Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Camp Bestival 2011.

468 replies

QueeferSutherland · 25/04/2011 21:56

Has anyone been?
Going?
Is there a festival thread somewhere?

DH booked tickets today. I haven't been to a festival in an age, and DH has only been camping once. We are taking the 3 DC who will be 1, 3, & 9.

Any tips/reassurance?

OP posts:
winefairy · 16/07/2011 09:12

I'm going to enjoy spotting all the bell tents!

I'll be walking past thinking...."bet that's a MNetter, bet that's a MNetter!"

DontCallMeBaby · 16/07/2011 19:32

We will be a small enclave consisting of a belltent and an unfeasibly optimistic '6-man' nylon tent in red and charcoal grey, flying the flag of Gloucestershire. I may be doing what MmeG describes as "that weird middle class thing of staring furiously into the distance with their hands on their hips". Or I may be drinking wine from the bag. Do say hello if I'm not looking too mad. :o

Bellethebelltent · 16/07/2011 21:18

We'll be there with belle, stacks of bunting, a flabby new windbreak that I made this week(prays it works) and a pissed off looking dh after he's made 20 trips to the car for all our stuff, Inc chandelier, air beds, rugs etc etc and a small windmill too. Plus three kids!

Also coming from Gloucestershire so will be looking out for your flag^^

Original poster
QueeferSutherland · 16/07/2011 21:57

I was going to get a Hampshire Flag! (But it is rubbish.) May get a smiley or Hampshire Hog flag.

OP posts:
sfxmum · 16/07/2011 22:59

Ours is a modest 5 person tent Grin advantage easy to carry. We really must meet up for tea on one of the days at least I dare you

winefairy · 17/07/2011 08:44

I think they'll be quite a few pissed off looking husbands standing next to bell tents! It's quite tricky to rein in one's artistic tendencies when furnishing them!! Hmm

I'm trying to work out if I can smuggle my new Moroccan pouffe into the car. I fear that may be just asking for trouble though!! I can almost hear the pouffe tirade when it's discovered. Grin

Is anyone in Camping Plus?

topiarygal · 17/07/2011 10:07

Argh - not getting better - am I bonkers to consider sending DH with kids on his own? Would you? What would your 3 rules be for him? I can't imagine anymore would work???
AND - please have fun for meeeeee!

chimchar · 17/07/2011 11:01

another bell tenter going!

am not dressing up...i always feel like such a twat. kids are...a predictable knight and a bridesmaid hand me down dress princess. ds 1 is refusing to dress up.

am really worried about the rain....am such a fairweather camper!

its my first festival and i'm excited, but have NOOOO idea what i'm expecting! dh is an old skool glastonbury wall jumper, but has never been without being on acid or having an oz of weed in his pocket, so in effect, its his first time too. Wink

what do i need? have got wet wipes, and am planning on a huge cooked breakkie each day to save on buying every single meal.

are the majority of kids things free or are they at extra cost?

so many questions! have been on the forums, and have lots of info from there, but any special mn tips?

sfxmum · 17/07/2011 11:10

chimchar there are free things for the children but quite a lot are extra cost like the merry go round, helter skelter. but the playground in the woods is free and fun, the dressing up tent and assorted workshops were free too.

there is plenty to do, and definitely not Glastonbury Grin if your dh recalls the old days, this is all very gentrified and toddler friendly.

as for tips I would take drinks for the children, the cost of such things really add up, it is easy to move about the place and the stages are all easily accessible.
will post more if I can remember anything remotely useful

chimchar · 17/07/2011 11:32

fab! thanks. will stay away from pay extra things as far as poss then! Grin

may give the kids a set amount of money for the weekend, and once its gone, its gone.

will deffo take drinks. my kids are a nightmare for drinks.

am just really hoping for some sun....had better buy some wellies for just in case though eh?

sfxmum · 17/07/2011 11:38

there was rain last year but the ground did not go over muddy, still I take wellies along with flip flops. I always carry a backpack with something warm and something waterproof, but make sure it is light, makes good cushion for a rest on the field

DontCallMeBaby · 17/07/2011 20:48

Today, I have bought wipes, cereal, and biscuits. DH said 'if it all goes wrong, you can always sit in the tent and eat biscuits'. I think he's onto something there.

Found this via the CB forums - I love it! It's a crib list of all the performers, with the author's notes, and colour coding as to who he wants to see. Obviously it's all to his taste, but still quite useful for seeing what bands might be like.

fivegomadindorset · 17/07/2011 20:50

I am goig to walk around the site tomorrow with dog, will keep you updated about what is arriving. Lorries aren't going past my house this year, neither are you lot thank God so I can get out.

sfxmum · 17/07/2011 20:57

scanning the crib sheet I might take notes seeing that I broadly agree with him, love his description of Lau & Ed Sheeran, spot on, definitely in my Do Not miss list from the start

DontCallMeBaby · 17/07/2011 21:39

They are ace descriptions, aren't they? I was intrigued by "If you want to know what Bletchley Park was listening to" (Siren Sisters).

I have just realised the author is a she, not a he (Lou = male name in my brain apparently).

vbus · 18/07/2011 13:54

Ta for crib sheet Smile Didn't realise Wonder stuff were playing

thatgirlsevil · 18/07/2011 14:56

sfxmum "just to note I had a look at the website and they say they do not allow admission to the campsite after midnight on any night, for those travelling late"

Thanks for the heads up!!

sfxmum · 18/07/2011 22:09

10 daysGrin

heard the bloke from the Wonderstuff on 6music last week, he hasn't changed, but it was very confusing as he was talking to Radcliffe and the other bloke and it got hard to work out who was speaking when, maybe it is just me

Time to start vibing for good weather

fivegomadindorset · 19/07/2011 11:10

Signs are going up at the moment. Weather is warm but cloudy, two long range weather reports giving totally different forcasts.

chimchar · 19/07/2011 17:56

cool. we'll go with the best one then five!!!

Stase · 19/07/2011 20:49

Just found this thread! Metcheck says it'll be dry until the Sunday night, but always seems to be the most optimistic of the weather sites. Haven't started packing yet, but just three more days of work to get through, then the kids are in Nursery next Wednesday and I can start feathering the van, packing it full of treats and necessities!

We're taking DS4.5, DS2.5, both of whom have been before, and bump of 32 weeks gestation, who I hope isn't going to give me any grief with all the sitting on the grass I plan on doing! Thinking of taking a Radio Flyer for transporting kids and stuff round the site, especially good for late at night when they're getting sleepy but the headliners are yet to come on.

Can't wait! Grin

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 20/07/2011 17:22

Blimey, have got a (much smaller) festival to go to this weekend as a trial run! Magic Numbers, Show of Hands and someone else ~I can't remember headlining at Chagstock on Dartmoor.

MarionCole · 20/07/2011 18:47

Just checking in. Have been away from MN for about a month and have decided this is the only place I'm coming back to.

Have today made DS's medieval knight helmet and tabard.

Need to order DH's princess wig from ebay and my pink bob wig to cover manky hair.

fivegomadindorset · 21/07/2011 08:18

Not sos much Camp Bestival as Camp Chaos.

MarionCole · 21/07/2011 12:31

Chainmail suit now made