I'm new to Download so Q's to the veteran's

[phil123]

First of all hello to everyone.

Right, i've been to festivals before, mainly Leeds. I'm 32 and my wife is a little older Shes wanted to go to DL for years and this is the first time so l got a couple of questions...

What are they like about gas cookers?

Wheres the best place for camping, still with a good atmosphere but be able to get some sleep.. (getting there on thursday evening)

What are they like about gazebos?

and last but not least... Whats the deal with camp fires?

Sorry if these are silly questions to ask, but if l don't ask l'll not know.

Thanks.

[luckysalt]

First of all hello to everyone.

Right, i've been to festivals before, mainly Leeds. I'm 32 and my wife is a little older Shes wanted to go to DL for years and this is the first time so l got a couple of questions...

What are they like about gas cookers?

Wheres the best place for camping, still with a good atmosphere but be able to get some sleep.. (getting there on thursday evening)

What are they like about gazebos?

and last but not least... Whats the deal with camp fires?

Sorry if these are silly questions to ask, but if l don't ask l'll not know.

Thanks.

[phil123]

So theres no camp fires at all then. OK that saves me carrying a tone of wood and its a lot safer too.

and l'll be getting some more fuel for the stove thingy.

Thanks Luckysalt.

[luckysalt]

Map is now up on download website mate

[Luke Routledge]

Hey this is my first download festival but I have been to leeds for the past 4 years. Is there anything going on after the music on the weekend and on the Wednesday and Thursday? Cheers

[2rare2die]

Yeah they have the village, which has fairground rides and a couple of tents that have comedians on on the wednesday and thursday, then one of them has dj sets after the bands have finished the rest of the weekend. There is also the outdoor cinema.

[hardygra]

This is my 5th Festival, I was considering sneaking in a Gas Cooker, a small one, as those disposables and Hexis are a pain at times.

So they will take it off you, but not throw you out?

[neilloggie]

Quite a few round us had sneaked stoves in and used it in their tents, just have to hide it well in your kit and not have it on show.

[t8yman]

just shows what a stupid rule it is, most people who do sneak one in will use it in their tent, and that is ridiculously dangerous.

surely the reason for no stoves was to stop people chucking them on fires? if there are no fires, then surely a single burner gas stove shouldnt be a problem. the main reason I dont wanna camp in normal. I used to use hexi stoves when I was in the army cadets back in 83, I aint fucking 13 any more.

[the_hedge]

just shows what a stupid rule it is, most people who do sneak one in will use it in their tent, and that is ridiculously dangerous.

surely the reason for no stoves was to stop people chucking them on fires? if there are no fires, then surely a single burner gas stove shouldnt be a problem. the main reason I dont wanna camp in normal. I used to use hexi stoves when I was in the army cadets back in 83, I aint fucking 13 any more.

[t8yman]

Not a problem this year for us, we will have the full camping kitchen going on!!

[the_hedge]

we certainly will! as well as refrigeration, charging for our phones, electric lights. I'm still considering the chimenea.

Edited May 29, 2012 by the_hedge

[jammy2211]

not new but something I'm unsure on. I don't wanna carry all my booze with me in one trip... Will do if needed but would be too much stuff.

Is the coop you can walk to very close? Used to walking Tescos at Reading which was probably a 90 minute round trip so not afraid of a walk. Plan on getting all my booze at coop after pitching my tent, but won't bother if it's a no no. Anyone done it before? Doable?

Or is there any booze reasonably priced closer? The on-site prices are horrendous (£7 for 4x440ml) but it might sell bigger crates for less? Or there might be people outside selling it? *Shrug*.

[t8yman]

a ninety minute round trip to buy some beer? you must be mental. just bring bottles of spirits and buy cans of coke/fanta/lemonade or whatever.

id say that the shops in donington are at least an hour each way walking.

Edited May 29, 2012 by t8yman

[jammy2211]

a ninety minute round trip to buy some beer? you must be mental. just bring bottles of spirits and buy cans of coke/fanta/lemonade or whatever.

id say that the shops in donington are at least an hour each way walking.

[devilman]

[jammy2211]

No point buying one of them things just for my 16 cans of cider or whatever. Would have to then put it somewhere and stuff... did look into it but just didn't seem worth it. Could hire a wheel barrow thing on stie for a tenner.

My new plan is to buy my sleeping bag on site, saving a lot of room in my bag for booze. Will be pretty heavy but it'll actually fit this way.

Hoping to find some cans of brothers 7% or something in Sainsburys to minimize carrying. Or something.

[devilman]

I've always done campervan at Download but camp every year at T. You just DON'T go back to the car there as teh journey is a killer and walking to the supermarket just seems daft to save a few pence per tin. A trolley is deffo the way ahead and one like that folds small. I once had the smallest pop up tent imaginable and still managed to get the trolley inside it for the return journey. 2 slabs, kit, mattress and tent transported comfortably for £10. I've had it 5 or more years now.

[t8yman]

warm beer? how do you do it? it makes me gip. i only ever bring what could be drank in a few hours before it gets warm, after that its the can bar all the way. i understand lots of people do festivals on a budget, and I admire their mettle, but I dont think I could. i do it once (sometimes twice) a year, and really prepare/budget for it.

[devilman]

Can't say I've ever noticed warm beer at a fest. It's only morning and night I drink at the tent and it's cool enough then.

[jammy2211]

warm beer? how do you do it? it makes me gip. i only ever bring what could be drank in a few hours before it gets warm, after that its the can bar all the way. i understand lots of people do festivals on a budget, and I admire their mettle, but I dont think I could. i do it once (sometimes twice) a year, and really prepare/budget for it.

[the_hedge]

You would surprsied how cold tinnies stay, even in a tent. They get pretty cold over night and if you keep them covered it's not three bad.

[rocka-v1]

Can anyone remember how much camping chairs are in the village? Contemplating buying one there rather than just taking one on the train.

Edited May 30, 2012 by rocka-v1

[AcademicPistol]

You would surprsied how cold tinnies stay, even in a tent. They get pretty cold over night and if you keep them covered it's not three bad.

[ap3311]

You're at a festival: warm beer is all part of the fun.