Over the last month or so I've been in extensive contact with current ticket holders and those wanting to get on the waiting list. You'll forgive me if I'm not particularly chatty today.
The latest quarantine rules and localized lockdowns throughout the UK have, quite rightly, given some people second thoughts about attending and slowly over the last week or so we have seen the emails trickling in... "It is with a heavy heart I ask for a refund..." 

A favourite phrase I've used is "What a shit show!" I think that sums it up perfectly, don't you?

None of us are really any the wiser as to how 'all this' is going to pan out.

• Are your flights going to be cancelled before the event?
• Is the UK quarantine going to be relaxed for Spain by September?
• Will we still be wearing masks whilst sniffing poppers?
• Is that bastard Geoff gonna get sorted soon on Corrie?

Add the above to a few more uncertainties regarding Covid-19 and you'll appreciate why so many people have decided to put 2020 down to one whole bad experience and not travel abroad this year. On the grand scheme of things, it's not the end of the world but I know how heartbroken some of you are by having to make that awful decision.
 

How many are attending?

After refunding existing ticket holders, tickets were then offered to the waiting list via a private link. Despite over 180 being on the list not many 'honoured' their purchase. Today, after all the comings and goings we sit at just over 250 people attending. Given the circumstances, that's a great number and all those who have committed are fully aware of what's in store for them.

I expect that number to slowly rise over the coming weeks as more and more people decide to "Fuck it" and make that commitment. I also expect some who currently have tickets to decide it's a little too much to be travelling at the moment; and so the final numbers could be anything between 275 and 350 people for VB2020.
 

What's next?

I'm going to be as transparent as possible, as always. I STILL haven't got the faintest idea how this is all going to pan out. I obviously am hoping that the people who have bought tickets are still able to travel and the quarantine period on their return isn't too much of a hinderance.

If the event was to be happening tomorrow, I know for sure it would be absolutely amazing because, even with the mask wearing and the social distancing over here, life goes on and what a beautiful part of the world to be in, mask or no mask! I won't bore you with my thoughts on how the event is going to run this year and I won't bore anyone with the mechanics of what happens in different circumstances. You can read all that on the website.
There'll be pretty much 'radio silence' to the mailing list from here on in about September and I'll be communicating direct with ticket holders via a separate email method.

Can I still get tickets?

Yes. Tickets are on sale now via the website.

I am in no way, shape or form trying to blag you into coming. I am proud of you for making the extremely difficult decision to stay at home. That said, I have to state... if everything calms down and in three weeks you decide you want to come and the tickets have sold out, there is nothing I can do about it!

As it stands we have 72 tickets left on sale. If we never sold one more ticket, it really wouldn't make a lot of difference to the event itself. Actually, I lie. There would be more of you amazing people here, which HAS to be a bonus. The more tickets we sell, the more money there is to distribute to those attending in some way, shape or form but as you know "We ain't ever been 'bout that paper, so that's the last thing on our Goddamn mind."
 

Questions?

Q: I can't come now. Can I get my ticket money back?
A: No. You've had over 4 weeks to get your refund

Q: What happens if Spain gets put on lockdown before the event?
A: You can read about that before you buy your ticket. Visit the website

Q: Can I carry my ticket across to next year?
A: Next year??? We don't know what's happening in 12 days let alone in 12 months. VBW could well have changed forever because of all this.

These and all other answers are available on the website.
 

Finally

I just felt like saying (because I am always asked), despite all the uncertainty of VBW, life generally goes on unhindered over here.
I continue to live life in my own little bubble, rarely leaving the house. I walk to the gym 3 times a week and train in my mask and laugh and joke with the old boys in there. I walk back wearing my mask with not a soul near me. I'm as busy as ever with my website and graphics work and Michelle remains the soldier that she is, heading out that door every morning to earn an honest crust. We are more than surviving and extremely happy. I am fully aware that not everyone can boast this and am always reminded at just how fragile this thing called life really is and how we need to cherish it and one another every second of every day. Despite being happy, my heart is heavy for many of my friends.

However all this pans out, I look forward to a time when we can hold one another for just that little bit too long and getting the side eye from strangers. As you know, I could go on and on but I won't. I'll save it for the event programme.


My friend, thanks for reading. Come say "Hi" in the Pressure Radio chat room one week!

I love you more than you'll ever know. Even if we've never met!

Wardy