Rent a Caravan

The weekend had quite an Asian feel to it. First of all the Indian cricket team did a job on England at the Oval, a gig I had to turn down on Friday, due to work commitments (yes really). The thought of fish and chips and champagne did have a certain ring to it but unfortunately the number 12 shirt had to go to somebody else.

The match was, therefore, followed on teletext, the internet and test match special (TMS) on BBC Radio. England were always struggling to win after losing the toss, and yesterday the match ended in a draw giving the Indians a 1-0 series win.

I suspect a few of them would have like the match to finish inside three days so they could have taken themselves to the London Mela, billed as an Asian Glastonbury, which took place on Sunday in Gunnersbury Park. Her indoors and I wandered along to see what was what.

I was not sure what to expect although I did anticipate that the food would be conker and a few sitar's would be in evidence. I was spot on on both counts.

The amazing rotating barbecue certainly took centre stage and rather outdid the traditional rack and cardboard approach of the old school. They both produced excellent food though, and the smells drifting over West London were mouth watering.

There was an interesting arts and crafts market and shoes and clothes stalls had made their way up the road from Southall and were doing a brisk trade mostly amongst the Chiswickians I have to say though.

So, what of the music? Well the boy band B Tex were pretty good I thought, as were some of the dance groups on the smaller stages.

The sitar players just sat there and did their own thing, I guess they are the Asian equivalent of Leonard Cohen or Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells. Music to zzz to.

The main stage had the big name Asian bands playing and seemed to get the crowd going, although it was mostly the chaps who did the dancing. They do suffer from the British band malaise though in that they all seem to sound the same......put a collection of songs by Razerlight, The Kooks, Twang, The Killers The Arctic Monkeys, The Kaiser Chiefs and a few others together and they would be very samey. The Scissor Sisters greatest hits album has had to be delayed as they only have one track for it so far!!

So definitely worth a visit but whats this dagger business all about

.....hells grannies Indian style?