| Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading, Secret Garden | | | | have that element of surprise and excitement |
| Party, Glade, Bestival, Latitude, Download, T in the | | | | that doesn't exist so much with the digital |
| Park, the list of festivals and outdoor music | | | | alternative. |
| events in the summer is as long as your arm. | | | | Tent! Obvious I know but there are a few points |
| Thousands of people gather in fields around the | | | | to consider regarding your home for 3 days. |
| country, brought together by their unifying love | | | | 1. Pitch your tent at the top of a hill if you can. If |
| of live music. It's very special. You watch artists | | | | (well, when) it rains, you don't want to be sliding |
| that you idolise with hundreds of thousands of | | | | down the hill or even worse, at the bottom with |
| other people, all feeling the same exhilaration and | | | | your tent totally soaked. If you have to pitch on |
| euphoria, singing and dancing along to legendary | | | | a hillside, have your door facing downwards so |
| tracks and the anthems to your lives. | | | | that the muddy water can't come through it. Oh |
| The camp site is buzzing through the night with | | | | and another obvious point but one worth |
| new friendships and experiences, drinking and | | | | remembering; don't camp near the toilets!! I think |
| dancing in the dark, immersing your self in the | | | | you can figure out why. |
| vibrant atmosphere. It's the best time of the year | | | | 2. A two man tent is just that. It fits two people, |
| and you'll be talking about it till the next one, | | | | think about where you are going to put all your |
| wearing your wrist band like a medal until it snaps | | | | bags and valuables, if you can deal with a tight |
| 6 months later. | | | | squeeze then do it, if you can't then your sleep is |
| Well, it can be that good, or it can be a nightmare | | | | going to be very uncomfortable. |
| if you don't prepare yourself properly for the | | | | 3. Padlock. Unfortunately if you give a thief an |
| hazardous conditions you potentially face. Here is | | | | opportunity then they will take it. Lock your tent |
| the essential check list to ensure your survival and | | | | whilst you're away from it and it would be wise |
| maximization of good times at whichever festival | | | | to lock it at night too, to save yourself having |
| you are going too this summer. | | | | random drunk people mistaking your tent for |
| Money. You will need to take quite a lot of cash | | | | theirs and climbing into bed with you. |
| with you unless you don't mind queuing for three | | | | 4. Take gaffa tape to deal with holes in your tent, |
| hours in the five mile line for the only cash | | | | again this is a rain safety point. We live in England, |
| machine on the entire site. Unless you have | | | | it's probably going to thunder down at some point! |
| brought enough food and drinks with you, you're | | | | 5. Make your tent obvious so that you can find it. |
| going to have to shell out quite a lot on them as | | | | Write on the side of it or put up a flag that no |
| food is always expensive at music festivals. You'll | | | | one else will have. |
| need to keep the money on you and well | | | | It might be sunny. There is always the slight |
| concealed, pick pockets go to festivals too. | | | | possibility of freak good weather. Most of us are |
| You're more than likely going to be drinking over | | | | not use to this event so a few things you will |
| the festival weekend. It can be very expensive | | | | need to familiarise yourself with are; sunglasses, a |
| to buy your drinks at the event so it's best to | | | | hat, sunscreen and drink lots of water. |
| bring some with you. Most, if not all, festivals will | | | | You will find a heavy appreciation for wet wipes. |
| not allow glass bottles to brought inside so bring | | | | They will save you. You won't have a sink nearby |
| boxes of wine and cans of beer, plastic bottles of | | | | to wash your face and hands most of the time |
| water and soft drinks and if you're bringing spirits | | | | and the wet wipe will become your best friend. |
| decanter them into a plastic container first. At the | | | | Take dry shampoo with you. You can buy cans |
| Carling festivals, if you help clean up you are | | | | of batiste which you spray on to your greasy |
| rewarded with cans of carling for handing in bin | | | | unwashed festival hair and then brush it out to |
| bags of rubbish from the campsite, this is great | | | | have lovely clean hair again. It's a God send. |
| because it helps keep the area clean and your | | | | Throat Lozenges will ease the pain after a night |
| save a bit of cash. | | | | of chain smoking. Pain killers for your hang over |
| I hate to sound like a bore here but try to be | | | | are essential and Imodium in case you get some |
| responsible with how much you drink, it will be | | | | tummy trouble after a dodgy barbecue. |
| awful if you get drunk and lose your friends and | | | | Finally, don't forget a torch, condoms (you might |
| can't find your tent, you become vulnerable when | | | | meet the love of your life, or you could just get |
| you're intoxicated too so be aware. Drink plenty | | | | beer goggles) camping chair and toilet paper. Take |
| of water, sleeping in tents in the heat when | | | | a radio with you, Bestival and Glastonbury and |
| you've been drinking booze can make you feel | | | | probably more festivals have their own radio |
| very ill and dehydrated. Take plenty of bottled | | | | shows so you can keep updated with what's |
| water with you. | | | | going on, it's good to have a listen in the morning |
| Take a disposable camera. Dropping your lovely | | | | to help plan your itinerary for the day. Radio or a |
| digital camera in the mud at Glastonbury would be | | | | guitar is also good for the campsite at night to |
| upsetting, not only would you lose your camera | | | | keep the musical atmosphere alive. |
| but the treasured pictures too. Losing a disposable | | | | Whichever festivals you go to, you're bound to |
| camera would not be quite the same | | | | have an amazing time. I hope this survival guide |
| disappointment, and if you manage to look after it | | | | has helped save you from the potential blunders. |
| and get it home, when you get it developed you | | | | Good Luck! |