It’s all a little bit different this year. It’s my first year as a blogger for Making Hay, although its my seventh festival. I spent the first afternoon navigating my way round the site, no easy feat for someone without an internal compass!

The Ordnance Survey are one of the exhibitors this year and you only have to look up to see their informative blue signs. The box office and the Friends Cafe are all in the familiar places, and although the site appears to be bigger than last year I am reliably informed that it covers the same area as before. The layout of the rest of the site is slightly different so it’s advisable to check the map at the back of the programme.

As ever, we’ve come equipped for all weathers known to man, but I’m hopeful of better weather for the weekend, if we can believe the forecast! A trip into Hay village is a must, and there is a regular shuttle bus, just £1 for an all day ticket. Check back here tomorrow for reviews of some of the events, there will also be some reviews of some Hayfever events from 10-year-old Max, a Hay regular for some years now!