The Gentleman nobly steps into WLG’s Louboutins before packing his Hunters for Camp Bestival

Posted on 28/07/10

So dear reader, WLG has taken my advice and has gone out of town, wafting her fragrant and exotic self in some fragrant and exotic destination (Brighton). Poor girl; she does work it so hard and needs some good R&R. Anyway, she has asked yours truly (the aforementioned luscious-locked gentleman she slighted in last week’s blog entry) to gallantly come to her aid and do a bit of part-time West London Gentleman blogging for you.

As I mentioned last week, it is time you west London girls got out and about more. England is a fabulous country this time of year and while it is festival season in this smiling weather, there is no excuse. Okay, granted it is not the ideal date for those Louboutins or that flimsy little number by Miss McCartney, but Jimmy is doing a must-have wellie.

This weekend I will be pouring several young teenagers into a mini bus and, along with a larger tribe of metropolitans, trundling down to our small reservation of wigwams for the third year in a row at Rob De Bank's excellent family festival, Camp Bestival. Three days of music, Madness and reminding ourselves we can out-teenage the teenagers (to their chagrin).

So what does one wear – Wang? Berardi? Chloé? Millets? Well, every year you are expected to join in with the fancy dress theme, which is 'fairytale' this year. Even at this late date I am torn between Captain Hook or the Mad Hatter. West London Girl suggested that in my campness I do Snow White with press-ganged teenagers as my dwarfs. However, the only campness I will be doing is posh camping in the boutique campsite with hot showers, cold gin and excellent breakfasts courtesy of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall; then afternoon tea in the burlesque tent before a bit of real nutty boy Madness, The Human League, Marc Almond, Billy Bragg, the excellent Gentleman's Dub Club, the lovely Ellie Goulding and for the teenagers, Calvin Harris, Chipmunk, DJ Yoda, amongst many.

Okay, I know you’re wondering about the legendary festival toilets; not what a west London girl does. Granted, at times they can be grim portals to a fetid nightmare, but nothing wet wipes and a quick spray with your Chanel No 5 cannot fix. You can take the girl out of west London, but it’s okay to leave some of the west London in the girl.

Next week the original West London Girl will be back, spritely in her kitten heels, flowing and dynamic, and bubbling with news and gossip from your very own west end of this great city.

The Gentleman.