Reading Festival 2023 ... hints and tips.

Yes, silent disco a definite after-party hit. My DD is appreciating the Refresh Retreat package I bought for her. Access to decent toilets and a locker in which she can charge her phone or power bank. Don’t think she’s used the showers!!

I feel really stupid worrying because DD is going with DH but she’s only 13 and this is her first time going to anything like this - and his too - and it’s a long drive away as well. They’re only going for tomorrow and they’re staying in a hotel tonight but I’m a bag of nerves 🙈 I feel so stupid being so worried because it’s not like she’s on her own and they’re not staying but I just feel really uneasy and I won’t relax until they’re at least out of there tomorrow night - and won’t relax properly until they’re home safely. I suffer from really bad anxiety and I do worry about them travelling that distance.

Is she going for Billie Eilish @Glitterblue ? She'll be absolutely fine with DH, they won't be camping so no danger of the campsite mayhem for them.

DD enjoyed Sam Fender last night but tonight is the biggie for her - her all time favourites The Killers. She's already working herself into a frenzy of excitement .

@ZittiEBuoni she is. She’s obsessed with Billie Eilish! Thank you so much, you’ve put my mind at ease a lot. Sounds like your DD is having a brilliant time! Hope she enjoys herself tonight 😊

Been following this thread in the run up as I'm here with DD14, camping for the weekend (white), it's very calm here so we are not really getting the same experience of your older teens but your tips and chat have been very helpful, so thank you. We are really here for Billie so pacing ourselves for the final day (we'll be driving home Sunday night). Security is very evident and there there are plenty of places to go for help and support but it is basically wall to wall 16-year-olds going mental The refresh retreat showers are brilliant but the location is right near the arena and because you can't take a bag or liquids in getting a shower requires a separate trip and lots of extra walking! Food stalls are very good quality and I haven't found overly expensive. The coop on site is awesome - they have a live DJ! So easy to get something cheap to eat too. Phone signal seems good actually. Hope your DCs are having an amazing time!

@sm40 yeah the silent disco is usually a hit. Otherwise there’s not really anything else to do from 11.30pm.

DD loved Bicep and Foals yesterday. She enjoyed Sam Fender but she’s seen him about 6 times already. She’s deffo looking forward to The Killers later.

My DD and her friend, a boy, both got needle spiked and both felt dizzy, weak, sore arm and back. Luckily they were with friends who took them to the medical tent. They're fine and back to festival vibes. Scary though.

@HappiDaze that's so scary - I’m glad they’re both ok! That’s the kind of thing I’ve been worrying about even though DD is with DH plus her friend, friend’s mum and friend’s auntie.

@lastchancesalmon that’s exactly what DH and DD are doing too, there just for today for Billie and driving home after, they won’t get back until probably 8-9am but DH preferred to drive at night when it’s quieter and he’s promised he will stop the minute he feels tired. Do you have a long drive?

@HappiDaze that's really scary 😟 glad they are ok.
@Glitterblue probably only an hour and a half at that time of night but not sure how long it'll take to get out of the campsite!

It's much busier in the arena today, but lots of packing up going on the camping areas too.

My DD and her friends have asked to be collected about 12.30/1am tonight! They are leaving their tent and rucksacks in friends’ tents and will then retrieve them after Billie Eilish finishes and then get shuttle bus to the station where I will hopefully meet them in the car… I think it will be a nightmare with so many people heading home at same time but probably no better tomorrow morning. I think lots of her friends have decided not to stay the Sunday night in case it goes a bit crazy again like last year.

I really wish that DD would come home before tomorrow morning. I’d be prepared to go and get her in the early hours. She has to work tomorrow 5.30 to 9.30 (couldn’t get the time off) so I want her to get as much sleep as possible beforehand. Thankfully we are only 40 mins away and I’m thinking if went around 3/4am the streets would be quiet.

DD 16 is ready to come home and although she enjoyed it she's very at the high cost of everything and isn't sure she'd go again.

Just back from collecting. It was very very busy but relatively easy to meet in the TGI Friday carpark

Also back from collecting my DD and friends. They took much longer to come out than hoped but pick up fine from station car park. Really busy getting there though and for them coming out. I chatted to a couple of police while waiting for them and they said significantly more people leaving tonight than usual. Expect any pick ups Monday morning will be very easy because so many have already left. My DD and friends had a great time!

What's the TGI car park ?!!? And where is it

Oh the restaurant

Hope this is the case and it’s not mayhem today. Although I’m sure it will still be carnage! Can’t wait to see my little smelly darling.

@HappiDaze
There is a mini retail park about 15 mins walk from the entrance on Richfield Ave.
It has TGI Fridays, Aldi, Home Range etc.
Very easy to get in and out.

DD is home. They were picked up for 8am. She hasn’t been to sleep all night and is still drunk. Lost her voice. 🤪😬 Have put her straight to bed.

Hope everyone has DC’s back safe and sound and if you’re doing the pick-up hope it goes smoothly!

@sm40 do it all again next year. 😂
DD says she’s done with Reading now. Apparently next year it will be either Boomtown or Creamfields. I think they’re both really druggy so I’m looking forward to that! Who’d be a parent, eh? 🤪🤦‍♀️🫣

@Rollergirl11 - there's always Dowload festival in Castle Donington too. My DS went this year for the first time and had a great time.

DD and her friends are home. Really easy drive there and back not much traffic or queues anywhere this morning.

I collected from the free designated pick up spot Hills Meadow.

The trains are a packed nightmare apparently

And last night people who didn't have train tickets already were being charged £60 instead of £20. CF