Beautiful Days opens with Otter ale, drizzle and Hawkwind

As we arrive on site for Beautiful Days 2009 I'm reminded of the trials and tribulations of having to wade through mud pushing the car out of the field in 2008 and 2007. The last time I was in this spot, I was up to my knees in mud pushing our very heavily laden car out of the field. However, as we're directed through the parking field I see that metal tracks have been laid this year; although they can't cover the whole area, they'll surely help if we get the downpours experienced over recent years.

The wristband exchange in the car causes no delay and we're parked up and emptying our wagon of kit within ten minutes of leaving the main road.

There are two main areas of camping and we opt for the one closest to the car park. Even though we arrive around mid-morning, I'd expect to see a lot less space available but we're not complaining as we have a large tent and a number of friends yet to arrive.

Once pitched, the ceremonial post-pitch beer is consumed as we look through the programme and debate what we'd like to see. Hatching a plan to build a cloning device to eradicate any bill clash issues we guide other members of the party into position and ready the troops for a shifty around the site. As we're getting ready to leave, the heavens open and plans are re-thought whilst taking shelter under the gazebo with beer in hand. Before too much of a soaking, the showers subside and we're away.

The walk from the campsite to the main arena takes us over a new bridge – the old brick one having been washed away in floods and the new temporary bridge still appears to be under construction. Flanked by two alloy alien metallic monsters – one of whom is finding it all a bit too much and has resorted to fishing, we pass through and towards the Big Top. As we approach, Levellers (acoustic) complete their set (we caught most of it from it from the camp site), and we're engulfed in a tide of people exiting the tent to find something else to do. Something about Beautiful Days and the people that it seems to attract means that even though we're going against the flow of the masses, we're greeted with smiles and people stepping thoughtfully out of the way of the buggy. This isn't always the case at other festivals but the vibe here is relaxed and laid back.

The bar is stocked with a healthy selection (or unhealthy if you're a liver), of real ale and cider (other thirst quenching quaffables were apparently available too). We sit down and catch up with friends, watching the world go by and enjoy the talents of local lad John Smith. His voice and technical ability are appreciated and it would be great to see him climb up the bill and perform at Beautiful Days again.

Having seen Jim Moray perform already this year, we can't resist listening to the start of his set. It's probably best described as folk with a modern twist. Its roots planted in the folk soil but it's mixed up with modern beats and effects. We head over to watch Sonic Boom Six who open the main stage. We can hear them a long time before we get there and their energy should be inspiration for other acts appearing over the weekend. Deep down, it's punk but their sound has tones of ska and hip-hop running through, and to good effect. They've drawn quite a crowd too, and the infectious energy spreads and the portfolio of sounds grow to include electro and dubstep. Heck, when it's this good, why try to pigeonhole it!

Having got settled in our usual spot in the main arena, it's time for a couple of ritual trips. First up is the merchandise tent where we're delighted to get hold of a Beautiful Days t-shirt for our son who's been after for one for years, and they've always been sold out by the time we get there in previous years.

The next stop is the customary visit to the nice people at the light and glow stall to the right of the main stage who have a great range of affordable glowing trinkets that never fail to delight the nippers, and stop us losing them when it gets dark. All glowed up, we're ready to start the evening.

The King Blues are next up and the early evening vibe mixes well with the swelling crowd. Initially, The King Blues remind me of late 80's bands like Senseless Things but they throw a lot more dub beats in and have no problems in winning over the crowd. In fact, they stop mid way through 'I Got Love' to stop a fight – the irony isn't lost on any of us! They’re probably destined for bigger and better things and it is feel-good thought-provoking music without banner waving.

Most of the ladies in our troop head back to the Big Top to see Imelda May while we stay in position waiting patiently to receive Dreadzone. With a few rain showers throughout the day, we're all pleased that the fading sun makes a brief appearance before they come on. Their set is the usual high energy brilliance but we are also treated to the new single 'Beyond The Rock', which has much more of a guitar feel than their older stuff. 'Captain Dread' goes down extremely well and gets most to their feet and shouting 'AHOY!!!'

It's obviously catching as Hawkwind greet us with an "Ahoy" as well. They may be celebrating 40 years as a band but some of the breathtaking visuals are a lot younger than that. It's the first time I've seen them live and the band don't appear to have a front man. The focal point – the visuals projected at the stage – encapsulates and imprisons them in a trippy dreamscape. Its hippy heaven and these prog rockers keep most of the audience spellbound. It's when the lasers appear that our jaws really drop. The effects are magical, and I wonder why they haven't used lasers throughout the set. When Jon Sevink from the Levellers joins them on stage, their direction remains solid but the psychedelic sounds have a bit of a folk twist. Maaan. Having seen them perform 'Siver Machine', I'm happy.

A slightly foreshortened end to the proceedings and we wander back to the tent to get the children into bed. From outside our tent, we hear the wonderful Seth Lakeman playing to the crowd in the Big Top and sit around and share a beer or three before getting ready for a busy Saturday.

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