Taking photos of his wife and daughter on a sparkling summer morning on the ferry to Rathlin Island, the SDLP's Sean Farren looks more like a man on a family day out than a politician in search of a vote.
"This is wonderful," he says, gazing across the sea to the white cliffs of Rathlin, gleaming in the distance. "It's one of the real pleasures of an election campaign to canvass the island."
SDLP representatives in North Antrim need to grab their pleasures when they can. It's a tough beat. The Rev Ian Paisley is MP for the area. Ballymena is the main town and it is staunchly loyalist. Over the past year, Mr Farren has had to deal with the loyalist picket of the church in Harryville and numerous petrol bombings of Catholic homes.
In next week's Assembly election, he is not facing one Paisley but two. Ian jnr has joined his father on the DUP ticket.
But Rathlin is another world. It is just six miles from the mainland at Ballycastle, but it has been untouched by the Troubles. The only time it hits the headlines is when there is a wreck or near-miss on its coast or a Greenland falcon or other exciting bird arrives.
Seven miles by three, it has a population of 115. It is predominantly Catholic, but religion isn't an issue. It has two churches, a post office, a shop, a pub and cafe, and little else.
There isn't even a policeman on Rathlin. There are only 78 votes on the island and Mr Farren admits he is the "only candidate to cross the North Atlantic for a small number of votes".
He recalls a visit to the island by his party leader. "John Hume came over in a tiny boat and someone said they were surprised he didn't walk across the water. I won't be doing that - John hasn't laid hands on me yet." The SDLP man was a senior negotiator at the talks, but the islanders aren't interested in the ins and outs of the agreement. "It's good to see the politicians coming over," says Dominic McCurdy, the ship's captain.
"We were delighted with the referendum result and we all hope the new Assembly works, but what we are really interested in is better resources for the island. We're very backward here, 20 years behind the times. We need money."
Peter McMullan, a farmer, agrees. "The island must be developed. We want more tourists, though not to the extent that there are traffic jams. I would never leave the island, but we need help here."
Rathlin's population was nearly 1,000 at the turn of the century. Today young people have no choice but to go to the mainland or abroad in search of work. "Something has to be done to encourage some of them to stay," says Mary Cecil, "otherwise, Rathlin will die."
Mr Farren believes tourism could improve the situation.
"Two new multi-million-pound harbours have been built in Rathlin and Ballycastle. Now we need to look at improving other facilities like accommodation. There is magnificent scenery here. The potential for bird-watching, sea-angling, sailing and other activity holidays is enormous."
Peter Campbell, a former aide to Queen Elizabeth, is out for a stroll with his labrador Kerri. He is delighted to meet the candidate. "I'm a big fan of John Hume's. I'm so glad we seem to be moving towards peace. We all get on very well on Rathlin. I hope things will be just like that on the mainland now."
Mr Farren's canvass is low-key. The razzmatazz of an election campaign is absent. There is no loudhailer and no rosettes. The islanders wouldn't appreciate that kind of thing. SDLP councillor Dick Kerr, a retired teacher who taught most of the islanders, knows them well. "They like a few jars and a sing-song and that's it. They are quiet, decent people.".
The SDLP manifesto contains pictures of the party's leaders with Bono, Nelson Mandela and President Clinton, but Mr Farren's visit with his wife and daughter means far more to the islanders than a thousand photos with rock stars and world leaders.