That's fantastic Ian! Thank you for sharing those indelible memories! I've been to a few festivals like that...
And it makes me feel a bit better about missing Blackbushe, which I really regretted, also being a big fan of Steel Pulse and Graham Parker (and Joan Armatrading until she came out for Thatcher).
I had a plane ticket I couldn't change and could actually see the festival site from the plane as I flew over it leaving the country. At least, like you, I got to see Bob at Earl's Court. First Bob show and it was a bunch of fun.