I love Belfast in the springtime

Braved the weather to go over to see Rupes in Northern Ireland. It was a bit disconcerting seeing the wings being de-iced at Birmingham airport. As we came into the cloud above Derry the plane was being thrown about but I told Jill confidently that this would stop when we exited the cloud. My knowledge on this type of thing is a bit dodgy and if anything it got worse. The wings were bucking up and down and it was not pleasant.

The last time I had a landing like this it was in a Dakota, which shows you how long ago that was. We made it to Belfast that night with the help of several snow-ploughs

As you can see it was a bit difficult to explore the area with all the snow and flooding but we managed to get onto the Ards Penninsula and drive down the coast to Portaferry and across to the Downpatrick side on the little ferry. I was amazed it was running in the high winds. The snow-topped Mountains of Mourne were just ahead of us but we were told we should avoid the area as there was deep snow. The drive along the west side of Stranford Lough is lovely but it wasn't the day for walking. It was bitter and very windy. It wasn't so bad when it snowed but when it turned to sleet it was like being hit by icey shrapnel.

Went into Belfast on Sunday and did St George's market and had a look around the Titanic quarter. A bit odd having a visitor attraction centred on something (ie The Titanic) which isn't there but there you go. Had a look at Samson and Goliath, the two huge gantry cranes at the old Harland and Wolff shipyards which dominate the Belfast skyline. It's sad to see the acres of derelict land where once stood the biggest shipyard in the world.

The symbols of the splits in the community are everywhere. The Union flag was flown widely to the east of Belfast and the Unionist murals appeared as we drove further into the city. I wouldn't want to put anyone off visiting the city though. Everyone we met was really friendly, asking where we'd come from and whether we'd enjoyed ourselves and apologising for the weather.

Yesterday we intended to drive up the Causeway Route which follows the east coast from Larne to Ballycastle then along the north coast to the Giant's Causeway. It's fantastic country with views across to Scotland. Unfortunately we had to cut inland from Carnlough to Ballymena (Willie John McBride country) as the road further north was blocked by snow. The chap in the Tourist Information office in Carnlough told me with much enjoyment that it was the worst snow he'd seen for 50 years and further up the road they were evacuating people from first floor windows so deep was the snow. John Laurie from Dad's Army came to mind.

Great weekend. Saw Rupes for a meal on Saturday and Sunday and despite the weather saw a bit of Northern Ireland.

 

"I was there"

My old school friend Dai invited me to have a day out in Cardiff at the Wales v England rugby. Even my unconcious mind was in a state of excitement, hence waking at 6.15am. Played Welsh music videos for 2 hours on Youtube to get into the mood.

Bus full of Welshmen, with a few exceptions. Enjoyable journey spent with three generations of the Powell family and the sports pages of the morning papers. Wales needed to win to stop an English grand-slam and win by 7 points to take the championship themselves. Too close to call but Wales had been improving and England getting poorer as the season progressed. The papers asked "Would the young, inexperienced England team "choke"under the pressure in a packed stadium?" The roof was to be closed, we read, and the stadium turned into a pressure-cooker of noise and emotion. The anticipation was slowly being notched up and we were still five hours from kick-off.



 Dai's brother had arranged lunch at the "Potted Pig" and I had the uniquely Welsh laverbread, cockles and bacon for a starter. Well, you had to didn't you? We ate in tiled, subterreanean spleandour in what was an old bank vault newly converted into a restaurant.




 With kick-off time beckoning we spilled onto the rainswept streets and were dragged along past the castle and the Taff  by the magnetic pull of the stadium along with the thousands of others happy, laughing, nervously expectant fans.

A quick beer in the stadium and this was what we'd come for. First the anthems then the game. Wales the better team all round. Romped home 30-3. After a couple of beers in the roofed-out Traders Tavern we got  back on the bus to Cheltenham for a "prompt" 8.15pm departure (no way that was ever going to happen). Much sleeping and sporadic singing. Jill a treasure to come to pick us up.  A real "I was there" day.

Rail trail

Today's walk was around the rail at the racecourse. Weather much warmer. All the noise and excitement of the Festival and the first time that our grand-daughter had been to see the races. She often sees horses plodding along the lanes but this was the first time she'd seen twenty plus huge, fast-moving, hurdling beasts.







And here they come thundering past in a wave of power, speed and bad language. I couldn't believe how close they come At this stage my jacket got caught in the barbed-wire on the top of the fence so I didn't get any other photos of the ride nor of the wonder on Freya's face.

A typical Cheltenham Festival week so far. Yesterday, wrapped up in our warmest jackets looking at the daffs and crocuses. Today, reasonable spring weather.

 

 

 

Back to winter

I looked out the window this morning and the sun was shining so got the walking boots on. After a bit of a walk with Jill it started to snow and we were suddenly back to Artic conditions. Shows you that you need to be ready for a sudden change in conditions, especially if you're up on a mountain somewhere. I just hope the conditions improve later in the week for the Cheltenham Festival. When the wind whips over Cleeve Hill from the east it can be biting cold, although many race-goers seem so full of the black and white anti-freeze juice as not to notice.

Also hope the conditions are good for Wales v England in Cardiff next Saturday (I've got a ticket!). Nice to see the England backs make a pig's ear out of every chance against Italy. Too much bish-bosh down the centre and not enough guile or vision at 12 and 13. Let's hope the same style is brought to Cardiff and the wheels come off the chariots. I'd forgotten how deep my feelings for Clive Woodward went but the true visceral reaction I had on seeing Sir Clive on TV on Sunday was re-assuring.

The cold weather has seen Jill and the cat withdraw to the lounge and the warmth of the log-burner.A picture of true happiness.

Have just booked my ticket for Biarritz in preparation for the walk to Compostella. £22 for me and £25 for my rucksack! Still not a bad price.

Walking diary

With 7 or so weeks left of the start I'm trying to do 20-30 miles a week to harden my feet (and shrink my girth). As I walked through Cox's Meadow I saw Thirlestaine Hall peeping through the trees. I went round the back where the work is going on and was so sad to see the place completely flattened. The only vestige of the back of the old site which was still defying the earth movers was the old five-a-side court. Without wallowing too deep in nostalgia I remembered the titanic Mortgage v Investments/IT games. Russ, Martin "chopper" Redwood, Raj, Bobby W-N, and Mendy were all regulars for Mortgages and Jez Batt, Pete Styman, Justin, Rich Dev and Tom for the opposition.  Others to numerous for mention came into the sides on rota. Always enjoyed playing alongside Sean Scannell (we spoke the same language as rugby players) who introduced the Nat Lofthouse shoulder charge to our games. Best wishes to the players and all my old colleagues.

Trial blog

This is my first posting on my Spanish Steps blog, which I'll use when I'm on the road to Compostella. This a trial blog.