We arrived at the launch of Shift Time in The Quarry, Shrewsbury in time to see the evening launch of an unrelated hot air balloon into the blue sky of a summer’s evening. I love the gentle breathing of the burners; never figured out why. An hour later we were seated in The Igloo as Paul Granjon began his offbeat performance: his dubious instrumental abilities making my seven year old sound pretty good on her ukelele at its most out of tune. I was surprised that I thought this at seven yesterday (Sunday) morning as we awoke to a YouTube fuelled serenade.

It was interesting to see the development of Paul’s robots, and however crazy his inventions there was a strong undercurrent of serious scientist. And of evolution, the central theme of the festival to come. The lighting in The Igloo proved challenging even for the handheld a700 with its inbuilt antishake as the images testify; sad to see flash being used though, dazzling and distracting to audience and performers alike.