Northern Ireland

Well, we made it across on the ferry and into Belfast. I had never been here before and neither had my wife And definitely no passports required.

We had decided to stay in a hotel in Lisburn, a city renouned for Irish Linen, just a short drive along the motorway from Belfast. And so far, everyone we have met has been friendly.

We have yet to see any signs of the feuding past. BUT we couldnt help but notice that as we came off at the motorway junction that from the junction roundabout and into Lisburn were a huge array of Union Jacks poking out from everywhere. I have to say I have never seen as many in such a short span of distance ( except on TV) ever before. We were glad we picked Lisburn as a place to stay for the night.

Apart from the flags and funny accents the only other departure, from what appeared to be cities typical of Britain in general, was that extra little bit in terms of security. Extra cameras and we did see an armoured police car outside MacDonalds while the armed police officers were grabbing a takeaway breakfast at the same time as us. I have to admit to checking under the car a couple of times and confess to wincing a little as I turned the ignition on but so far so good.

Belfast seems a thriving modern city. It reminds me of Liverpool. And not just because there are lots of Irish folk about. My wife met a Filipina here. She has been here for 11 years. She started to annoy us by telling us about the days of no language test or TB test and fees a quarter of what they are now.

The overhead motorway signage tells us that we are 83 minutes drive from Dublin. However we have enough on our itinerary to keep us going for 5 days.

We did the Titanic museum yesterday. It was absolutely Titanic. Unfortunately, like a lot of these places these days it was not cheap to get in.

Today it is the Giants Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and one or two other ports of call.

Drove through a fair number of towns and villages today. Most were overtly flying a huge number of Union Jacks in particular and St George Crosses too. And the Scottish Saltire. Unfortunately didnt make Bushmills, the triple distilled Irish Whiskey makers. I arrived at the gate 10 minutes after closing.

We did however get to the Giants Causeway. Now I know it isnt everybodies cup of tea and yet it was extremely well subscribed. And from all parts of the globe too. Young and old. I was surprised at the interest, but then it is a World Heritage site.

Funniest part of the day was the chinamen in the chinese takeaway with a strong Northern Irish accent.

For me the biggest obstacle to such a visit has been the stretch of water between mainland UK and Belfast on the one hand and the troubles that have been ongoing for so many years, on the other. I sense that significant change has happened over here, at least for the time being. It can only be good for the people here and visitors alike.

We were sat next to a group of tourists from New Zealand who asked us how to get to Londonderry from the Causeway. I felt like saying " you dont want to be going there mate, too dangerous" but of course that was true a good number of years ago but not so these days.

Having said that, I notice a bomb went off in a Londonderry hotel just a few months ago.

Didnt get a chance. That will have to be next time.

Shame that you did not make it to the Bushmills distillery.

More a beer man myself, but I believe that "Black Bush" is the one to go for.

Giants Causeway does sound a lot more sensible before the distillery tour rather than after.

You mean like this? We were in a bit of a (Port)rush so couldnt find the time. We lost time earlier in the day going the coastal route to the Causeway. This pic is from google.

They dont allow children on the tour. So we couldnt have done that. But I was after a bottle of the 12 year old malt which is exclusive to the factory.

I built a ship in Belfast 1991-94. Very fond memories of the place.

Even then the most dangeous thing for the visitor was the breakfast*!

* Known as "a heart attack on a plate!"

Only ONE egg?! That wouldn't have passed muster at the cafe just outside the main gate of KG V Dock in the early '70s ...

That's the girl...

Made a fortune, now she is rebars.

Only been to NI patrolling the streets with my flack jacket and my 7.62 rifle. Seen the nasty side of Belfast. Won't go there again in a hurry.
Some of the Ulster folk are good people We already know that don't we.

Freefall lifeboat on the back.

No obvious signs of armed forces anymore. But scratching beneath the surface there appears to be simmerings.