited about next year’s camp. I’m very, very grateful to both Swampy for dedicating huge amounts of time and effort into making the camp such a success, and to all the wonderful Stonewylders for making it so special.Kit and Mr B at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014

The lady on the left is proud of her incredible Stonewylde tattoo, and has my signature permanently inked on her arm as well! The camper-van below has been spotted around the country by many – a permanent advert for Stonewylde.  This kind of loyalty is quite mind-blowing, and every year I return from Moongazy Camp feeling completely humbled by the dedication of my lovely readers.

Fan camper van at Stonewylde Moongazy Camp 2014

 

 

20 Comments

Comments are closed.

  1. Sujee 9 years ago

    Beautifully put Kit! It was a wonderful weekend indeed – sunshine, laughter, fun, drumming, jamming, loving and sharing – all part of the friendly loving Stonewylde ethos. Thank you for bringing us all together in the first place. So many of us are tearful (with happiness) on arrival at camp and even more so on leaving.
    Blessings to you and Mr B. xxx

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Ah thanks, Sujee! I felt tearful leaving the camp – can’t wait for next year! xxx

  2. kay 9 years ago

    Well said kit,we both had a lovely time and always come home feeling refreshed and relaxed. I keep having to explain about the shiny bits in my hair(fairy strands), most people just say, oh lol. Mr b you really do need a bell tent

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      That made me laugh, Kay – everyone asks me too about the fhairy strands! So glad you enjoyed your second camp, and I can’t thank your daughter enough for the amazing cakes and beautiful Moongazy decoration. See you all next year!

  3. Swampy 9 years ago

    A fantastic write up of what can only be described as the best Moongazy camp ever!!! Seeing all the happiness, love and laughter over the time at Moongazy is worth every minute spent on organising this event. Thank you Kit for your very kind words. Roll on 2015!!!

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Not sure I did you justice here, Swampy. You really were – and are – a star!

  4. AuroraButterflyMoon 9 years ago

    It was the best camp ever and I love meeting up again with all my Stonewylde family or should that be clan? Friendships have been forged which will last a lifetime. I too get asked about Fhairy strands and they have been commented on in both both Eastenders and Holby where I’ve been a supporting artist (extra).
    Kim has bell tent envy too.
    Long may Moongazy Camp continue. X

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Bell tent envy – love it! I do find it strange that nobody uses a tipi – when I camped at the Wessex Gathering a few years ago, everyone seemed to have tipis. Your Marigold Balm is working wonders, by the way, on those insect bites!

  5. kas 9 years ago

    Fabulous! I’ve camped at all of them and they just get bigger and better. This was my best camp yet! We have a wonderful community and it’s something to cherish. These memories I will keep forever and I feel privileged to know you all and I thank you all too. What great memories to look back on in my old age! More to be made yet though

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Absolutely – I hope we’re still taking part in Moongazy Camps when we’re very old crocks! I just wish it could be for longer, but I’m really going to try and stay a whole week next year.

  6. John Ferngrove 9 years ago

    Indeed a most memorable weekend. I didn’t know what to expect, but I got far more warmth and friendship from it than I expected. Love and thanks to you all.

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      John, it was lovely to have you there! It’s a time of renewal of friendships for many of us, some of them going back to when Stonewylde was first published nearly nine years ago. But the Moongazy Camp is also a time to meet new people and form new friendships, and it was lovely to have a lot of new blood this year. I’m so glad you came, and look forward to seeing you again.

  7. solsticedreamer 9 years ago

    oh Kit what a wonderful write up for such a wonderful camp.
    the atmosphere was just amazing and we were all filled with real Moongazy magic 🙂
    who knew that Stonewylde and a little meet up in Avebury would lead to this!

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Who indeed? I really appreciate all that you do – just wish I’d seen your craft items which I somehow missed! And I never read the feature in that mag either! Next year I’m determined to stay for a whole week.

  8. Dandy moon 9 years ago

    It certainly was an amazing camp this year. I don’t think I have laughed so much as I did this year! I love the fact it is so informal and look forward so much to listening to all the music played by all the talented stonewylders. I feel so blessed to be part of such a wonderful group of people, I have made some strong friendships because of Stonewylde, friendships I treasure so much with people who I can say I love very much. Such a kind caring bunch of people. Thank you Kit for giving us Stonewylde. xx

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Ah, that’s lovely! I feel the same, and still can’t quite believe the thing that we’ve all created together. Long may it last!

  9. bluebellfae 9 years ago

    Such a lovely read, makes me long for next year’s even more, my deposit will be in the post tomorrow xx

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      Brilliant – see you there next year! I know Swampy said he’s had many deposits in already – lots of places booked and it’s almost a year away!

  10. Rose 9 years ago

    What a lovely blog, full of so many fond memories of yet another brilliant camp. The Stonewylde magic always does its work on me and I returned home yet again refreshed and ready to face the Muggle world! This camp was the best yet but of course 2015 is yet to come . . .! Thank you Swampy for organising it as ever and to Kit – for all the continued magic )O( xx

    • Author
      Kit Berry 9 years ago

      It was lovely to see you again – beautiful harp playing and I hope next year you and Crystal will play us some more, with your sister accompanying!
      Hard to get back into Muggledom, isn’t it?

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?