Im amazed. If its one thing I knew for certain, It's the effects of alcohol. Yet I awake from the first day with barely a glimmer of hangover. There was some sweating in the night though, maybe thats the Black Pig working its way out.

I hit the barrels with Nikki in the afternoon. She wanted to try wine, but Ted made damn sure no grape passed her lips. We tried a mixture of lights and browns. 'Bikes, Trikes and Beer' was among our favourites.

Later on, the entertainment was 'The Backroom Boys', which was a little more refined than last night's surley 'Doctor Busker'. I recognised one of the musicians as a former teacher of mine, Dave Broadfield. Great music, simply a guitar and fiddle, yet really soulful.

I hit a good one today, a really sweet and beautiful drink; Sharps 'Cornish Coaster'. A 3.6% brown which was pure bliss to drink. I'll be seeing more of this later in the week. My drinking partner Phil enjoyed a 'Resurrection'. He knows more about Real Ale than me, he gets more practice in.

Wishing to save my strength and stomach for tomorrow, I made the short walk home. Today (wednesday) was going to be a highlight of the festival; A St Georges Knight Party, with live medieval music, hog roast and staff in Fancy Dress. Let the slaying begin!...