Arrived at 2 to set up camp. Location important - walking distance to the usual amenities - but not too close to the loo's - weather has made it ideal for the expected 35,000 crowd with no forecast of rain, wellies will not be needed!

After settling in and having a warm and helpful welcome from a number of the hundreds of volunteers we headed for an explore of the arena.

Highlights from the evening were;

Finding myself bundled into a VW Beetle and being photo'ed with a number of props for a festival momento. Rachel Posner from Megabooth usually caters for functions and weddings - she will certainly have her work cut out during the weekend with the festival mass.

Mary-Anne Hobbs DJ from BBC 6 music in the woods. After a hot day it was great to chill out with the growing crowd dancing around trees and bracken to some bassy beats. This welcome party to Latitude 2013 certainly got festival goers in the mood for a weekend of sun kissed enjoyment.

A nice surprise was leaving the woods and being presented with some huge glowing majestic swans bobbing on the lake. A floating moon above with an acrobat swaying made the experience breath taking and reminiscent of the Smashing Pumpkin music video 'Tonight Tonight' The ensemble was performed by Studio Festi - whose performances are described as being executed in the spirit of renaissance.

A couple of gems from the first night - I am in anticipation of what else is in store over the weekend.

After hours is a growing 'extra' and a must do experience for festival goers who want to carry on revelling into the early hours.