It's the half way point of the conference, so how are we doing?

The first couple of days were an anti-climax, to be frank.

This event has been in our collective psyche for over a year and has been planned down to the last detail.

What was an abstract concept was slowly given form and became more concrete.

Planning meetings became more and more regular and there was even a countdown to the event itself on the office wall.

Expectations were high.

To say the least.

The police arrived at T-MINUS 2 days and the hotel was closed. They searched the entire place over and over.

The island site - or the 'Ring of Steel' came into operation at T-MINUS 1 day.

'Ring of Steel'.

When 'G' called it that I sniggered.

'cause I am sooo mature.

The PM arrived Saturday, as did all the other bigwigs. I saw him for the first time walking down the central staircse, surrounded by an entourage of police officers and I was struck by how tall he was.

I imagined him to be shorter.

His presence in the hotel was very transactional, simply entering and leaving, unlike the others who have mingled in this reception and that, smiling and shaking hands.

As I say, the first few days were not what we expected, they were quieter than they should be.

Until tonight.

Tonight the event has really kicked in and the hotel has been swinging.

And I like it when it is like that, the hotel is alive with the hustle and bustle.

It looks fantastic, a fusion of glass and marble spotlighted and reflected that gives it a fairytale air.

All the conference rooms in use, the bar full, 500 attending a Guardian media event on the ground floor...

Suits and uniforms mixing.

Kinnock posing for a picture with Brown, Prescott moving quickly through the lobby and Cherie smiling and waving to a known face in the crowd.

As I write this it's 3am in the morning and I have sat down for the first time. I have an ache in the small of my back and my feet are beginning to get sore.

So at the half way point, how are we doing?

We're doing fine.

Thanks for asking.

Now bring on the rest....