As it looks like I won’t be getting a holiday this summer due to the dreaded dissertation, this year is all about the festival. I used to be a T in the Park regular back in the day (last time I went was 3 years ago purely to see Rage Against The Machine) but I’ve come to find the mess, the stink, the neds and the loos a little hard to digest. TITP is no longer somewhere I shall be gracing with my presence despite the memories (watching both REM and The Charlatans from the press pit – amazing)

I loved the Connect festival (in the grounds of a castle!) but it went bankrupt after 2 years and I was always put off by the 5 hour drive to Rockness.

But after scooping free VIP camping tickets for Rockness this year, well what is a long drive home with a hangover? Nothing for free tickets (plus Kasabian, the Chemical Brothers, Broken Records and a huge host of comedy acts). Plus it’s my birthday weekend too. Whoop.

and it is here!

Image from the BBC

VIP tickets mean toilets! And showers! And a proper bar! And good food! And a 5 minute walk to the camp site! With an amazing view!

Yeah yeah yeah I hear you seasoned Glastonbury go-ers. That’s not what going to festivals are about. Seriously I have got the tshirt, the midgie bites, I have lost my boots in the mud, I have come down with flu, I have lost everyone, I have missed the best bands, I have fallen asleep in the sun, I have peed behind a tree.

At 33 I want a little personal respect. And clean hair. I wouldn’t say I was a glamper by any means (I was a scout for 13 years after all) but sleeping next to someone’s sicked up noodles is no longer top of my list.

So yes, I am excited and yes I am already in preparation.

Now I used to go to festivals in my combat trousers, a tshirt and hiking boots. With a heavy duty waterproof. You can guarantee there will be serious weather. I once went to the Skye music festival where is blew a gale, rained, hailed, snowed and then the sun came out and it was glorious for the rest of the weekend. That is Scotland for you.

At Connect festival 4 years ago – check out those boots!

God awful jacket and hat…

But I  now reconsidering my options.

I read somewhere (probably ASOS as I have been on there a lot recently) that you won’t enjoy your festival properly unless you aren’t properly dressed.

Festivalling these days seems to be about fashion as much as the music and I don’t want to look like a frump next to some teenager in micro shorts and leather mimicking Joan Jet (who they probably have never heard of but ASOS has dedicated a whole festival clothing section to her, and Elton (?!) is he appearing at a festival anywhere?).

So, yes, I am afraid the wardrobe planning has started.  The three pairs of boots I’ve bought recently? The pretty dress? The apple top? They are all outfits for Rockness. They are just the beginning, I need the wellies (I’m thinking the Hunter short boot in blue), the rain jacket (probably a pac-a-mac style raincoat) and a little cross over bag to hold said rain coat. A hat too!

Then there is the gear. The tent, the seats, the lamp, the Esky, it is a whole world of new stuff to buy.

In all my excitement I really don’t know where to start with it all. I have also realised it is only 6 weeks to go! I know some of you girls are proper festival bods so any suggestions will be welcome, what shouldn’t I forget? What will you be wearing to the festivals this year? Where are you going? Any good tent suggestions?

Help me before I implode with excitement :)