Going again ?

[AnnaGrant]

Sorry that after deliberating so long about going you ended up not being able to enjoy the festival, and after this one was "stolen" from you, I think coming again in 2013, but looking at some different options in a good idea.

We're also thinking a campervan or some other off-site option for next time. I have never struggled so much as I did getting in on Wednesday. We arrived just after the rain and trying to drag our trolley as a dead weight with jammed wheels through the mud churned hell of gate D to ever dwindling camping spaces, and ending up next door to campervan west anyway, the advantages of camping felt ever less important!

In fact, when we were chatting to anyone around the site and they asked us where we were camped we found ourselves saying "You see the furthest field you can see, just past the ribbon tower on the right? Well we are 2 fields past that!" The camping stretches so much further than it ever did before. I used to love being in the middle of the action, but when you end up camped that far away, it is hard to see why you have struggled so hard to drag your stuff on site, when you could have just parked it 200 yards away!

I honestly have no problem with the "being in a tent" part of camping - in fact it is still something I love and will be sad to say goodbye to, but when the weather turns on you in the way it did on Wednesday, there comes a point where you say "I'm nearly 50 years old! I don't need this!"

Not meant to be a whinge, or a moan, or a criticism of the festival, just an admission that I'm not as young as I used to be I guess!

[Pev999]

If you can't hack it fair enough but don't blame your age! I was 60 on Tuesday and had a great time tenting it - including doing 3 shifts for Oxfam at widely scattered gates (2 starting at 5.45am and one at 9.45pm) and crossing the site diagonally twice just to sort out a mud free escape for my motorbike.

The mud this year was not bad at all - you should have seen it in '85.... blather blather blather...

6 days of top fun - I'll be back!

[doubledutch]

Age has nothing to do with it, it is physical ability, and that differs from person to person when you get older. I know I am fat and not fit; I took on a job last year which means that this past year I have travelled at least 10000 miles each month throughout the UK in my car and stayed in hotels so didn't eat properly and I never go to the gym anymore. I know it was bad, but nothing prepared me for the reality check I got this Glastonbury that at 55 I need to get my act together. So I am doing something about it now, I know my energy levels will return when eating proper healthy food all the time, and my painful knees will stop hurting when they don't have to carry the extra 3 stone anymore.

The camping itself was never a problem - I have a tent I can stand up in with a seperate bedroom, and it was no issue sleeping on a mat inside a sleeping bag. I only struggled with the carrying my stuff from the car to pitch and the standing for long periods - increased fitness levels will sort that. I too want to still be abl;e to go to Glasto in my 70ies!!!!!

[verrymerry]

Every year I think "maybe this will be my last?" and every year I'm hammering away at the computer on t-day. I will probably never stop going, and if I can't buy a ticket I'll work, beg or pole vault into the site

[geebus]

tinktink: First year CV'ing it for me.

I had planned to sleep more in a tent in Oxylers (where all my mates tents were and I had a tent myself).

However, for logistical issues I turned out sleeping in the camper every night.

I think I'd have liked it less if I didn't have a 'base' in the festival. Both for general chilling out, shelter etc as well as to keep beer and other useful sustenance.

Compared to camping near gate A, I suspect I'd much prefer to have been at front of the 'family' CV fields - not far outside gate C, so very close to a fair few bits of the festival.

However, one of the bonuses of my non-family feel was it was quiet in the morning. Along with the extra blackout blinds I'd installed, I was sleeping until 11pm or so, even on the very bright days. Which meant I had more energy/life left to stay up late repeatedly etc.

Next year I'll definitely consider paying for the CV field, but hopefully WILL sort it out so I can use my tent. Probably end up camping in Oxylers again (love being able to see the Other stage from my tent), with the vehicle in the west CV fields.

Oh and good to see some nice attitudes to it from the above posters .

[jimmyk83]

This was my last one and I defiantly wont be back

[denwyn]

That is such a shame that you had to cut your festival short.

I found it tough going too; at 55 my knees and ankles not up to walking through the heavy mud and and standing for long stretches. However, I must add I am at least 3 stone overweight and not very fit.

I cannot contemplate not going in 2013, have already investigated hiring a campervan - though the camping itself is not the issue, it is the carrying rucksack, tent etc from car to pitching place and back I find the real killer! My mission now is to lose the extra weight and get fit, as I want to continue to enjoy Glasto for years to come!

[denwyn]

Denwyn, you can't let this one bad year (for you) ruin everything.

I spent a day in 2005 puking into a carrier bag in my tent. I'm not prepared to blame a stallholder -- it could just as easily have been my own carelessness with hand washing. And I've had many joyous Glastonburies since then.

You needn't be uncomfortable in a tent. A decent camp bed works wonders.

I dunno how old you are -- I'm pushing 40 myself -- but it's always possible to just take it a bit easier.

The campervan options sounds good at first - but the long walk onto the site uses up valuable energy. Ditto the long walk from the car park if you drive in daily.

Edited June 30, 2011 by denwyn

[denwyn]

So sorry to hear you had to leave, but You can't wave goodbye with that! get a campervan or offsite (hell it's two years away and if it's going to be your last one save up and do that 'flyglastonbury' thing!) and go out win a blaze of glory

[denwyn]

I'm going to be crucified for this... but Winding Lake have regular buses to and from Gate C. Very welcome at the end of a long days walking. Next time I'll be 50 and I'm a HFS so I will be doing it again.

[Chocscoffer]

I will be back but I really like the idea of working it, in an ideal world doing wristbands or in the lockups. Any ideas on how I get my foot in the door with doing either of these?

[Station]

This was my 13th Glasto and by Sunday morning, after the 2 extremes of weather, I was also going down the "I don't think I can hack this anymore" train of thought. Then on Sunday at about mid-day I forced myself up to the greenfields as I hadn't yet done so yet this year. I had a general wander round and my faith in the festival was restored thanks to a short set by Mark Thomas followed by Michael Eavis in the spoken word tent. My spirits lifted and I severley mentaly chastised myself for ever thinking that i'd had enough of glasto. After that I think the The only major downside to my Glasto this year was getting severely pissed just before QOTSA and passing out before the end of the set (and I was really enjoying it too)

[*Stevie B*]

I said it during the festival, and I say it now... If people want to go again, then im more than happy to go again!

I considered my first year to be somewhat of a learning curve. Going back would make me feel more experienced and able to plan my days out better. Learn to relax more and not to overdo it in the first two days, and having to sleep through friday night

It was very enduring, but what with the weather being so fab on the Sunday, and the fact for the first time the whole weekend we managed to get our big group all together to watch Plan B - Pendulum - Beyonce, it really brought everything together.

So if the group wants to go again, Im in. Although personally I would prefer a smaller festival... but you just cannot beat the whole 'take your booze anywhere' freedom. It was so good taking a large selection of beers to the pyramid sunday night, and just having a good time drinking with all your mates.

[ukmountie]

Hmm Denwyn. Says I can't PM you. What's up with that?

[amfy]

If you can't hack it fair enough but don't blame your age! I was 60 on Tuesday and had a great time tenting it - including doing 3 shifts for Oxfam at widely scattered gates (2 starting at 5.45am and one at 9.45pm) and crossing the site diagonally twice just to sort out a mud free escape for my motorbike.

The mud this year was not bad at all - you should have seen it in '85.... blather blather blather...

6 days of top fun - I'll be back!

[James Bolivar]

Age has nothing to do with it, it is physical ability, and that differs from person to person when you get older. I know I am fat and not fit; I took on a job last year which means that this past year I have travelled at least 10000 miles each month throughout the UK in my car and stayed in hotels so didn't eat properly and I never go to the gym anymore. I know it was bad, but nothing prepared me for the reality check I got this Glastonbury that at 55 I need to get my act together. So I am doing something about it now, I know my energy levels will return when eating proper healthy food all the time, and my painful knees will stop hurting when they don't have to carry the extra 3 stone anymore.

The camping itself was never a problem - I have a tent I can stand up in with a seperate bedroom, and it was no issue sleeping on a mat inside a sleeping bag. I only struggled with the carrying my stuff from the car to pitch and the standing for long periods - increased fitness levels will sort that. I too want to still be abl;e to go to Glasto in my 70ies!!!!!

[mandypants]

This year was only my 3rd Glasto, and my first muddy one. I'm still utterly in love with it all so there'll be no goodbyes from me just yet, despite the difficulties I faced, with the trudging through mud straining my ankles, knees and back. I can understand why others would feel differently though, especially when you are factoring in health issues, I have no idea how a lot of the disabled attendees get around the place when it's muddy, kudos to them.

[micawber]

Definitely keep going if you can. Festivals keep you feeling young!

For old registered disabled goers, if Glastonbury really is too much, then I'd recommend Reading! If you're prepared to treat it as your annual holiday, then stop in a hotel in town. Comfortable bed, lie ins, cooked breakfast, stock up on food at the supermarket, taxi to the entrance, special access straight into arena, excellent viewing platforms, short distance between 6 stages, less crowded than Pyramid and virtually none of the well publicised nonsense that happens in the camp site. Of course you'll be well over the average age but if you don't care then, from my experience, no one else will give a damn either.

[mandypants]

Definitely keep going if you can. Festivals keep you feeling young!

For old registered disabled goers, if Glastonbury really is too much, then I'd recommend Reading! If you're prepared to treat it as your annual holiday, then stop in a hotel in town. Comfortable bed, lie ins, cooked breakfast, stock up on food at the supermarket, taxi to the entrance, special access straight into arena, excellent viewing platforms, short distance between 6 stages, less crowded than Pyramid and virtually none of the well publicised nonsense that happens in the camp site. Of course you'll be well over the average age but if you don't care then, from my experience, no one else will give a damn either.

[Bluearsedfly]

We didn't go this year and didn't miss it at all. We may not be back.

Edited July 2, 2011 by Bluearsedfly

[moremi]

will be 60 in 2013. Will still go assuming I get a ticket, camp, carry ALL my stuff to and from the camping spot - 2 trips - and walk around whatever the conditions.

[geebus]

When my friend was in as 'disabled' for 2004 the disabled bus that ferries people from the disabled parking site to the disabled camping site was happy to drop us off elsewhere in the festival where we wanted to camp.

So, if there's a justification for 'disabled' there, you can get bussed in. Don't know if they are still this flexible - probably helped that I was doing plenty of lifting and loading for the other disabled people, etc.

Oh and for Reading - not only is there less walking between arenas, but even without the disabled viewing, you can reasonably sit on chairs at the back and there ACTUALLY be decent space, as opposed to at Glasto these days it seems.

But yes, you do miss a load of the 'Glastonbury' stuff.

I wonder if there could be a case for those with money to say offer to pay for someone's ticket for a set of shifts helping them around, pushing wheel chairs etc. Person who can't afford a ticket benefits as does poorly person.

[mandypants]

Disabled campers are allowed one free ticket to take a carer to assist them. The only issues with this is that one of my friends' carers dropped out at the last minute, meaning she couldn't go, and some people need more than one carer. I'm sure though, if you have a good gang of mates, that they would take turns in helping where necessary.

[geebus]

Ah, didn't know that.

Suspect we already had tickets when my friend was injured - I had a full price 'normal' ticket, though think I may have got some special disabled band or something on entry too, forget the details.

[mandypants]

Ah, didn't know that.

Suspect we already had tickets when my friend was injured - I had a full price 'normal' ticket, though think I may have got some special disabled band or something on entry too, forget the details.