Taping off areas for friends?

[Chimps in Balaclavas]

I'd say traffic cones are a better option.

[mrtourette]

Tarmac

[Gnomicide]

In 2001 I had a 6 hour coach journey, followed by queueing for hours in the mud to get in, followed by trapsing through the mud trying to find a space. I finally spotted quite a big space, took off the backpack with a great sigh of relief only for someone to wander out the tent next door and say, "We're saving that space for someone".

I enquired if they were taking the p!ss and how big was their mate's bloody tent anyway?. After a fair bit of begrudging soul searching they finally decided there would be enough room for me and their mate if I squeezed in the corner.

Being met with a taped off area is like this only 10 times worse.

Luckilly enough though, as I was putting up my tent I spotted a smaller space a bit further in, asked the people by it if it was free, "Yeah mate, no problem, do you want a hand.....". Suffice to say I moved.

[mr gumby]

I'd say you've three options. Take all the tents and set them all up, choose a quieter field where space is less in demand, or be prepared to move the first couple of tents when your friends arrive. Taping off areas seems to me to be a bit like those idiots in supermarkets who pick up a few items, put them on the till conveyer belt so they're 'in the queue' and then go and get the rest of their shopping, expecting to slip back in when they're done. It's just inconsiderate of others who need a place to camp just as much as they do.

[The_Amazing_Oblong]

Take the tent outer skins with you, they weigh next to nothing. Put them on the deck to save the space for a limited time.

If they are arriving anytime after late afternoon Wednesday this still won't work in the most popular fields. People will leave 'taken' or 'saved' spots right up until space starts running out. After that people will shift your stuff and setup their tents regardless.

[JoBalls]

The other thing about saving/taping off a space is that the two who arrive first will be stuck in the campsite until everyone else arrives guarding said space, particularly if you are trying to camp somewhere popular.

I don't know about you, but as soon as my tent is set up I want to go straight off exploring, and wouldn't want to wait in the campsite for 5 hours explaining over and over again that the space is saved.

[mr gumby]

I'm hopefully litter picking this year. If i see any tape around i'll assume it's rubbish and clear it up!

[Klyde]

The other thing about saving/taping off a space is that the two who arrive first will be stuck in the campsite until everyone else arrives guarding said space, particularly if you are trying to camp somewhere popular.

I don't know about you, but as soon as my tent is set up I want to go straight off exploring, and wouldn't want to wait in the campsite for 5 hours explaining over and over again that the space is saved.

[gerardfenton18]

Exactly.

Sometimes you can worry too much about sorting friends out.

No harm in taking the "sod them" stance once in a while.

[gerardfenton18]

Also.... Did you for even one tenth of a second expect any different response to this thread???

[mrtourette]

To be honest the response hasn't been as hateful as I've seen before, at least he (or 'people like him') hasn't been blamed for Glastonbury not being as good as it used to be (yet).

[Staff_Sav]

I don't agree with taping off areas, however I will admit to maybe tying a couple of guide ropes from my tent to the next tent to block off a couple of walkways. But that's usually because there is barely enough room to walk through the gap without standing on the edges of the tents and/or ripping the tent pegs out the ground. I'm happy for people to walk through our campsite, but ideally with a bit of direction that heads them in the way of gaps that are big enough. I'm much happier to say hello and hi five someone who hasn't just ripped a hole in the side of my tent

[russycarps]

I don't agree with taping off areas, however I will admit to maybe tying a couple of guide ropes from my tent to the next tent to block off a couple of walkways. But that's usually because there is barely enough room to walk through the gap without standing on the edges of the tents and/or ripping the tent pegs out the ground. I'm happy for people to walk through our campsite, but ideally with a bit of direction that heads them in the way of gaps that are big enough. I'm much happier to say hello and hi five someone who hasn't just ripped a hole in the side of my tent

[Filthy]

Ripping a hole in the side of your tent after tripping over the guy ropes you've tied together?

[lucyginger]

I would just like to defend people who camp in Pennards briefly! Some of us are nice!

I've always camped there (first time in 2008) and I like it. If I camp somewhere else now, I will get very VERY lost. It's bad enough finding my way around as it is!! No sense of direction!

[Staff_Sav]

Ripping a hole in the side of your tent after tripping over the guy ropes you've tied together?

[gerardfenton18]

I would just like to defend people who camp in Pennards briefly! Some of us are nice!

I've always camped there (first time in 2008) and I like it. If I camp somewhere else now, I will get very VERY lost. It's bad enough finding my way around as it is!! No sense of direction!

[russycarps]

I would just like to defend people who camp in Pennards briefly! Some of us are nice!

I've always camped there (first time in 2008) and I like it. If I camp somewhere else now, I will get very VERY lost. It's bad enough finding my way around as it is!! No sense of direction!

[Mr.Tease]

all that will do is cause people to trip up and fall onto your tent!

Edited April 9, 2014 by Mr.Tease

[Zoo Music Girl]

High up so they are visible. If there is a two inch gap between our tents on one side, I'll leave a foot gap the other side. Surely making one side a more obvious walkway is more helpful to people trying to navigate their way through the tents?

[Yesiamaduck]

I hope you plan to build a lot of tents because that's the only way you and your friends will be able to camp near each other. Taping off areas is highly anti-social.

[gerardfenton18]

Some folks manage to fall into my tent even without any tent rope things to trip over! Last year I woke up in the middle of the night/morning, lent forward to get some water, and a giant foot came crashing in and landed where my head was seconds before- I get increasingly paranoid about it as the festival goes on! It happened a further 4 times!

Has anyone actually been crushed by a falling drunk while in their tent?

[Staff_Sav]

High up so they are visible in daylight. In the dark, when pissed, I can guarantee I'd go flying.

[The Nal]

Has anyone actually been crushed by a falling drunk while in their tent?

[**claire**]

Some folks manage to fall into my tent even without any tent rope things to trip over! Last year I woke up in the middle of the night/morning, lent forward to get some water, and a giant foot came crashing in and landed where my head was seconds before- I get increasingly paranoid about it as the festival goes on! It happened a further 4 times!

Has anyone actually been crushed by a falling drunk while in their tent?