Advice for Glastonbury First Timers in their 70's

[SouthbanKen]

My in-laws have got tickets for the first time after trying for a few years. And no, i'm not looking for advice on how to ditch them, we all get on pretty well and have done festivals together before - i'm actually buzzed we managed to get tickets for them. They are both pretty fit and healthy (after hip and knee replacements), but they are both 70+, so i just wondered if anyone had any specific advice.

 

They have done plenty of festivals in the past, IoW (as long ago as 1970 something and as recently as 2018. Standon Calling and Victorious more recently. 

 

They are staying in a Campervan on an offsite campsite, and me and my partner are staying there too. 

 

Obviously all the usual advice applies, but is there anything that I / they need to think of / plan for given their age? 

 

 

[Nice hymer]

Lots of practice walking beforehand to build up stamina and a decent lightweight chair to carry / sit on.

 

Out of curiosity, which off-site campsite?

[stuie]

Strong sturdy footwear in all weathers

Go steady on the mushrooms

Have a great time!

[Someoni]

Get them down Shangri-la they will love it. In all seriousness though the healing field will be great if they need a little time out 

[MilkyJoe]

There's no need to see it all. Go at their own pace and spend time taking it in. Try and avoid the worst of the crowds and hopefully it will be dry and they can stop and rest their feet whenever they feel the need.

 

I hope they have a wonderful time.

[mandana]

Make sure they have ample medication if they take any, along with copy of prescription if needed. Maybe ibuprofen gel for aches and pains for standing/walking all day and make sure boots are well worn in. I am not 70 yet but sometimes my body feels like it.

[Ayrshire Chris]

Yeeesss! We won’t be the oldest on site!
seriously, slowly build up fitness, don’t try to do to much, just enjoy the vibe. Decide who they really want to see and take plenty time to get there. And a couple of fold up chairs, those telescope ones, that are light to carry and easily to assemble. Useful for a wee rest now and then. 

Edited Thursday at 05:03 PM by Ayrshire Chris

[Skip997]

Gonna need some assistance for the all nighters 

[White.pepper]

If you’re unsure, just try half and see how you get on.

[parsonjack]

Socks.  Good dry socks.  Plenty of them.

[grumpyhack]

Good walking boots, worn in beforehand, decent dry socks, a fold up chair to sit if it's wet.  I also take thermal long johns and a thermal vest because even in summer the temperature can drop at night.  Don't rush and feel you have to do it all.  From time to time you may want to go your separate ways but arrange meeting places and times to link back up.

[phillyfaddle]

Take chairs for them to sit on. Seriously, they will need plenty of time to rest. Standing and walking all day will properly f*ck them up otherwise, especially in blistering heat/mud. Leave the chairs at a lock up at the end of the day so you’re not lugging them back and fore. Great they can consider it though, hope I’m like them at their age!! 

[CantWaitForGlasto22]

My advice would be not to underestimate the size of the site. Even for those of us much younger than 70 the walking can be intense. So maybe try to pick out just a few things they really want to see and try to stay at one stage for a few acts rather than go Pyramid-Other-Pyramid etc a lot, as it’s a lot further than you think (esp when crowded). 

[Ayrshire Chris]

Pick your time carefully to join the queue for wristbands. No use standing for hours and hours at the gate. That can be exhausting in the sun. 

[steviewevie]

whatever you do, don't go to the toilet.

[sedra]

If they are regular walkers then folding walking poles might be useful. Staying off site means there maybe a lot more walking at end of day. So plan to end up where you need to be close to exit. Chairs, stop and rest especially if muddy and very comfortable shoes. Leave chairs at lock ups overnight. 

[RandomBunny]

Take them to see stuff at the Acoustic tent. Also the bar there is great for a quiet chill time. Lots of seating there too. 

[CharlotteB]

Set up shop in one area for a few hours at a time. Soak it in, then (maybe) move to another area if you feel like it. But if you're having a good time, stay put. That's one mistake I've made in Glasto past; moving away from a good time. I mean...why? Kicking myself for it now.

[Skip997]

6 minutes ago, CharlotteB said:

But if you're having a good time, stay put. That's one mistake I've made in Glasto past; moving away from a good time. I mean...why? Kicking myself for it now.

It’s one of my “golden rules”. I tell myself stay put, it’s not going to get better. For me this especially applies after midnight and it’s lead to spending 4 or 5 hours in the same venue 

[mufcok]

First timers in their 70's is absolutely amazing. Hats off

[SouthbanKen]

Cheers all. Lots of solid advice for all ages here, but a couple of pertinent ones that I hadn’t thought of, so thanks a bunch. See you on the farm f**kers. 

Edited Thursday at 10:02 PM by SouthbanKen

[SouthbanKen]

2 hours ago, Ayrshire Chris said:

Pick your time carefully to join the queue for wristbands. No use standing for hours and hours at the gate. That can be exhausting in the sun. 

This is a good point that I hadn’t thought of. Obvs the queues are big on Wednesday morning, what time do they start to slacken off? 

[SouthbanKen]

7 minutes ago, mufcok said:

First timers in their 70's is absolutely amazing. Hats off

I am slightly in awe of them, won’t tell them that tho. 

[Spindles]

2 hours ago, Skip997 said:

It’s one of my “golden rules”. I tell myself stay put, it’s not going to get better. For me this especially applies after midnight and it’s lead to spending 4 or 5 hours in the same venue 

One of our lot spent 7 hours dancing in the temple one night this year, having finally reached the conclusion that there is nowhere better to be onsite after dark and it being too easy to waste half your night trudging from place to place and never really settling.  I remember bumping into him with a group in the SE corner a few years back while I was spangled and they convinced me to waste 2 hours of my night watching this group having all the success of herding kittens whilst trying to look out for everyone.  I ended up ditching them and returning to the entertainment I'd been enjoying before, in the knowledge that the acid was well passed the peak, as by now was the music.

[Leyrulion]

3 hours ago, SouthbanKen said:

This is a good point that I hadn’t thought of. Obvs the queues are big on Wednesday morning, what time do they start to slacken off? 

 

By 11am they'll walk straight through at somewhere like gate D if it's dry.