It was like no other Drumcree since 1995. There was an almost somnolent, routine air about it. A healthy cereal crop grew high in a field used as a short-cut by protesters coming from Portadown in years past.
One year they digressed from the well-worn path through that field to pour rubbish and worse on plots in the Catholic graveyard alongside.
Another field once occupied by tents and cars at this time of year was covered by flowering potato stalks. Preparation for Drumcree Nine would appear to have been going on for some time.
This is hardly surprising considering last year's debacle. Yesterday the press officer for Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL), Mr David Jones, agreed that it had been a devastating experience for members. But lessons were learned and put into effect yesterday.
Unlike last year, no one was allowed near the barrier erected by the police at the bottom of the hill. It carried two warnings advising that interference with the barrier was a criminal offence.
Nothing more offensive had been added than the graffiti "Billy 6th July 2003".
A cordon had been placed there and marshals from Portadown LOL kept everyone out while district secretary Mr Nigel Dawson presented their protest to Deputy Assistant Chief Constable Mr John McIvor.
He did so in familiar trenchant language, to a mild chorus of "scum" etc from a depleted tattooed brigade.
Indeed, one of the great contrasts to last year was the comparatively small number of such people present yesterday.
Another contrast was that no speeches by Portadown officers took place at the barrier yesterday, apart from Mr Dawson's protest.
District deputy master Mr David Burrows was the only person to speak outside the church hall afterwards and his words were a series of thank yous.
Even as he spoke Orangemen and women were making their way home. Soon just a few were left on the hill.
And that was the biggest contrast of all. For the first time since 1995, the news from Drumcree was that there was no news.