Camping and other questions

[beardyadam]

Firstoff I'm not a newbie, went to Reading every year from 1995-2006, but not been back since, and from what I can see it's changed alot. So could anyone help me out with whats changed, and specifically what the best site is, or what each one is like now? Also what are booze prices like now? And finally if one wanted to bring in something to smoke, how many police dogs are around once you get to the site?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[kittycat100]

Can't tell you much about mnost of the campsites - year before last Brown, our usual haunt, was full of tw*ts and so over crowded it was ridiculous. Not sure what changed over the bridge last year as we camped in white, as we walked through to be hionest most of it looked much the saem as it has done every other year (been going since 2001). But probably much more crowded than you'll remember from 2006.

Last year white was awesome, it was tidy (comparatively) was mostly quiet after about 3, no one tried to trash our tent, or start trouble or burn stuff and everyone was really nice. We got a good spot quite close to the bridge.

It was a trek to the arena, had to give it 40-45 mins at a peak time but as we tend to go and stay there that was no bother. Only camp in white if you are going to be nice

Last year when we went in when they first opened on wednesday they were quite thoroughly searching bags, tent bags, sleeping bags, the works. Mostly looking for stuff like glass, and aerosols, but sure they wouldn't have turned a blind eye to your smoking stuff. Thinkwe may have seen someone getting theirs confiscated.

Searching did calm down later.

Police presence didn't seem much different where we were, and no dogs on the gate that I recall. Though it apparently will be higher police presence this year.

Also the past few years there have been dogs at the station so if you are getting the train I wouldn't risk it, a mate said they were channelling everyone past the dogs and stopping and searching loads of people.

I think it was about £3.10 a pint, but 10p cup deposit.

HTH

[ar1]

Stayed in White before the bridge was built (2007) and there was a great chilled-out atmosphere but I will agree about the walk (it's quite a mission!). Glad to hear that it hasn't been spoilt by the bridge letting all and sundry cross the Thames

[kittycat100]

I think the journey to the arena is better now with the bridge than the faff with the boats, but it remaained a nice place to be. Hopefully they won't have tried to cram even more people in the campsites so it stays uncrowded over there!

[beardyadam]

cheers guys.

[Megahurtz400]

Depends on what your after?

Mayhem - Yellow, right on the path opposite Arena entrance

Good laughs, a tiny bit of harmless mayhem - Orange against a fence

Chilled out quietness - White

[DaLumberjack]

Green has been my fav, liveliness, boisterous large groups, but no people cocking around with us at all...now i'm not sure if that has just been because our camp sit normally has ALOT of people in...

In general the best tactic as you will remember is...make friends with your neighbours...so long as you have each others backs to keep an eye out, then thats more friends...