Thursday
The leper like smokers amongst us are sent to the beer garden. If it had been brighter the non-smokers would probably have joined them as it was we waited in the warm for their return.
That provoked another debate. Would the tents in which the Cambridge stages reside be considered public enclosed space? Would smokers be forced to move away from the music in order to enjoy the pleasures of their addiction?
Forced to go cold turkey, having worked their way down to the front to see that 'special' act that would form a large part of their experience? It would be interesting to see how far tolerance extends in this open democracy of ours.
The sun was trying to break through, but so far blue sky was still proving elusive, thankfully the same was also true of the rain clouds.
A more business clientele arrived and we decided to move our slightly raucous and raunchy conversation outside, much to the enjoyment and satisfaction of the smokers.
A fire alarm test made us consider if the addicts of the leaf should be made to wear bells and shout unclean between puffs, but we decided this would probably detract from the enjoyment of the music for everyone, with the possible exception of the most sanctimonious amongst us.
Lunch concluded it was time to go and drop my gear off before heading to my spiritual home.
I get there at roughly the same time as the same as the rain. I decide to leave my trademark Panama in the car. It's been coming to the festival for nearly twenty years and I'm not going to risk it now.
The weather provokes a frenzy of activity amongst the campers; clothes and food are dumped into half built tents that people are frantically trying to finish. The covered shopping area suddenly becomes very popular.
Texts arrive from others on the Fatea crew; they've opted to ride out the wet in the dry locations where ever they happened to be holed up.
It doesn't take long before the word stair rods are being applied to the weather. The rain is particularly bad news for the smokers, all of the enclosed areas are public so it's smoking outside only. I hear a resign laugh from one of the addicts.
There's two hours to go before the music starts, fingers are crossed.
I'm deploying the opportunist card and keeping my head down in the media caravan, enjoying a great cup of coffee and handing out this year's Fatea t-shirt, due to make it's actual appearance on Saturday.
The rain is easing off; it looks like the BBC's prediction of sun by six may have a fighting chance.
One major new appearance this year is a huge wicker figure of a fiddler, speculation is rife over whether it's due to go up in flames at any point during the festival. It's positioning would suggest not. Edward Woodward is conspicuous by his absence.
The photographers are starting to gather, the Fatea crew start to appear now that the sun has made an appearance. The festival is definitely kicking into life.
The appearance of old faces, bring home that another year has actually passed. There's gossip to catch up on and the first photocall.
Opening the festival on the Radio Two Stage is Mabon, Emily Maguire gets the honour in the Club Tent. Mabon win this particular battle of the bands on points, so I'm off to Radio Two.
The band's 'Ok Pewter' album went down very well in the Fatea office, which was why we wanted to see what they deliver live, we were definitely not disappointed.
Mabon, play Celtic music with a Welsh bent. It's full of drive and passion. They quickly transfer the energy they are generating to the crowd. Jigs get the audience bobbing, good humoured banter adds to the occasion. Cambridge 2007 is up and going with a massive G.
The album's good, but Mabon are very much in their element in front of an audience. By the end of the first three numbers they've already turned the crowd into their own. Cracking start!!