When I arrived at the Earthwise festival site on Thursday evening I was greeted by a stunning seascape, framed by cliffs, fields and sky which, quite literally took my breath away.

The site had a friendly atmosphere, the kind of feeling that makes you want to take off your boots and dance by a fire.

As the sun began to set on this day, I watched it form an exquisite backdrop to compliment the glittering gathering on the hills.

I emerged the next morning to beautiful sunshine, faeries also began to surface and it was not a strange thing that this happy place seemed to turn into some kind of beautiful wonderland away from the prying eyes of the outside world.

Around the site I began noticing the turbines and solar panels, recycling bins and smiling friendly faces, even the areas around the taps had been made into tiny magical gardens with potted plants and decking.

If only life could be like this, where people walk around with smiles on their faces, making music, dancing and generally being at peace with the world around them.

The ‘ifsom’ art tent, which was situated on top of the hill, was the most brightly lit of all tents. Artists from Boscombe and surrounding areas had their work exhibited here, and this was visited by a steady flow of visitors all weekend. During the evenings the art gallery was a place where people gathered to form impromptu drumming circles and guitar playing. This was more than a gallery and more like a community of entertainment and creativity.

The ‘Small World’ and ‘Henry’s Beard’ marquees were lovely sanctuaries to be inside, fired by solar power the music played all weekend, and families, faeries and clowns gathered inside to escape some of the hot midday sun, which shone radiantly for most of the festival.

At night-time candles in tiny holders lit the paths to lead the way around the site. The music tents were alive with light and sound, and the village of traders on the hill above the main field shone in the distance.

This festival site was just large enough to not lose its intimacy and small enough not to get lost in. Children played happily and safely, and this place had the perfect environment for a family festival of camping and merriment. As I wandered around the site before I left, I could not help but think of how much thought and effort the organisers and stewards had put into making this festival a very sound and magical place.