Fergal
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My first festival.
May 15, 2008, 21:00
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This will be my first ever festival, what can I expect ? What tricks and tips can you pass on ?
I am bringing my wife and my two boys, 14 and 18, and stopping in a tent.
fergal
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rayrad
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Re: My first festival.
May 16, 2008, 08:15
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wellies for all
it seems obvious
but amazing how many people were trying to negotiate the swamps in converse and ballet pumps last year
so insist your kids wear them
they will thank you in the end...
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teaandtoast
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Re: My first festival.
May 16, 2008, 10:44
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I second the wellies point and think that camping chairs for all is a good idea too. If it's muddy (probably won't be but best to be prepared) it's nice to be able to take your chairs with you and set them up at the main stage or wherever so that you're not standing up all day which gets pretty tiring.
The walk from the car parks to the camp site is only 10 mins or so so don't worry about lugging all your stuff with you when you first arrive. Just bring your tents and whatever you can comfortably carry and then make a second trip for the rest once you've set up camp. No point getting all tired and sweaty when you first arrive.
It's worth spending a bit of time picking your camping spot. You want to be near enough to the loos for middle of the night trips to not be too much of a pain but not so close that you're disturbed by other people using them. I would probably try and camp with similar groups to you i.e families with older kids as you don't want to be disturbed by either crying babies or drunken loons.
There is all sorts of amazing food to buy for breakfast luch and dinner. But at approx five quid a pop for a main meal it can get a bit pricey if you buy every meal. And you will get really hungry from all the fresh air and walking about! Loads of people bring camping stoves / bbqs and we got into the habit of making cups of tea and sausage butties in the morning and also brought loads of fruit and snacks with us too.
The queues for the cash points get ridiculously long by saturday and sunday (I'm talking at least an hour's queue). Obviously you don't want to be carrying around loads of cash but It's worth getting some extra out earlier on to avoid wasting time standing around queuing. I have been known to get up and go to the cashpoint in the middle of the night to avoid this problem.
Can't think of anything else at the moment. Greenman's amazing - you'll love it.
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Mule
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Re: My first festival.
May 16, 2008, 11:53
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Lots of good advice here.
On the camping front, I'd say there's a tendency for people to camp close to the lanes, presumably for ease of staggering back. However, if it gets muddy, the lanes widen as people seek firmer ground and the edges of people's tents get a bit knackered. Best to pitch close to a landmark hedge, tree, fence, etc.
And if you wouldn't be seen dead in wellies, try a decent pair of boots with optional carrier bag lining!
And don't waste time in the pie minister line. There's loads of other good food available!
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surripere
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Re: My first festival.
May 16, 2008, 17:11
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Mule wrote: And don't waste time in the pie minister line. There's loads of other good food available!
Time spent in the pie minister line is not time wasted! They are very good pies! Agree - lots of other good food about including the Thali Cafe
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Nick_Jansky
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Edited May 16, 2008, 21:06
Re: My first festival.
May 16, 2008, 21:05
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surripere wrote: Mule wrote: And don't waste time in the pie minister line. There's loads of other good food available!
Time spent in the pie minister line is not time wasted! They are very good pies! Agree - lots of other good food about including the Thali Cafe
Surely the 14 year old could be bribed to stand in the Pie Minister queue? Maybe??
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Fergal
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Re: My first festival.
May 17, 2008, 07:32
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Nick_Jansky wrote: surripere wrote: Mule wrote: And don't waste time in the pie minister line. There's loads of other good food available!
Time spent in the pie minister line is not time wasted! They are very good pies! Agree - lots of other good food about including the Thali Cafe
Surely the 14 year old could be bribed to stand in the Pie Minister queue? Maybe??
Thats a good idea.
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Mule
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Re: My first festival.
May 17, 2008, 14:10
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surripere wrote: Mule wrote: And don't waste time in the pie minister line. There's loads of other good food available!
Time spent in the pie minister line is not time wasted! They are very good pies! Agree - lots of other good food about including the Thali Cafe
Must confess I've never head the stamina to stand in the Pie Minister queue. Always looks too daunting. And the look on the face of those in the queue is never that encouraging!
Although I should make it clear that it's in no way my intention to cast aspersions on the quality of the Minister's pies. I'm sure they're lovely.
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peridot
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Re: My first festival.
May 17, 2008, 22:22
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There's got to be money to be made by standing in the queue during quieter moments and, when you're approaching the front, shouting out behind to offer your place to the highest bidder.
Then you can head for the GM Cafe bar and spend your gains on beer and crisps :-)
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Fergal
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Re: My first festival.
May 18, 2008, 21:21
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Oh yea I forgot to say that the boys have no idea they are going.
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