"SIR Patrick Mayhew never did anything like this," said Sandra Moore from the Shankill as Dr Mo Mowlam hugged and kissed her way through the crowds in Belfast city centre.
"Well done, Mo. I hope you kick the men here into shape," a young woman yelled in Royal Avenue on Saturday. "Congratulations, Mo. You're a great girl," two middle aged men shouted outside the Castlecourt complex. "God bless you, Miss Mowlam," an old man wearing a Pioneer pin whispered.
The afternoon sun spilled onto the streets and the city seemed alive with hope. With election tensions fading and a new British government in power, even hardened cynics felt maybe, just maybe, political progress was possible.
"I think Mo is different from her predecessors because she really cares," Mary Bell said. "She was appointed only a few hours ago in Downing Street, yet she jumped on the plane and came here. She really wants this job.
"I couldn't stand Mayhew with his airs and graces and plummy accent. He was more at home in England and he hardly ever seemed to leave Stormont Castle," she added.
"Sir Patrick wasn't exactly a man of the people," a Northern Ireland Office official admitted.
But Mo was different. She talked and listened, laughed and joked and seemed to really enjoy herself.
The people warmed to her instantly. There were queues to shake her hand. She was offered ice creams, apples and sticky buns as Belfast took her to its heart.
"There is nothing la-di-da about her," George Loughran, a pensioner, said. "She's a lovely lady. It will be nice to see what a woman does with this place. The men have been running it too long. I hope she does something for the old folk."
Dr Mowlam is recovering from a brain tumour and Mr Loughran thought she had shown tremendous spirit. "Most would have collapsed in the corner with something like that but she fought through. She is looking terrific."
A genuine concern for the Northern Secretary's health was apparent. "How are you, dear?" an old woman in a wheelchair asked.
"I'm in very good nick," Dr Mowlam said with a big smile. "Though this is not mine," she added, pointing to her wig. "And I live in fear that it will blow off."
The assistant in Jean Millar's Bridal Shop offered Dr Mowlam a wedding dress. The Northern Secretary explained that she married last year. The woman promised to fit her out "next time".
Many hopes were placed on Dr Mowlam's shoulders. A young man wanted Labour to ban hunting. Ann Willis from the Shankill asked her to bring peace "for the sake of my two kids". She wanted to "be able to walk up the Falls and not feel afraid".
Terence O'Neill from the New Lodge believed Dr Mowlam could breathe new life into the peace process. "She could be very good for Ireland. I would like to see her standing up to the unionists and stopping the Orangemen in Drumcree.
Mickey Magennis from north Belfast had a long wish list: 20 per cent pay rises for public sector workers, no more NHS cutbacks, and "Paisley put in his place". He didn't get to shake Dr Mowlam's hand as he dashed off to a nearby florist's but, alas, they were out of red roses.
But not everyone was familiar with the new Northern Secretary. Spotting the huge press contingent following her up Royal Avenue, a teenager was puzzled. "Mo Mowlam. I don't know her. Is she one of the Spice Girls?"