The late afternoon sun brightened the route of the fair along Ock Street and High Street to the Market Place.

Crowds streamed in both directions

and the sun went down, and darkness came, and the children’s rides slowed.

The bright lights of the bigger fair rides and their pulsing music then vied for people’s attention.

Personally, I prefer to watch and take pictures, which is almost as thrilling as going on the rides.

Low scores are better in some places in the fair where scoring under 40 with four darts can win a prize. Under 12 wins a big prize.

Cuddly octopus prizes seemed to be a favourite on several stalls. On this one you need to score over 30 for a big octopus but every player gets an octopus.

Bob Marley reggae music pulsed from a shop at the top of West St Helen Street, its yellow, green, and black balloons celebrating Jamaica. A new caterer, advertising and serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine, will open there and are there for the fair.

And for those who had not overindulged in chorizos, candy floss, freshly cooked doughnuts, or overly bumpy or upside-down rides, there were also curries, fish and chips, German sausages, and foods from all around the world at the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair.