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Although it might not be an Indian summer in the true sense of the expression, the skies over Northern Ireland have at last brightened in time for the final two weeks of the school holidays.
And the warm weather has matched the upbeat mood as Northern Ireland has played host to a number of showcase open-air events in the last few days. The province has been basking not just in the sun but also in the relaxed atmosphere which now prevails after so many fraught years.
With a range of musical and sporting events on offer, it has been party time for locals and visitors alike. The right note has been struck both at the week-long Camerata Ireland festival with Barry Douglas at Clandeboye and at the Vital concert at Ormeau Park.
On the sporting front, Belfast played host to the Liechtenstein football international at Windsor Park, at which David Healy was once again the man of the moment. Last night the focus was on the rugby international at Ravenhill, and at last the pulsating action on the pitch took the spotlight away from anthems and flags.
Although safety precautions restricted the number of spectators at both matches, live television coverage meant that many people could enjoy the action from the comfort of their own homes - or by catching the atmosphere in the local pub.
The Ireland-Italy encounter may have been just a friendly, but there was no mistaking the significance of the occasion. This was the first time the Irish rugby team had played an international in Belfast since 1954 and with World Cup places at stake, there was pride and passion aplenty.
This fixture was also a further sign that the image of Belfast in particular and Northern Ireland in general is changing. The province is back in the frame as a tourist destination, as is evident from the influx of overseas visitors.
A case in point is the return tomorrow - for the fourth time this summer - of the luxurious Grand Princess cruise liner. The 2,600 passengers on board will spend the day sampling the delights of the province and producing a welcome economic spin-off for the hospitality sector.
It is no surprise that hotels in Northern Ireland are enjoying a record year. According to the Tourist Board, occupancy rates are 4% up year on year, and rooms in Belfast are at a premium.
The developers are running hard to keep up and this week's announcement that a luxurious £20m Fitzwilliam Hotel is to be built in the city centre means that there are four hotels currently under construction in Belfast.
Ulster's newfound political harmony is producing a new confidence, both among investors and inhabitants. The good weather is here just at the right time for the bank holiday weekend - so get out there and enjoy it.
