Desperate to save their loved ones, families turned to traditional faith healers, running up huge debts paying for treatment that not only didn't work but was often painful and dangerous. HIV testing wasn't available, and for the few who did know they were infected, there was no support or treatment. People were dying and things seemed beyond hope. And so to people who say that that we shouldn't give aid to Africa because it's not helping, I'd say you're chatting rubbish. I've seen with my own eyes that you're wrong, aid does work. It's real and it's making a massive difference.

I'm not going to be on an extensive alcohol free detox, avoiding sugar at all costs or forcing myself away from my electric blanket at the crack of dawn to worship the sun in a downward dog position.

Festivals. It's what we do best. A chance for us Brits to display our eccentricity come rain or shine - and we really don't mind rain.