Annalisa, production co-ordinator and Seth Lakeman's biggest fan...

The lovely, and wildly talented Seth Lakeman and band: Double-click the play button to watch Annalisa's videoblog...

What's all the fuss about? Click HERE to find out!!

Red House prize for children's books awarded last night to...

Derek Landy popped into the web office here backstage at the Sky Arts Studio at the Hay Festival to tell us a little bit about the trials and tribulations of physically getting himself to Hay-on-Wye!



Turns out it was well worth the hassle as he bagged the Red House children's book prize at the awards doo last night - see the piece in the Guardian HERE.

Sinead, Editor-in-Field.

8 in the bag...two to go.

This videoblog should have gone up late last night, but the upload speed in the field disappeared and we've all been too busy today, with working, eating and birthday celebrations (for me and and for Justin) so here it is now...

Additionally...yesterday was great 'cause I got to chat to the great Kathleen Turner on the sofa while doing the Hay-on-Sky show. I ended up in shot too so I'm glad I was on my best behaviour... She's really been enjoying the festival and told me she's loved the sessions she's gone to and the fact that all these great minds and talents are all in one field! She even came to our wrap part for our What The Dickens? series that we'd filmed here. I had a bit of a 'moment' when I stood in the room (we hadn't been expecting celebs at this particular crew party - but the room was chocca full of 'em!) looking at the A-list Hollywood talent and panning right to the balloons on a string on the far wall....A-list Hollywood talent...balloons on a string...surreal stuff. Party planning consultants, take heed.

I recorded a videoblog with our musical performer Alex Valentine later - he was great and then we all went to see Kathleen Turner's session which was very entertaining. I'm definately getting my hands on that book - Heat magazine, hang thy head in shame - THIS is celebrity gossip at its finest. My cousin (Derek Landy, author of Skulduggery Pleasant) came to Kathleen's session with us - he did a session himself today called 'Question Time: Being a Writer', along with Graham Marks (Tokyo, Strange Hiding Place) and Andy Stanton (Mr Gum and the Power Crystals) and at the end he made the hundreds of worshipping young fans shout 'happy birthday Sinead' to me which was mildly embarassing as I was lurking at the side recording clips & snapping pics.

Then my boss came and told me & Justin that he needed us for an important meeting about the show and lead us into a colleague-filled trailer where there were balloons, booze, cake and pressies. Excellent :-)

We'd Dan Cruickshank as a guest on Hay-on-Sky today and some of us are off to see his session this evening - Adventures in Architecture, then we're off to the Book People/Red House party somewhere nearby and then back to the festival for the Seth Lakeman gig. Then, we shall sleep. The weekend awaits us. Show 9 and 10. Including What The Dickens? we'll have made 16 brilliant HD programmes in this muddy field by Sunday. Then we're all back to Osterley, Sky's HQ. Mental note to self: remember to not wear muddly wellies into the office on Monday...

Sinead, Editor-in-Field.

Wellies? Ready. Sunnies? Ready. Waterproof gear?... Doh!

Last year on my first visit to Hay, I managed to avoid all the rain. I remember hearing the horror stories of it raining constantly, it being so cold that they had to buy jumpers and socks and that it was just wet, wet, wet (I don't know they played here last year?! - Ed). I came down on the last weekend of the festival and would you believe it - the sun was out! I didn't understand what the team were going on about. I brought clothes for all types of weather as advised.

This year though, I could tell that it wasn't going to be great. The drive down from London was grey and grim (unlike last year when the sun was blazing down). Then when we arrived, it was cloudy and grey (but no rain - a plus point indeed). When we arrived, I parked the car in a pool of mud. So, wellies were definitely needed. After announcing our arrival at Hay, we went into town to get Carla some wellies and we could well and truly then start our Hay 21 experience.

First up, the most important thing was to get some lunch down us. I'd been driving since 7.45am (this was Tuesday) and so was very hungry and worn out from the drive. After lunch, it was time to attend the Hay-On-Sky filming. Guests were Nick Broomfield, Jo Wood and Jasper Fforde. I'd been watching the show at home and enjoying it so far so it's always exciting to see it being filmed live.

After the filming I went to my first event. It was about the fact that every single one of us has multiple and competing selves. This is different from multiple personality disorder. Rita Carter, the author, talked about how we all have many selves that we bring out dependant on who we are with. Apparently, women have more multiple selves than men because of something that connects the two lobes of our brains together (it's bigger apparently!). It was very interesting and made me think that that is quite true. Tracy at home is different from Tracy at work and Tracy with family is different from Tracy with friends. I won't go into the science of it (mainly cos I can't remember it) but let me tell you that it was very enjoyable.

On the way back I bumped into the Dom Joly team recording one of the pieces for the show. I just heard drumming and thought, what's going on here? I missed most of it but you can see what I managed to catch below.

In the evening, I had a dilemma. I wanted to attend the What The Dickens? recording as I'd been hearing through the week how funny it was and how it was going very well. But Jeremy Clarkson was also on at the same time. I'm not a huge fan of cars (I go by colour: that green car over there, that small blue car, that ugly one over there etc.) but I love watching Top Gear. I just think that they are a fab trio of presenters who just bounce off each other. It's funny and the reports they do are just crazy. So I compromised. I went to the first half of Jeremy Clarkson and then left in time for the recording of What The Dickens? Jeremy Clarkson was very good. He was very funny. He talked about how by driving a 500cc car, he's actually saving his children from sniffing glue. As he's able to drive home faster, he'll be there to tuck in his children and therefore they would grow up to be better people. So driving a fast car is a good thing. He also got the full support from the audience to take on the role of Prime Minister. He poo-pooed this idea by saying that he's so inconsistent he'd be changing the policies all the time! He also talked about how he first started out in journalism. Was it because he's always wanted to write about cars? No, he found out that he could get to drive a different car each week.

I enjoyed this session so much, I had to tear myself away. This meant that I got to the Sky Arts tent too late and wasn't able to get a seat in the studio. But not to fear, I sat in the Sky Arts production office and watched it there and played along and didn't get quite as much as I did in the online quiz (11 out of 12 for those who ask) but enjoyed it nonetheless.

After the quiz, we went out for a drink in town and ended up talking into the late hours. My first day at Hay was full and tiring.... and there was no rain!

Oh, but then day 2 arrived and I woke up to rain, rain and more rain. Hmm, maybe I should have got some waterproofs. Everyone was asking me why I didn't come prepared. Well, the optimist in me was thinking that it would all be OK like last year. Well..... hmmm.... I was then asked why I didn't bring any waterproofs. I have a car and that's my waterproof. I don't get wet. Also, I don't go outside when it rains. Problem solved. Except that on this day, I had organised to follow the Dom Joly team around, led by the lovely Marina. It was pouring down and it didn't look like it was going to let up at all.

I attended the Marcus Brigstocke 'The Early Edition' session where he goes through the daily papers with some guests. It was good fun although he clearly doesn't like Jeremy Clarkson. Some of the stories covered in the paper? A ship called HMS Lusty (though mind you, that was the nickname, they couldn't find out what the official name was), how to cook squirrels (with 2 recipes), and some others that I can't think of at the moment.

After this event, it stopped raining (hurrah!) and I walked into town to browse the shops and meet the production team outside Pemberton's Book Store. I then met the team of Marina (producer), Colin (soundman), Paul (cameraman and driver) and Dom Joly (talent). I'd never been on a location shoot before (unless you count my attempts at making my own films when I was at uni) and it was really interesting. I learned more about sound and cameras and was there at first hand to see how Dom is able to come up with things on the spot. It was great. They filmed the piece where Dom is looking for his own book. I met Dave Gorman too but after he did his bit, he went off.

Then it started again.... the rain...... and it was getting worse and worse. As I said before, I don't go out in the rain normally but when you're at Hay, you have to. I got completely soaked at one stage where Dom goes to see a fortune teller and I was standing at the side watching. That piece was the longest that they'd shot in one go. The rain was dripping from my hat and at this point I thought, hmmm, maybe I should invest in waterproofs. I thought it was hilarious though and how funny we must've looked and so got a quick video of it. I was then sent inside as I was probably looking pretty miserable. But it was really interesting to follow the crew around and to see how they work together. Dom is a very funny man and the crew seemed to have got used to the torrential rain by now. Shooting on location is very challenging though and I admire them for having been doing this day in day out since Hay started (especially as there was thunder and lightning at one point).

After drying up (but only a little mind), I sat in the audience this time for What The Dickens? And to my surprise, found none other than Kathleen Turner sitting a seat away from me. At one point, she turned to me and said, I don't know where my friends have gone. How surreal is that? But only at Hay.... The set for the show is brilliant and I have no idea how they will be able to cut everything into a half hour programme. Sandi Toksvig is a brilliant quiz host. I can't wait to see the other shows.

In the evening, it was Jools Holland. I'd been looking forward to this ever since I got the Hay brochure. Again, dilemma: it was the What The Dickens? wrap party and Jools at the same time. But as I'd wanted to see Jools, I thought I'd go to the party afterwards. Jools Holland was on top form and had his band there and some guest singers, one of them being Marc Almond. At first people were all seated but by the end of it almost everyone was standing up dancing away. I'm so glad I didn't miss it. He played the piano (of course) and also the guitar (I didn't realise he played other instruments). It was good fun and went on longer than the earlier show he played.

After Jools, we went to the wrap party to find that it had already finished :( Apparently there were balloons, party food and drinks, oh and Kathleen Turner turned up too. How glam is that? I did manage to get some of the party food before heading off back home where we played Who's In The Bag? before heading off to bed.

I'm a bit sad that today is my last day. The sun has come out finally! I had one more session to go to which was The World Without Us where we had to imagine what the world would be like if humans were to disappear tomorrow. Nature would take over completely and a lot of the structures that humans have erected would come down. Alan Weisman also pointed out that a decade ago there were 1.1 billion people in the world, then 6.5 billion (I could be slightly wrong here so please don't quote me on it) and now there are 9 billion people on this planet. He suggested that if we (as in the whole world) were to adopt the 1 child policy of China, the population would go down again to 1.1 billion. That's an interesting thought. Alan is not saying that we should but just poses the question. He's not saying that he wants to get rid of humans but that we need to find a better way of making humans and nature live together. I was very interested in learning more and went to get his book in the book shop here where he was also signing but it was sold out!

And that was my time at Hay. I've had a wonderful time here and can't wait to come back next year (where I will be more prepared).

Tracy, Waterproofless Person

Hay blog - it's sunny... and rainy. Very rainy

First day - get to Hereford at six and get to Hay via a Neil Diamond-loving taxi driver. The new ablbum's good and we have a "Name That Tune" moment as he runs though his CD sorter seeing if we know our Green Day from our Squeeze.

The Sky studio at Hay is very impressive. Everyone's working hard having recorded the first Hay On Sky programme and now it's gearing up for the pilot of our new cultural quiz show What the Dickens? A full house to see Sandi Toksvig work her comedy magic on the audeince and panel alike. My favourite bit was her story about being asked to interview Benny from ABBA, getting up at the crack of dawn to schlep over to Sweden only to press the buzzer at Chez Benny to hear a voice say "oh, I forgot you were coming". Sandi's reply isn't repeatable here but watch the show. Dan, Alyssa and I then get to slope off to see the cult Touareg rockers Tinariwen - as mixed an audience as you can imagine - 7 to 70 - Sahara-rock obviously more popular than you'd imagine.

The lovely Annalisa then drops us at our accomodation, 5 miles outside of Hay, a lovely farmhouse. City boys that we are Dan and I recieve minor head trauma courtesy of the ceilings/beams.

Saturday - up at the crack of dawn (well 8am) as Dan and Alyssa have tickets for a 9am session. I realise that my first session is 4.30pm but hey (or "Hay"?) time to go exploring. Well, after breakfast. Hay's an amazing place - bookshops everywhere, very laid back and, for one day only, the sun's out! Spend the morning taking photos for Sinead for the website and the blog. Chat with Jon Burgerman who's creating art in the Sky Arts experiential area - hugely popular with festival goers who can grab pens and colour in the work and add their own embelishments. Nice guy, lives in Nottingham so we chat about the place (we both went to Nottingham Trent Uni and he lives near where I used to in Sneinton). A brief trip ito Hay and spot a jazz Xylophone player - only in Hay (or possibly as an accompany to Ron Burgundy).

Off to see Gore Vidal is interviewed by Adam Boulton. Vidal's witty but prickly but very entertaining (a medla to Adam Boulton though for such a great job hosting and keepign things going). Vidal's a star though and this audience obviously are in awe as he gives his views on politics, art, history and, in response to an audience question, the young. "What advice would you give to yong people today?". "Grow up!". Book Show recording goes well - top guests too with Salman Rushdie, Christopher Hitchins and Fey Weldon. Make note to buy Hitchins' book.

Food! Go for dinner at the Black Lion pub. Rory McGrath and a couple of the editors are at the bar. Naomi Kline's looking to get somethign to eat (I think it's her) and we're in the quiet restaurant at the back. Relax. A bottle of wine and great meal later we have a slight hitch. How the hell do we get home? All the cabs in the area are booked for hours and we're five miles away. Oh yeah, we don't have a map either. Throw ourselves at the mercy of Annalisa who's at the other Sky house in Hay itself. Annalisa and Sinead are watching Eurovision. A small price to pay for getting home. A glass of wine, some chocolate, the ice dancing Michael Flatley and an argument over whetehr the sequel to "Pot Luck" is any good later, we're home.

Sunday

This is more like it - rain. In Biblical proportions. More photos for the web - slight contrast to yesterday. Jimmy Carter's in for a pre-recorded segment for today's show. Trusty camera in hand I wait with a Guardian photographer for Tony the floor manager to give us the nod for 2mins to grab some pics. Off with the wellies and up on stage to grab some shots of Mariella and Jimmy on the sofa. Crap photographer that I am 2 are usuable but that's all we need.

Cross paths with Mr Carter later when Dan, Alyssa and I are walking around to grab some tea and Dan is donning a free festival ponchos. Just as the wind catches it and he inflates like a giant smurf, Jimmy Carter (cluthcing a Pimms?) and his small entourage turn the corner. Spot Jimmy doing a double take as Dan inflates.

Buy my son some books by Julia Donaldson of "Gruffalo" fame - Dan says he saw the Gruffalo walking around earlier (part of an earlier session or Dan's losing it?).

Book Show recording this afternoon - Rory McGrath, A L Kennedy and Nina Conti are the guests. Very funny show with all on good form. Nina Conti and Monk win over the team here with people who saw her performance vowing to see her on tour. Tony the floor manager moves some of us in to the seats vacated by the guests. Get e-mail afterwards from colleague back in London taking in the live feed saying "I can see you on the telly".

Brave the pouring rain to venture back into Hay to buy essesentials - milk, paracetamol and fags ready for tonight's party.

Adrian, slightly damp but unable to spell

Day 2 -Best bits of Hay...

The Hay Festival is just fabulous this year - it really goes from strength to strength. We've had some great guests on our daily show Hay-on Sky including Salman Rushdie, Fay Wheeldon and Tim Smit and the first episode of What the Dickens had everyone in stitches. Sandi Toksvig is hysterically funny - if you have not been to see the show you are definately missing out!

Tonight has been a particular highlight for me as I made my way over to the Blas Cafe to direct everyone to their seats for the annual Sky Dinner. The glitterati of the festival poured in and I took my place at the back with the security folk. That is when it happened - Ex US President Jimmy Carter arrived and shook my hand and said ''Good evening Sweetheart''!! To top everything off the sun came out today too - one could not ask for more!

Annalisa (a very contented Production Co-ordinator)

Sunshine, thunder & lightning and two TV shows!

So the first day at the Hay Festival was an eventful one. We went from bright hot sunshine to thunder, lightning and hammering rain...coming prepared with both factor 30 sunblock AND wellies was the right thing to do after all!



One of the nicest things we've got going on here, apart from filming Hay-on-Sky and What The Dickens?, is a series of colouring-in walls, drawn for us each day by the artist Jon Burgerman. The visitors to the Hay Festival then pick up one of our paint pens and colour whatever part of the picture they fancy. Community art-making at its finest...

The first Hay-on-Sky show of '08 went well - as did the recording of What The Dickens? but you'll have to wait 'til Wednesday to watch What The Dickens? I'm afriad! If you've missed tonight's transmission of Hay-on-Sky (was at 8pm) then don't worry - it's repeated again later and we'll have some of the highlights available on our HAY-ON-SKY website tomorrow: http://www.skyarts.co.uk/hay

For now though...watch this little bit of webcam footage we took at Jon Burgerman's art walls today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV4wLOKJriA

Sinead, Editor In Field.