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Original poster

Anyone going to the Isle of Wight festival??

36 replies

purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:22

Anyone going to the isle of wight festival, or have any tips?? I am going with a friend (we will be the ones in the flowery tent with the topiary and welcome mat at the front) and we have never gone before. We got the tickets as a mother's day present from the fellas, and we have been very excited ever since. We are total rookies as we have never gone to a festival before-any pointers??

OP posts:
littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 10:24

Nooooo, go away, away I tell you!

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:32

Does that mean you have plenty of useful tips and you are keeping them from me!!Lol Please!!

OP posts:
wheresthevalium · 22/05/2007 10:33

Do you mean Bestival?

Seriously considering abandoning my DDs to their father and going, it looks fab

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:36

What's a Bestival? A festival, only...better?

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zubb · 22/05/2007 10:38

get an early ferry over as it gets a bit chaotic on the Friday as everyone tries to get there to see the bands - there was a problem with the ferries last year as well so it was horrendous at Southampton. Last year we left on the Sunday after the bands had finished - booked a late ferry and that worked well, but if you don't need to get back till the Monday it's even better.
We stayed off site last time, and the way they do the buses was great - very well organised.
The camping was really packed last year so you need to get there as early as you can to get a good pitch - and expect to be very close to your neighbours!
It is quite a small festival so easy to get around / find everything. If it is hot there is no shade at all on the site so remember a hat!

littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 10:38

purpleduck, no, I live within sight of the IoW hovercraft terminal here in Portsmouth... hate all you filthy hippies cluttering up the streets...

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:40

OH!!! Just googled Bestival!!lol No, I'm going to the one in June. That Bestival thingy looks good too though -do it!!

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IdrisTheDragon · 22/05/2007 10:40

I'm going and I am very excited . Never been to a festival before but am going with my (little) sister and her DF who are rather more experienced .

IdrisTheDragon · 22/05/2007 10:41

We're going on Thursday to set up camp early .

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:43

Littlelapin, did you not see the bit about the flowery tent and the topiary? and the welcome mat? So does that mean using your shower is out of the question?

OP posts:
zubb · 22/05/2007 10:43

good plan Idris - it really was totally packed in last year - the late arrivals were camping in teh car park and had a long walk in and out of the site. There are food stalls in the camping area so you can grab stuff in teh morning without going into the main arena.

IdrisTheDragon · 22/05/2007 10:44

And leaving on Monday

IdrisTheDragon · 22/05/2007 10:46

What do I need to get? Tent is being sorted by DSis and DF. They have suggested waterproof clothing (they were at Glastonbury when it was very wet) and wellies and a chair that folds up (spot the novice camper here).

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:46

Zubb, we are going on Thursday, and coming back monday - What are the facilities like??
Idris - We are also very excited, but both my friend and I are newbies at this whole festival thingy. We are very worried about toilets etc, and food. Are you tenting?

OP posts:
IdrisTheDragon · 22/05/2007 10:48

We are (DSis and DF are talking about getting a tent with two pods and a sort of corridor between them).

Need a sleeping bag don't I?

littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 10:48
Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:50

Idris, who are you looking forward to seeing? I too am dreaming happily about no children for 4 days. Oh, and I have a little fantasy about making friends and bringing them back to our tent for some Pimms Hee Hee!!!

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zubb · 22/05/2007 10:51

all good suggestions! Take the minimum amount of stuff really and a good sleeping bag. Wellies and waterproofs, and sun hats and suncream as you can never tell! One Glastonbury I needed both!
There is a 'supermarket' (think it was M&S) on site but I'm not sure of the cost of stuff, so take loo roll / some food & drink with you. There are loads of food and drink stalls - expensive as usual - but you don't need to bother with cooking equipment if you don't want to.

littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 10:52

Are you going over from Pompey or Southampton?

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:53

LOLOLOL!! Littlelapin Yum!! I promise we will all tiptoe whilst in Portsmouth.. you won't even know we are there!!
Idris - Millets did a sleepover kit thingy awhile back- had a sleeping bag, pump, and an inflatable mattress. The pump was a bit crap though.

OP posts:
zubb · 22/05/2007 10:54

purpleduck - the toilets were OK in the main areas - I didn't sample the ones in the camping bits! But it is a festival so be prepared to queue for washing facilities / loos! Take wet wipes!
The food was fine - lots of choice, from thai to burgers to cookies to mexican etc

littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 10:58

PD, are you coming down by train or car?

Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 10:59

mmmmm Mexican {{lip licking emotion}}} Not sure my tent mate will appreciate the fallout though. She has already banned me from eating hummus due to the dreaded "hummus-bum" phenomenon!!

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Original poster
purpleduck · 22/05/2007 11:01

littlelapin, we are coming down by car- well our dear menfolk are bringing us down, then we are on the ferry. You know, I don't even know which ferry we are on! Does that mean you are considering letting us use your shower- we will probably be a bit whiffy after 4 days...

OP posts:
littlelapinWearsBoden · 22/05/2007 11:03

LOL, NO!

I was going to offer you a 4 day parking permit for our zone (just off the Common). Also advice on local supermarkets, should you need it.