MN lone parent camping trip/ festival weekend- anyone interested?

[SuperBunny]

I want to take DS to a festival but I've never been to one and imagine it would be much better for both of us if we went with other people. None of my friends with children go to festivals so I was wondering if there are any other MNers in the same boat?

I think we have to go with the campervans. It is not very clear on the website so I'll give them a call beforehand.

I will certainly look out for you van. It sounds alot cooler than our caravan

Its bad really that I have to pay an extra £40 for a campervan. It doesn't take up any more room than a med size tent and overall I'll take up less space than someone with a car and a tent. Flipping rip off, I know all the festivals charge more though.

At Blissfields it was £5 for cars and £30 for campervans, at least there wasn't another camping permit on top though.

Right I've booked Wychwood.

Had a sureal conversation with the bloke on the phone (sounds like he runs the festival). He asked me where I'd heard of Wychwood and I said Mumsnet.

Then I thought he said "oh, that'll be Justine". I thought he meant Justine Mumsnet and said something about "oh, has she been".

"No", he replied, "but Justine Fletcher's all over Mumsnet".

It was only after I realised he must have said Justin, aka Mr Tumble.

As if coming to see Mr Tumble would be the deciding factor in me spend £170. Though he is on the main stage which I'm a bit suprised by.

lol @ Gothdetective. We know you're only going to see Mr Tumble.

I will book in the next couple of weeks... it won't sell out, will it?

Book it now, the bloke said the money wouldn't be taken out my bank a/c for 2 weeks.

Though I doubt it will sell out in the next 2 weeks.

I feel I've lost all my street cred my mentioning Mumsnet and now being associated with wanting to see Mr Tumble.

Why didn't I say the efestival forum which is probably where I did first hear of Wychwood, then I'd have been cool and hip!

Not that it matters what some man I'm never going to meet thinks. It was just one of those conversations where I cringed afterwards.

But how did the man know that Justin is all over mumsnet? I wonder if he lurks here.

And don't worry, we all think you are hip and cool, Mr Tumble or not

OOh Wychwood looks doable! It's at the end of half term here which means we could come for all of Friday. Would have to leave on Sunday pm though.

I want to know the line up!

As if I'm going to see who I want when I want when dictated to by the whims of DS, mind you

I didn't know Justin was all over Mumsnet, is he? Maybe he's Betadad?

I got the dates wrong and thought it was the last weekend of half term (end of May).

I've realised its the following weekend so DD will have to miss school on Friday. Will also have to leave Sunday evening but guess it could be 7:00pm time before we need to leave. Means no alcohol on Sunday which is a shame.

Yay FK. Our DC are not too dissimilar in age, are they? Perhaps they could entertain each other...

Wychwood IS the last week of our half term but like Goth, that'll mean leaving early on Sunday. I'd need to leave around 4, I suppose but if I get the tent down in the morning before music starts, that should be ok. Hopefully.

I don't care what the line up is, I'm just excited

I've seen little mention of Justin on here btw. Perhaps I am on the wrong threads.

Message withdrawn

I agree with you about the extra for campervans GothDetective (grrrr). I've had Mexican standoffs for daring to try to sleep at the Big Green Gathering in an Escort van...

Top tip for toddlers at a festival: take a wheelbarrow!Line with soft stuff, and you can trundle a sleeping child around with you all evening...

lol youluka

I do not have room for a child, camping stuff AND a wheel barrow. Is a fab idea though.

Camp Bestival is fab for kids.

stubbornstains - would a buggy not suffice?

I want to come to with dd (5) looks like Wychwood is the place to be. I'm sure I went to some kind of illegal midnight in the woods rave there a few years ago

Going to check dates and see if we can make it.

No buggies tend not to work in muddy fields, little wheels get stuck. Wheelbarrows or those pull along carts are much better.

Hando One of the advantages of Wychwood is that the actual festival area is where the racecourse hospitality tents etc are put up so it has concrete paths and is well drained. It does not tend to get too muddy. Plenty of buggies there. Also cos you can drive onto the campsite you do not have to lug your camping equipment for miles (unless it is really really wet the week before).

LOL at Goth and Mr Tumble. The guys who run Wychwood have always seemed really reasonable. I think they have a young family themselves. i forgot my tickets last year and had to buy more at the gate. Not only did they refund me but they gave me back the full price so I still got the advantage of the early bird rate.

I'm also in Bristol, and I'd be well up for doing something this year with the baby.

Glastonbury is massive, and expensive. Lots of traipsing about trying to meet back up because one of you went for noodles - boring! Womad is very kid-friendly, I've been a few times with families of small kids (also, loads of decent stuff for grown-ups)

There's millions of festivals in the South West, though. The smaller ones are often better, 'cause they're cheaper, can be much more family friendly, and can be much nicer.

My folks live in Somerset and are very plugged into the circuit (they aren't old hippies themselves, they just know a lot!) and I had the baby there, so I met a couple of festival-going mums who would know.

I'll make some suggestions nearer the time. Greenfields was apparently a very kid-friendly one...

What a good idea.
Womad sounds good!
I know, from friends, they'll be no problem being a lone parent there.
Sign me up

Thanks for suggesting it SB, whata great idea!
I would LOVE to go to Womad with you all & my lovely DS (2 now, almost 3 by the summer)!
How will we all keep in touch to try & organise? ANd does anyone know where you can get mini ear defenders?
MamaTama
xxx

fab ones here MamaTama

What a great idea, I've been wanting to go to a festival for years, but have never really had the chance for various reasons, so would love to meet. < cringe in case that sounded too needy!>

Thanks 4 the link MeSoBitchy, they look perfect!
DS (2), a real "music man" wants to hit Carnival in the summer 2 so they'll definitely get worn.
Ru up 4 Womad2?

I've heard Shambala is really good for families