Vamagus

Yes the same composting toilets were in Glamping. With the added issue of approx. 50% more tents and 25% fewer toilets than last year. They were just as grim there (however the 4 in the corner were under a light so at least you could see what you were dealing with in there). I’m all for composting toilets but these were badly designed and badly implemented plus they were usually filthy. EOTR has moved down from “automatically buy earlybirds” to “wait for the line up then think hard before going”.

Mrs V would like to add that because the long drops are pitch black due to no light, she’s having to deal with the aftermath of men pissing in the dark. Not a happy bunny. We’ve overheard a number of women making similar complaints. Reckon it’ll be grim by the end of the weekend.

Two highlights immediately spring out - Personal Trainer & Panic Shack

Basically anyone who couldn’t get on at 10am (I.e. workers) doesn’t get to go (yes I know there’s Twickets) I miss being able to see the initial lineup before booking - least we’ve got EOTR tickets.

I’ll come and listen to anyone if they get Andyloos back (ok maybe not Ed Sheeran or Mumford & Sons) 😂

Fantastic weekend with great music (as always) with only one real negative - yes it’s the toilets. Thursday was a total disaster on the toilet front - actually spoke to one of the toilet guys on Friday and apparently they thought “it’s only a half day and not everyone would be there so there were only 2 people on site who knew how to maintain the vacuum toilets” . He seemed nonplussed when I pointed out most people arrive on Thursday and half the site was closed so the number of available toilets was reduced. Our experience of boutique toilets was poor - 3 toilet blocks (so 12 female and 12 male cubicles) and one urinal block for the whole of boutique - not enough to start with but then add in the one block appeared to be out of use for most of the weekend and then they’d close one for cleaning at peak times (8am - 9am) and it wasn’t great. My wife wasn’t best pleased to have paid boutique prices and having to use overflowing, non flushing toilets. Bring back Andyloos!

Us neither - it was a bit damp that’s all

In 2017, when it chucked it down most of Sunday, the car park was fine apart from a bit of mud around the gate which they’d put straw down on. However we left relatively early so it may have got worse later.

Re: boutique and red gate. Last year was the first year they put boutique through red gate - its complicated by the fact last year boutique was in a different place and now it’s back in its original position. Based on last year red gate will have its own wristbanding so shouldn’t be any need to go near orange gate. As for boutique - just head towards it and they’ll check you details at the entrance, wristband you again (I.e. 2nd wristband) then take you to your tent. Hope this helps

Sunday 2017 was fine - a bit damp that’s all. 😁 The Jesus and Mary Chain were suitably apocalyptic in the rain…… That being said I’d rather have dry weather this year……still it’ll be f’ing freezing over night regardless.

Friday is a total clash nightmare for us, Saturday is a little weak and Sunday is good with a couple of clashes. Not looking forward to the Friday horse trading with Mrs V

Yes you can walk offsite at GM You can get along the Usk into Crickhowell quite easily. Haven’t done it but I reckon you could get up to Tretower too. People who’ve stayed at Settlers would have a better idea as I know a bunch of them have gone off walking in the hills

Been to EOTR and Bluedot…. Bluedot - great site under the telescope - music is more down “dance” end - we had worse rain than GM and the site muddied up fast - food choices seemed more limited than EOTR though they did have pasties - science talks were fascinating - toilets were pretty bad - we didn’t find it the friendliest crowd & and felt out of place as Southerners (which was weird as Kendal Calling was the opposite)

We love GM but EOTR just edges it. The reasons: - EOTR (for us) always knocks it out of the park with the lineup. GM when it’s good is excellent but sometimes for us is a little weaker - EOTR is about half the size and it’s easier to get away from people if you need to - GM has a lot more kids which isn’t a problem until you dodge the Diablo flying past your head for the 15th time 😁 - when it rains at GM does it rain! - EOTR has more to do in the mornings - we’re burn candles at both ends people and love the literature talk before the music starts. - EOTR big top - most years I prefer the “middle of the night sweaty feel” of the big tool ( even if it’s midday) - EOTR is about 2 hours drive each way nearer. However GM has a built in beer festival and I would say it’s by far the friendliest crowd.

We decides to skip the Big Top this year - too much like COVID soup in there for us. sadly missed some bands we wanted to see but right decision.