Photo: WENN/Press/Tumblr
Yup - that's it. British summer time is pretty much over. Wasn't it fun while it lasted? We hope you made the most of the sunshine while you could, because if you're off to Bestival this weekend you are going to get WET.
All initial hopes for a little bit of sun turned out too good to be true, as the Met Office literally rain all over our parade with the promise of heavy showers at both sites. Even when the black clouds do clear, the festival veterans among you will only be too aware that there will be a helluva lot of mud.
So if you were hoping for flip-flops and tanlines on the Isle of Wight, but have ended up with wellies and trench-foot, here is our guide to surviving the rain at Bestival this weekend.
Get so drunk you can't tell
Ignorance is bliss, and alcohol is awesome. You're at a festival, and you know what they say: "When in Rome..."
Designate a 'wet tent'
A serious point now - be responsible, kids. If you're camping in a group then make one of your tents a 'wet tent' (or a 'went') to store all of your soaked and muddy gear separately. You don't want to wake up looking like this...
Make the most of the nautical theme
If there's one thing that Bestival is good for, it's fancy dress. Every year, festival-goers above and beyond the call of duty and even the realms of imagination to make an impressive. This year's theme is 'HMS Bestival' with an emphasis on the nautical, which is quite fitting - as you'll probably spend most of your time under water. So why not dress as a fish? Take a dingy? Build an arc?
Don't be vain - wear a poncho
No one looks cool in a poncho. Just bite the bullet, buy a disposableone, look ridiculous and maybe pretend that you're Clint Eastwood if the sun comes out.
Spend more time at the other stages
It's not all about the Main Stage. Far too many festival-goers flock to these kinds of things for the big names, but if you spend all your time waiting for the likes of Snoop Dogg outside then you're gunna get wet. Why not discover some new talent and stay dry as well? Win win. We recommend London Grammar on the Replay Stage on Friday, because they're ace.
Dance yourself dry
If you go to Bestival and don't dance your tits off then there's something severely wrong with you. With the likes of Jagwar Ma, Dub Pistols, Wu-Tang Clan, Disclosure, The Correspondents, Knife Party, Duke Dumont and Chic playing the tunes to get you moving, it's never been easier to rave away the rain - especially if Nile Rodgers cracks out 'Let's Dance' and 'Get Lucky'.
Have some 'quiet time'
Use the opportunity to catch up some time in your tent. You'll be wasted and dancing to Skrillex in a few hours, so make the most of the quiet in the campsite. Looks enticing, right?
Be careful with that brolly
If you're at the Main Stage, make sure that your umbrella isn't blocking the view of anyone around you - or at least be aware that everyone hates you and is likely to pelt you with all manner of unsavoury things. Even headliner Snoop Dogg is taking his brolly, why? Fo' drizzle. But he can always drop it when it's hot.
Embrace one another for Elton
The sense of love and community at Bestival really can't be beat - especially on the Friday night. If last year's closing with Stevie Wonder is anything to go by, then there are going to be a lot of hugs on display for Elton. So, get together, keep dry and...
...or just be 'that guy'
You know - that mental one who thinks it's hilarious to do 'the mud slide? There's always one.
.jpg)
