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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pissed off about this Festival (there's a really rubbish diagram).

34 replies

RantyMare · 17/07/2018 21:25

And I realise nothing can be done about it at all , this is purely a rant.

I go to a four day festival every year. An increasingly popular one. Being a bit old now, one thing I loved about this festival is the lack of lugging stuff about. I'm not weak or unfit but I have back problems and when I'm meant to be enjoying myself I'd rather not be risking doing my back in more than it already is.

Anyway festival customers used to be able to drive down to near the car park, where is marked old drop off point, drop their tent/belongings/other necessary crap off with their passenger/s, drive back to the car park and then walk back to the drop off point, sans heavy stuff.

Now, for some unknown reason, they've changed this and we're expected to lug everything from the car park. Why I dont know. The organisers are reluctant to give a proper answer other than 'it makes more sense' and 'increasing numbers' . It's a festival renowned for its friendliness and lack of troublesome attendees.

This began last year and I struggled, and I had forgotten about it until now with the date of the festival approaching. Last year on the morning of leaving, a lot of travellers who were working there very kindly hung about after the festival to offer to carry our things back to our cars, for a small fee. I almost bit their hands off and paid far more than they asked for!

Also, I think because of complaints, the organisers have now announced that shuttlebuses are available for anybody who is disabled and unable to walk the 900 metres from the car park.

I am glad they have put this up for disabled people, however I am not disabled, but I am just 5'3, have a back condition and see this as pointless! I also cannot possibly carry all the stuff I need at once, and I travel as light as possible, due to only having two arms. (Tent/Clothes/Food/Beers)..

Last year also, some people with a wick of sense drove to near the festival entrance (about 50 yards from old drop off point) and dropped their stuff off there. Not much anyone could do about it-but I am scared if I did that I might have my ticket revoked!... No it is looking more tempting if I am honest!

OP posts:
Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 21:26

Oops here's my rubbish diagram.

To be pissed off about this Festival (there's a really rubbish diagram).
OP posts:
Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 21:26

Sorry, the writig to the left says 'old drop off point'. Which we now don't have!

OP posts:
CrispbuttyNo1 · 17/07/2018 21:29

Invest in a fishing barrow. (The type that anglers have). DP has one and it is fantastic when we go fishing as often the lake is a mile or so walk from the car park and we have tent, beds, fishing gear, cooler, etc etc to carry and these are designed for rough and muddy ground. Fold down when in the car, and can hold a lot of stuff.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 17/07/2018 21:29

Don't go to Download, dragging your stuff for miles then having to carry it over a moterway bridge will really upset you :p

LivingDeadGirlUK · 17/07/2018 21:31

@crispbutty i had this cunning plan for Download but then got to the bridge with steps!

Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 21:32

living it is one reason I WON'T EVER ! Go to download! And one reason I used to love this one!

crisp I may just have to -I am not sure what one is BUT my Father is a hardcore angler-will he have one?

OP posts:
ToPlanZ · 17/07/2018 21:35

Hi OP, I sympathise with being 5 foot 3 with back trouble, I can relate. Even though I'm not a festival goer I've been through with dilemma with my son. He has used a plastic sledge, a wheeled crate with a telescopic handle and a very old fashioned luggage trolley with varying degrees of success. I notice ALDI are doing a festival luggage trolley for a tenner online. It won't make the organisers less annoying but it might save your back! BTW diagram wasn't rubbish at all.

WipsGlitter · 17/07/2018 21:38

Use a wagon or trailer with wheels. Use the bus - you won't be the only one.

CrispbuttyNo1 · 17/07/2018 21:42

Most anglers will have them. It seems to be an important part of the kit so I’m told! Grin

CrispbuttyNo1 · 17/07/2018 21:44

This is the one DP has.

To be pissed off about this Festival (there's a really rubbish diagram).
GerdaLovesLili · 17/07/2018 21:51

Is it the Larmer Tree? I have wonderful memories of a friend's wedding there. Marvelous place but I wouldn't want to be yomping about it with tonnes of kit.

Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 21:57

Do you think they'd let me use the bus given I am not disabled? Thanks Crisp that looks fab. And toplans that's my first ever diagram on here (woo!)

No it isn't but yes, festivals aren't easy to travel light to. It's the unpredictable weather and all that goes with that, doesnt' help!

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 17/07/2018 21:59

Yes I think if you said you had a bad back they would let you use the bus. I do but they're going to be demanding blue badges.

VioletCharlotte · 17/07/2018 22:00

It is annoying but it's pretty much the same at every festival. There's normally trolleys you can hire to wheel your stuff in, is that an option?

Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 22:00

Yeh I guess. I wouldn't ever put myself on a level with someone who is actually disabled but then, I have been told I need a back operation. No means of proving such though!

OP posts:
NotTheFordType · 17/07/2018 22:01

If you have an ongoing back problem then by legal definition you are disabled. (They did away with the whole "registered disabled" thing some years ago what with the echoes of Nazi Germany)

So if it makes things easier for you, get the bus and don't feel guilty!

I have chronic back pain due to breaking my coccyx twice. I don't "look" disabled and don't use mobility aids but yes I am disabled and cannot carry heavy loads or stand for long periods (e.g. in queues.) I don't qualify for a blue badge but that doesn't mean I don't need reasonable adjustments.

Ginorchoc · 17/07/2018 22:01

That’s half the fun, wheelbarrow, keg cart, fishing cart or shopping trolley will help.

Ginorchoc · 17/07/2018 22:02

Oh in that case, maybe not so much fun.

Mairyhinge · 17/07/2018 22:03

How will they know you're not disabled? I am but you wouldn't know to look at me! Just get on the bus and if anyone asks ( which they won't because they're not allowed to!) just say you have a hidden disability/ heart problem/ wooden leg....

Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 22:04

Please tell me more ford if you can be bothered to Grin.

I've had back pain since I was about 12 or 13 and the GP referred me to a chiropractor a few years ago, who says I have a twist in my spine in my neck which affects my upper back. At worst Its agony , some days it doesnt affect me and some days It's just moderately painful. I didnt know I could say It's a disability in situations like this though.

OP posts:
TheClitterati · 17/07/2018 22:05

At Wilderness last year you could hire a 4 wheel trolley in the car park. £5 well spent.

AwkwardPaws27 · 17/07/2018 22:07

Is it Bloodstock? I hate that fucking walk.

Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 22:11

Awkward Grin last year is first time I have ever done it and I am still scarred!

OP posts:
Original poster
RantyMare · 17/07/2018 22:12

MairyHinge !!!! 'Yeh I have a bone in my leg'....

OP posts:
TwoBlueShoes · 17/07/2018 22:17

I have a camping wagon. It’s very useful and folds up into the car.