Happy campers!
It's still festival season, so Catriona Watson, Oxford-based professional organiser and owner of Clear Space for Me has consulted some experienced festival-goers and shares their tips here.It's no surprise that the happiest campers are often organised, good planners, skilled at packing lots of stuff into small spaces. From Green Man and Reading, to Glastonbury and even Burning Man, here are some tips for an organised and happy festival experience!
Wheels
Bring cat litter and planks to get out of a muddy patch. Lights can decorate your bike or car (as well as your body and your tent).
Food
We enjoyed buying food out and only bothered to pack snacks. Personally though I need my cuppa first thing in the morning, so I'm packing coffee-making arrangements even though this will significantly add to my carrying weight. Bringing snacks will help you stick to your budget. But be kind to yourself - you are on holiday!
Money
This leads us to cash. Make sure you have enough money to buy food and drink, and maybe some interesting festie shopping items. It's easy to spend £40-£50 a day, so budget accordingly.Drink
Be prepared! Bumps and bruises under the influence of a delicious cider will make plasters and Savlon most welcome. A plastic lid and straw for the top of your pint glass will help keep the wasps and spills under control. A cup is a must anyway. Restrictions on what can be brought onto festival sites, especially in terms of drinks, have led to some fascinating smuggling strategies! (I will limit myself to the observation that it helps if you are a naturally curvy woman!).
Self-care
Consider indigestion tablets, a plan for how you will pee at night, tissues for clean-ups of all sorts, and some idea of how delicious you are to midges - and prepare accordingly. Also, if you are offered a VIP pass to a nice loo, take it.
Bedding
A foil blanket on the ground beneath your sleeping area is surprisingly helpful, keeping out damp and chill. And it sound obvious, but make sure you have a big enough tent for your body and all of your stuff.Silly ideas!
'œA feather headdress and sequins, and a credit card'