Having snuck a tent in the car boot, SARAH GOODWIN, is soon forced to eat her words when she realises that camping may not be her idea of fun.

Latitude to be precise, and my plans to camp were falling on my partner’s deaf ears.

I was trying all powers of bribery and persuasion, “the kids will love it, think of the freedom, the new friends they will meet, the magical evenings.” Surely he will be moved by these thoughts but the reply was not quite what I expected

“Yes, and toilets, remember your toilet phobia at festivals? A two day Glastonbury without going? At the time you described the pain as inhuman.” 

”Well, for Esme and Jasper it’s not about the loos.”
”No, but it might be about rain.” 

I gave up. At least until the car was packed and Marc set off to get cash while we waited in the car, I quickly sneaked the tent in the boot with some essential supplies.

Keeping fingers crossed for good weather.

I was sure his mind could be changed, especially as we had arranged to meet up with friends who were camping.

I was sure a beer with them would do the trick.

Beautiful setting and glorious sunny day, all looked promising.

First stop was to wake our friends and they were certainly getting into the camping thing, bacon on the stove and real coffee on the go.

We made our way through the happy campers to the children’s area.

The children saw the portable loos and dashed in, they were a bit surprised but as I told them you don’t hang around long there. Marc laughed.

The kid’s area was lovely, really inviting with lots going on, including the Innocent village fete, where the kids could have a go at traditional fete games in return for smoothies.

Six flavours later we moved on to where children were enjoying pond dipping, glass decorating, or just chilling on a big bouncy cushion.

Loo stop, no big deal I tell myself.

With three main arenas for music, poetry and literature tents, theatre and cabaret meant the day was busy.

The children were happy to wander along and even allowed us our music indulgences, Esme getting quite into the band Loney Dear and, in true festival spirit, wanting to sit on her Dads shoulders dressed in a bikini!

I confess the next couple of loo stops I opted out of and even the kids were amused, “You just have to take the plunge Mum.” Marc smirked.

Early evening we met up with our friends where we sat in the sun with a variety of the best festival food I had tasted. Of course by this time I stopped any intake of fluid, for fear of having to visit the dreaded toilets

Marc was studiously looking at the programme for the evening and sounding like he was set for the night.

“It’s a shame we didn’t put the tent in the car, you were right,” he says. With our friends offering to squeeze us in, I think fast and backtrack my earlier eagerness, annoyingly this takes a while.

Of course I am completely berated on the way home, but I don’t care.

Especially when I wake up Sunday morning and hear the rain on the windows.

I may have missed something, but as much as I love festivals I’m just not ready for those loos!