Well, if nothing else, Oxford can thank the Sunday Times Literary Festival for its extraordinary sway with the city’s meteorology.

Authors and broadcasters have come and gone, but the sun has been the festival’s true constant, and what a difference it has made.

After all, if it weren’t enough that one could see an A to Z of famous authors and broadcasters, what has made this year’s festival especially memorable is that they all seem to be glowing.

All, of course, except Blur musician and local farmer Alex James who failed to turn up to his cheese celebration on Tuesday (still, the goat’s cheese was pretty special).

Having attended every day, and kept a daily diary for our sister paper the Oxford Mail, what has struck me most is just how accessible the festival’s events have proved to be.

The event, once again supported by The Oxford Times, hasn’t just been a love-in for the city’s academics.

Indeed, at the risk of sounding like a Butlins commercial, there’s truly been something for everyone, from chocolate tastings to a free journey through the entire history of the world with Christopher Lloyd and his Diplodocus in the Christ Church marquee (the dino, by the way, is called Dippy).

Highlights, at least on a personal level, have included the ‘Genteel Tipple Through Gin in Literature’ on Saturday night.

Admission was £10 but for that one and all were treated to a whole smorgasbord of gin-based cocktails which left the audience glassy-eyed and frankly flirtatious.

Thankfully it was all over in an hour or Christ Church’s fine custodians might have had to contend with a cerebral rave.

My other favourite — thus far anyway — was the Tuesday talk by Sam Moorhead and David Stuttard entitled ‘The Romans Who Shaped Britain’.

It could have boasted all the charm and spontaneity of a cremation, but such was the charisma and wit of its two presenters that I soon felt ready, in time honoured tradition, to heckle.

Terrific fun and, yes, I did learn a thing or two which, when I next find myself in the company of historians, I’ll be sure to mine.

Incidentally, may I just take this opportunity to sing the praises of the bowler-hatted gents at the college, especially Ron, MBE, who was simply delightful (organisers please note: he should be giving a talk). They all lend the event a dignified yet cosy air.

Of course, the festival is only half boiled — from now until Sunday there’s a veritable feast of talks and debates — but one thing’s for sure, this has truly been an event the city, and county, can enjoy.

And how often can you say that about a literary knees-up?

For tickets, call 0870 343 1001 or visit the festival’s website at oxfordliteraryfestival.org