After the weekend I have had, this is a little different for you today, but please stick with me. We’ll be back to normal tomorrow – I promise!
While most people have been in the house and staying out of the torrential rain and howling winds over this past weekend; I have been at Download Festival sponsored by Kerrang and a load of other people like Pepsi Max, Vodafone and Tuborg (and Jagermeister too I believe).
Festival wear has never been so drab – though I do blame the weather for that little fact. Friday and Saturday were a complete washout; so much so that the field flooded and the water had to be pumped out before anyone could be let in…. and it was still a mud bath.
This year’s festival must have was at least two pairs of wellie’s! There were at least four stalls all selling them like hot cakes for dirt cheap prices. The second must have was a rain mac or water proofs of some sort; under clothes or over clothes – anything to keep dry. The only shorts I saw were caked in mud… in fact mud was the absolute accessory this year – great for your skin but not when it dries. Other accessories included umbrella’s, scarves, hats, plastic bin liners and walking aids of all kinds.
Sadly the disabled access at Download Festival was absolutely atrocious; so many of us were having issues (I was on crutches due to my fibromyalgia playing me around) but luckily by Sunday the ground had dried off a little and the sun even came out to burn our skin.
This change in weather of course meant a quick change in clothing; legs came out though wellies were still the footwear. Bikini’s, strappy tops (or no tops for the gentlemen) and an array of various costumes – I saw many supermen, Thor, Loki, Fairies, bumble bee’s and multi coloured gimps. I think the best costume I saw, which really made me giggle was a young lady in a giant penis outfit. I have a picture but I really don’t think it’s suitable for the website! I’ll leave that to your imaginations.
So a little check list in case you’re off to a festival….
- Wellie boots; at least two pairs in case one pair breaks.
- Water proof jacket / mac
- hoodie or jumper
- two pairs of jeans (minimum) or a pair of long shorts
- BOOT SOCKS to stop blisters
- tissues
- wet wipes
- blister plasters
- umbrella (all saying the festival will let you in with it)
- bandana/hat/headband; three or more days without washing your hair you need to be able to hide it/cover it/style it.
- camping chairs / plastic bags
Finally, a word of warning – festival prices are completely ridiculous for clothing. Make sure you take whatever you need in duplicate. I was looking at jackets and hoodies on stalls and merch stands and they were retailing at £45+ for a simple hoodie and £60+ for a jacket. Festivals have a captive audience.
If/when you get cold STOP DRINKING and START EATING. Food will warm you up and wake you up whereas alcohol will just make you colder and sleepier (it thins your blood). Finally be careful with your recreational drug use… I’d say “don’t do it” but I know that is pretty useless. So please, just be careful and stay safe.
