Beat the weather with The AA

United Kingdom | | 09 August 2007

In recent weeks festivals have been falling faster as the rain that floods them - Truck, Fflam and Lode Star have all been affected.  With train stations succumbing to streams of water, buses being bogged down by the deluge of downpours and cars cascading along flooded roads like paddles of ducks, the only feasible way to get to festivals throughout July seemed to be by boat.

Many blame Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ for the recent rainfall, and so do I, but in protest I’ve refused to buy one during the summer and have ended up a soggy fool.  I flick on the TV and my excited little face drops as another greying weatherman declares another monsoon is meandering above my festival site. However like a good little scout I’m prepared and here are a few golden nuggets from our pals at The AA to help you get to your festival and back again whatever Blighty's mixed weather throws forth.

- Check tyre condition and pressures, increasing them for heavy loads if necessary.  Tyres in poor nick are more likely to cause crashes as cars can slip and skid across wet roads creating a dangerous and much less fun version of Dancing On Ice.

- As fields turn to lakes and roads turn to canals it’s important to be in the know about what roads are closed and where traffic jams are likely to be.  Then, in a Dick Dastardly styley, you can take a crafty shortcut straight to the festival site.  Use AA Routeplanner and check AA Roadwatch for traffic delays or roadworks that could affect your journey so you can arrive in time so you don’t have to pitch your tent in some malodorous mud.

- Losing your car keys will make you as annoyed as Kate Nash with nasty boys.  Festival sites can be massive and car keys are very small so keep them safe, secure and dry.  If you’ve got one of those posher cars keys, replacement can be costly and can take several days if reprogramming is necessary.

- Ironically you’re woken by beaming sunshine burning you inside your tent on Monday morning.  You get up pack your tent away still wet so it stinks the next time you use it and you trudge back to your car.  You let out a sigh of relief as the wellies come off and the trainers slide back on.  Then off you go…oops, no.  Try again…bugger - you’re stuck in the mud.  It’s handy to keep something suitable in the boot for a time like this.  Rubber mats, pieces of carpet or loose straw placed under the driven wheels will help traction when the field’s turned to mud.

- After avin’ it large for a weekend you’ve got to be careful you're not still drunk.  On the drive home remember that frequent short stops are better then long one long one.  If you’re feeling tired have two cups of strong coffee and a powernap (up to 15 minutes) before you hit the road again.  Fight back against the rain with safety!

Click HERE for more AA Travel Tips.