Stendhal 2023 was a triumph with its record breaking crowds, (mostly) glorious sunshine and the famously relaxed atmosphere in full swing again at Ballymully Cottage Farm.
A Stendhal fan since the earliest days of the festival, your reporter had decided to make 2023 the year to finally brave a weekend camping with my primary-school aged son - rather than the usual escapades with not-very-grown-up friends.
The organisers have worked hard over the years to create a family friendly atmosphere and the entire weekend proved a delight for both father and son, with the funfair, ubiquitous artwork, and children's activities adding as much to the occasion as the music.
Read more: Stendhal organisers hail 'best ever' festival after record attendance
A pop-up tent, far too much food, and some fold-out chairs in tow I arrived at the festival site on Friday afternoon.
The hand-painted signs and the friendly volunteers directed us to our parking space in an adjacent field, and we began the short walk to find the family camping area.
We'd missed the downpours on Thursday, and thankfully didn't need our raincoats.
Instead, it was an idyllic scene with children running and laughing in the spacious family area as parents watched on and enjoyed the sunshine.
All set up, it was time to make our way to the festival proper.
We were greeted by an array of food stalls, a funfair, and the sounds of music drifting across the fields as my son's expression began to change from a look of contemplative curiosity to a cheeky grin.
It was the beginning of a weekend of pure joy.
The Turin Brakes, returning to the event having headlined the first ever Stendhal Festival all the way back in 2010, captured the attention of a curious seven-year-old as the sun began to set on the Friday evening.
A sensational set with a superb cover of Pink Floyd's Breathe a surprise highlight at the Stevie Martin stage, it was soon time to catch the performance of Bob Marley's old band the Wailers at Karma Valley.
With a seven-year-old boy snaking his way through the crowds to make his way down the rolling hill to the front of the stage, there were a few apologies as an awkward parent forged a more cumbersome path in his wake.
There was dancing and singing aplenty as the legendary band worked their way through all the old hits.
Once it was all over, it wasn't easy to get the wee man settled down for the night.
In the morning, a cooked breakfast at the camp site was followed by a quick scrub and it was soon time to enjoy the funfair.
There were squeals of real delight on the bouncy castles, and wide smiles on the spinning teacups.
Down in the lower field, the forested area of Woodtown - just across a stream and fully decorated with quirky artwork - was full of activites for the little ones with crafts, a magician and of course live music.
Afterwards, the folk sounds of No Oil Paintings prompted another spot of dancing in the afternoon, and before long it was time for Cara Dillon back at the Karma Valley stage.
After a while it was all becoming a bit too much for an over stimulated boy having the time of his life, so we were soon back at the campsite for some supper and some bed time stories before bedding down for the night.
A perfect weekend.
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