JOHN HUME is in the leading car entering the Trasna estate in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. The local SDLP candidates are in the vehicles behind. "RUC Out" greets them on a gable wall.
More Sinn Fein votes than SDLP votes in here, it seems. "I used to hate canvassing in this estate," says Mary Gilligan from Lisnaskea. "The young fellows would ask for SDLP stickers and then tear them up in front of your face."
The SDLP leader gets a civil reception the 18 month ceasefire and the Hume Adams relationship have ensured friendlier relations.
"Yes, they are much more mannerly now," says Mary Gilligan. "It was different before the ceasefire. The Sinn Feiners were fierce fiery then. For the first time people who are voting for the SDLP aren't afraid to say so."
Mr Hume is in reasonable form, but as usual gives little away. The row in the unionist camp and the possibility of David Trimble being squeezed by Ian Paisley and Robert McCartney has made the headlines.
The SDLP leader is unimpressed "What's Trimble complaining about? He got his election that nobody wanted."
Will the SDLP top the poll? "I am not going to get into that at all. We are fighting this election on one clear cut issue getting all parties to talks."
But Mary Gilligan, and Mane O'Neill from Newtownbutler, are confident "Oh, we'll top the poll, definitely."
Marie and Mary, and two of the candidates canvassing in Lisnaskea, Tommy Gallagher and Anne McQuillan, are products of, the civil rights movement that began almost 30 years ago. They are solidly middle class.
Now, as they canvass in Lisnaskea and Enniskillen, there's little evidence of the heady fervour of that period. This is a sedate campaign. "But people are still steadfast," says Tommy.
In the Ortine Hotel in Lisnaskea, a visitor approaches Mr Hume. "You are a credit for what you have done for the peace process," he says. The visitor asks' how he thinks the election will pane out.
"It should go all right," replies Mr Hume, at last slightly forth coming. "If the people come out we should do well.
Fermanagh traditionally records the highest election turnout but there are several imponderables this time that could affect it, not least apathy. "Republican Sinn Fein which is calling for a boycott are out in strength around Roslea, so I wonder will people be confused this time?" Marie asks.
John Hume is holding all his fire for the talks table if there is a talks table. He seldom deviates from his mantra about the necessity for inclusive talks, the three sets of relations, agreement among a divided people what his detractors call Hume speak.
He acknowledges that politics has become entrenched, that as far as unionists are concerned the Union is not negotiable. He shrugs when asked if there can be meaningful talks. "That's the question," he says.
But when it's put to him that unionists have accused him of hypocrisy, of being greener than he conveys, he finally opens up, a little. "Why did unionists oppose Home Rule? Because they felt they would be subsumed into a united Ireland against their will. Why did they discriminate against nationalists for 50 years? To prevent the minority becoming the majority.
"Why did they oppose Sunningdale? Why did they oppose the Anglo Irish Agreement? For the same reasons. Now, it should be quite clear to them that until the relationship with the rest of this island is satisfied there will be no stability," says Mr Hume.
