Belfast Continued…..

For the past two weeks, the ‘anomaly’ of beautiful, sunshine-filled days has continued, which made exploring Belfast and the countryside so much more pleasant.

Since the last time I posted, I have walked through a bubble-filled archway in the tiny alleyway downtown; spent a lovely Friday morning wandering through St. George’s Market; spent a lovely Sunday afternoon at Rowallane Gardens in Ballynahench with Ruth and her Mum and Dad; and celebrated my birthday at The Crown Bar & Saloon with fresh oysters, fish ‘n chips, pints of Irish ale and a wee spot of Jameson Crested. A lovely way to celebrate.

Next, Ruth and I went to a lecture celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Birth of America. Professors from Oxford and Cambridge shared the history of the many Irish and Scots who were instrumental in the founding of the United States. It was held at the National Archives building which happened to be just across the street from the amazing Titanic Belfast. (video tour linked)

We had dinner in the hotel which was originally the headquarters for those building the ship. The huge, glass-roofed room, which is now the bar, was where over 100 desks were set up holding the plans and sketches from the many ship designers and architects who worked to build Titanic.

The bright yellow pergola and very weirdly shaped building holding a great corner pub were pictures snapped on a walk through town, as well as the beautiful gold-topped iron stanchion outside the Belfast Cathedral and the funky mural with a wrought-iron musical scale topped by a bird in a back alley off Royal Street.

On Fridays, Ruth drives an hour south to Strangford Lough in Downpatrick and meets a group of 9-10 totally crazy friends who all jump in freezing cold water for a wee swim! Yes, I was asked if I wanted to join them and I politely said, No Way!

Instead, I turned around, and there, just across the wee road, was Kilclief Castle. It was much more fun wandering around this ‘fortified keep’ and reading its history than freezing my tootsies and everything else off! Be sure to click and enlarge the photo of the history and drawing of the inside of the castle. Very interesting. And notice the hobbit-sized entry door. Though it is a newer wood replacement of the original door, it is the same height and size. We humans have gotten a lot taller.

After a rainy Saturday attending Ruth’s dad’s painting group’s annual show in Drumbeg, and a lovely walk through the Stormont estate grounds in between showers on Sunday, it was time to pack. I had a very early Monday morning flight to London where I am house and kitty-sitting in the borough of Walthamstow for the next 3 1/2 weeks. It’s ‘sits’ like these that will provide lots more pictures to share and stories to tell!

Until next time….