The queuing was in fact part of the party, it wasn't that cold because everyone was so close to one another that (like penguins) we huddled and body heat sufficed.

Got inside at 10.30pm-an hour later-not bad for such a huge event. Very well organised, loads of crowd control and police (obliging and forgiving of my trying to steal helmets for a novel fancy-dress plan).

Just caught the end of FerryCorsten, suitably pumping out banging tunes and laying the foundations of a very definite party mood.

Dave Pearce followed for the midnight set and this really set the pace for what was to follow. Quite easily the best set I've heard him play for a long time. In tune with the build up to midnight all the way, couldn't tell you the first tune played of 2002 because the cheers were too loud and the hugs too tight to hear anything anyway. But it was damn good.

Following the euphoria of New Year were the inevitable 1 o'clock blues, I actually contemplated retiring to my bed I felt so knackered from the excitement. Hadn't planned 2 abuse substances and at this point really couldn't see myself lasting much longer. Sat down on the freezing floor round the edge of the arenas, it felt very much like a festival when outside the heaving mass of the crowd because everyone had their coats and gloves on sitting in circles drinking!

Best thing I've ever done-decided to give it half an hour on the dance floor to see if I could pick up. Fan-fucking-tastic plan. Anne Savage came on 5 minutes in and she more than exceeded her god-like status in the "Anna List of Cool People". I so want to be her when I grow up. Within 10 minutes I wanted to stay till next New Year's eve. She rocked-literally. She dropped such funky cool house, not necessarily well-known apart from a few signature tunes but she got the crowd so hyped I actually cried with the rush of adrenaline and euphoria that went with her set.

And there, on the dance floor I stayed, all night. Alex P and Brandon Block followed, slightly lacking in oomph I would say. But then considering what they had to follow I think most would sound somewhat lame. Seemed a bit too commercial for a ministry event. Azzido da Bass was not needed, but then Brandon's bright idea to finish with some acid house actually went down a treat-probably due to the hardcore old skool revival of late. Alex P played Billy Jean which also worked well. The good mood was definitely maintained by "Peasy and Blocko".

Tiesto brought a much-needed chilled out set at 5.30am. Beginning to feel the strain on muscle and brain so his ambient, progressive sounds very much soothed and recuperated damaged cells while contemporaneously building on the energy level which had not dipped since Anne Savage saved the world from tragedy earlier on. When Judge Jules entered the stage at 7am, the expectant silence said it all. The dome was practically as full as it had been at midnight (the wonders of modern day party fuel) with exhausted yet once again jubilant "nutters" as Brandon Block would and did say. The last two hours were superb. Finished off what could possibly have been up there with the best nights of my life. Kosheen's "Catchy" definitely the song to mark the occasion, but the drop in "Beautiful" made me cry for the second time that night. It really was beautiful, the crowd had turned left to face the sunrise, eye-piercingly golden and clearly visible through the dome's opening. An unforgettable image.

Left reluctuntantly at 8.45am, to be labelled "hedonistic hooligans" by the very tired dome staff on the exit doors. Big respect for their stamina-even if they were on £16/hour.

An utterly brilliant night, going back for more next year without a shadow of a doubt.

Anna Trinder

CLUBBING@VANGUARD-ONLINE.CO.UK