The camping essentials - I've found a bargain which you all need to know about thread...

[mjsell]

Just saw this from @glastolover19 in the questions section, thought I'd share it here in case people have missed it.

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/draper-garden-mesh-cart

Cart reduced from £75 to £50. I've never used it (nor any cart for that matter) but I know its always a requested item for some. Don't know if this one is a good option but thought I'd share in here

[jamesrfisher]

7 hours ago, alanr said:

You could always try this one http://camping.efestivals.co.uk/ergolife-stol-portable-roll-up-chair-614-p.asp.

A bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for and support efestivals at the same time.

I've had one for a few years and find it excellent. Unfortunately I didn't spot the efestivals sold it so got it elsewhere.

ARR 

+1 for this. We have had our for 4 years, have taken to 8 festivals in that time and a few other places and still in good shape. Nice and comfortable. 

[ironmike8]

Those Gelert tents... I can't seem to tell if the groundsheet is fixed to the tent or not. Does anyone know?

[Skoo]

4 hours ago, mjsell said:

Just saw this from @glastolover19 in the questions section, thought I'd share it here in case people have missed it.

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/draper-garden-mesh-cart

Cart reduced from £75 to £50. I've never used it (nor any cart for that matter) but I know its always a requested item for some. Don't know if this one is a good option but thought I'd share in here

I had one of these last year. It broke. Literally metal snapped off. Luckily the folks at Robert Dyas refunded me after the fact!

[Gnomicide]

3 hours ago, ironmike8 said:

Those Gelert tents... I can't seem to tell if the groundsheet is fixed to the tent or not. Does anyone know?

I've got a Gelert Tornado 3. The ground sheet is attached to the inner tent and rolls out to fill the porch area.

It's been a great tent, still going strong since 2011, about 12 festivals. I've bought a bigger tent now but my son will  still be using it.

[glastolover19]

5 hours ago, mjsell said:

Just saw this from @glastolover19 in the questions section, thought I'd share it here in case people have missed it.

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/draper-garden-mesh-cart

Cart reduced from £75 to £50. I've never used it (nor any cart for that matter) but I know its always a requested item for some. Don't know if this one is a good option but thought I'd share in here

Cheers buddy for sharing that,I didn't know this page existed. As mentioned in original post,I have not used this for Glastonbury but do own one which was brought when landscaping the garden and easily handled cement,slabs and sleepers and was massively overloaded quite few times with no trouble. Use the voucher code and you get extra fiver off

[borobud]

17 hours ago, ironmike8 said:

Those Gelert tents... I can't seem to tell if the groundsheet is fixed to the tent or not. Does anyone know?

I have the Chinook 3 and the groundsheet is fixed. Great little tent.

[matt2007]

Bought this from Winfields, delivered free in under 24 hours too. As i am crew i will be there for over a week so need a bit more space

[jamesrfisher]

Blacks have 15% off using code EASTER17

[mjsell]

27 minutes ago, jamesrfisher said:

Blacks have 15% off using code EASTER17

Bit racist

[siblin]

On ‎07‎/‎04‎/‎2017 at 10:09 AM, Plumb111 said:

I don't really see the issue with Gazebo's if you have a large group? Surely you would make a small area between your tents anyway so that you can have a social chat and sit down in the mornings? So what if this space is then covered by a Gazebo?

I'm with you on this - if you're just one or two tents don't bother, but if you're a group of 4+ tents then its a good place for you to gather your selves together or have a drink under when its peeing with rain, breakfast, or the end of the night. 

i'm much more irritated by people who use camping chairs 2 meters from the front of the pyramid, get arsy when people crash into them, and leave them there for people to break their legs on.  Sure if you're of limited mobility take a chair, but not into the middle of a crowd.

[liamium]

if you're looking for small, simple decent daypacks, decathlon have these quechua ones for £2.49

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-10l-hiking-backpack-red-grey-id_8331390.html

free c+c to asda too

Edited April 13, 2017 by liamium

[Stretlow]

2 minutes ago, liamium said:

if you're looking for small, simple decent daypacks, decathlon have these quechua ones for £2.49

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/arpenaz-10l-hiking-backpack-red-grey-id_8331390.html

These are pretty decent but very small, i got one last year to see how big it was can fit a few cans in nothing more, got a 17l on for a pound more in the end

[Sasperella]

What's the best footwear to take if we have an absolute scorcher? Whenever I'm been its been a 100% wellie based operation, so this is unchartered territory. My friend swears by jelly shoes, but i reckon thats asking for some savage blisters. Has anyone tried any of these? 

https://www.google.com.pe/amp/www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/10-best-womens-walking-sandals-10242108.html%3Famp

Other suggestions welcome! Too add to the stress I only have a week and half to break them in :-/

[scaryclaireyfairy]

49 minutes ago, Sasperella said:

What's the best footwear to take if we have an absolute scorcher? Whenever I'm been its been a 100% wellie based operation, so this is unchartered territory. My friend swears by jelly shoes, but i reckon thats asking for some savage blisters. Has anyone tried any of these? 

https://www.google.com.pe/amp/www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/10-best-womens-walking-sandals-10242108.html%3Famp

Other suggestions welcome! Too add to the stress I only have a week and half to break them in :-/

I got these last year: http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-salina-leather-ladies-walking-sandals-188015?colcode=18801524

I did lots of recreational walking in them and they didn't need to be broken in at all.  Sadly the only action they got at the festival was around the tent.  That pair is still going strong and will be at the festival this year and I'm having a new pair for 'best'.  The only caveat I would have is that I have wide feet and Karrimor's sole shape works for me.  If you have very narrow feet they may not be as comfy.

[MetaKate]

2 hours ago, Sasperella said:

What's the best footwear to take if we have an absolute scorcher? Whenever I'm been its been a 100% wellie based operation, so this is unchartered territory. My friend swears by jelly shoes, but i reckon thats asking for some savage blisters. Has anyone tried any of these? 

https://www.google.com.pe/amp/www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/10-best-womens-walking-sandals-10242108.html%3Famp

Other suggestions welcome! Too add to the stress I only have a week and half to break them in :-/

Last year was my first year and only reference point.... and even though it's going to be an absolute scorcher I can't imagine wearing anything less than converse or a comfy light sneaker. I go to a diff festival every year in canada and it's always dry and hot and no chance of mud.... I wore sandals the first year and my feet were wrecked. 

[mjsell]

I generally take a pair of walking boots, a pair of light trainers (Nike mesh front bordering on running shoes) and a pair of flip flops.

I only consider taking wellies if the weather has been shit in the run up and is predicted to be bad for the weekend. 

If it's hot then I wear the trainers to walk around in and have the flip flops in by bag to stick on when I'm just chilling at stages. Plus use the flip flops for general use around the tent. 

[Sasperella]

All good tips! Definitely wellies (because you just never know if a blazing hot forecast isn't gonna throw in a torrential storm at some point, and having survived two welly-based glastonbury's without blisters, I trust them more than walking boots) but yes, flip-flops for sure...nothing like being able to let your feet breath for a bit, even if the mud makes wellies essential for walking about.

It's just a choice of one another. I think converse or some sort of light skate shoe might be a good option...probably more likely to wear them when not at the festival. Although having done some searching I'm now quite taken by these: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZFLNAIS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2E8TL682DNE67&coliid=IFAJOPW58U7JU&psc=1

But totally agree that any non-walking sandal is going to cause a world of pain.

I also have ridiculous clown feet (size 9) and forgot how difficult it is to buy women's shoes...which is probably why I still wear skate shoes even though I'm 31 (and can't skate)...ha!

 

[MetaKate]

Used the discount at blacks and ordered this tent https://m.blacks.co.uk/product/green-eurohike-pop-400-ds-tent/165217/

Was £51 plus shipping... also *almost* has standing height for me which seems giant for a pop-up.  Hopefully it holds up! 

[Woffy]

10 minutes ago, MetaKate said:

Used the discount at blacks and ordered this tent https://m.blacks.co.uk/product/green-eurohike-pop-400-ds-tent/165217/

Was £51 plus shipping... also *almost* has standing height for me which seems giant for a pop-up.  Hopefully it holds up! 

Looks good. 

But I do love me a porch on my tent. 

[MetaKate]

4 minutes ago, Woffy said:

Looks good. 

But I do love me a porch on my tent. 

Im taking the train so the lighter the better! (Although pop ups are super awkward to carry) There is a tiny porch that will work for wellies and that's all I need

[Woffy]

2 minutes ago, MetaKate said:

Im taking the train so the lighter the better! (Although pop ups are super awkward to carry) There is a tiny porch that will work for wellies and that's all I need

All sorted then!!!

Take wellies, but we won't need 'em! NFR NFC!

[Untz]

9 hours ago, Sasperella said:

What's the best footwear to take if we have an absolute scorcher? Whenever I'm been its been a 100% wellie based operation, so this is unchartered territory. My friend swears by jelly shoes, but i reckon thats asking for some savage blisters. Has anyone tried any of these? 

Ay ay ay. She must have feet made of steel if she can do more than a few hours in jelly shoes.

My feet are pretty tough and I can happily spend the time in Converse or cheapo Primark pumps, but anything less than that is madness. 

I would recommend something a bit covered for when going to the toilets or venturing near the mud near the sinks (which will be there even in hot years). 

[prestonmike]

not sure what the quality of the goods are but Lidl have a camping sale on next week, including a cheap 4 man tent

 

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-Offers.htm?id=169&week=2

[DareToDibble]

9 minutes ago, prestonmike said:

not sure what the quality of the goods are but Lidl have a camping sale on next week, including a cheap 4 man tent

 

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-Offers.htm?id=169&week=2

Cheers! That tent is tempting. Gonna do some research into it first though to make sure it's waterproof. Not that it matters, of course. NFR NFC!