Sep 16 2012

Autumn Flower Show

I was putting a few trees into the Autumn Flower Show for the Club on Friday and I took a few photos while I was there.

The show is set in the grounds of Botanic Gardens in the Centre of Belfast. The grounds contain some interesting features. I haven’t a clue what the cows are about!

This old yes is long over due collecting 🙂

A park character

Watching this old hand prepare his dahlias for show was nice to see. This is a dying art as shows such as this start to disappear. What a pity.

Some of the Dahlias on display.

Cacti also on display.

Probably one of the worst ways to display bonsai in competitive classes, no back drop, low tables etc but it still allows the public a chance to see bonsai and perhaps lift one of the club cards available on the tables.

Perhaps I’ll get a few more photos today when I collect the trees.

Jun 28 2012

Lucky Escape

We’ve had some heavy rain here for the last few days. Luckily for me, my town has escaped the worst of it. It was nice to be able to skip watering for a few days 🙂

Some parts of Belfast were not so lucky. BBC News Belfast Flooding Feel bad for those who have had their homes ruined.

But this made me smile, They had to bring in the Police Dive Team 😀

Jun 11 2012

Sunday Walk

Yesterday’s walk in the sunshine was along the coast at Belfast Lough. The dogs were bouncing around in the water which was about the only thing to make ripples on a day were it resembled a Mill Pond.

Loved this little sail boat that kept pace with us for a few miles.

Smudge cooling down.

A strange shark with a fin shaped like an elbow!

Walking buddies.

Herron on the rocks.

Pretty in yellow.

May 13 2012

Titanic Belfast

I have family home from Australia at the moment and they are visiting some of N. Ireland’s best sights. On Wednesday we all went to Titanic Belfast recently open on the exact site were the Titanic was built and launched 100 years ago. Here are some of my photos from the day.

The entrance sign

Also known as the big TIT 🙂

The actual building, designed to look like the prow of the ship

Some of the signs on display at the entrance to the exhibit showing the political situation in Ireland at the time. Northern Ireland didn’t come into existence until 1922 when partition took place.

My wife pointing out on the big map where her Dad was born, Coniston Street Belfast.

A lot of family pointing going on.

The Big H&W for Harland and Wolff the shipyard owners.

An example of a First Class Cabin

Second Class

Steerage cabin

A view overlooking the site of Titanic’s launch into Belfast Lough. This was the site of the Arrel gantry built to enable two massive ships to be built side by side. the one to the left is where the Titanic was launched and the Olympic was launched on the right. Seven men fell to their death from the 270 foot high gantry.

Had a laugh at this book.

I really enjoyed the exhibit which was very interactive and was packed with information.

We also got to see the original drawing offices where the plans where made for the Titanic. It is about to be renovated to become part of the Titanic Quarter attractions. A beautiful old building and my favourite part of the day.

The hardest working vacuum cleaner in Ireland. Plaster and paint flaking off everywhere.

Original Door glass at the reception area

Office view overlooking the iconic cranes of Belfast docks.

My wife Allison taking it all in.

Amazing old staircase in the drawing office.

and a great feed in the Dirty Duck afterwards 🙂

Apr 26 2012

Belfast Skyline

Snapped these first two recently whist driving past. I’ll rephrase that! I snapped these whilst a passenger in a car driving past 🙂 They are the famous Harland and Wolff Cranes that can be seen in Belfast docks area , now called the Titanic Quarter. They were built in the late 60’s, early 70’s around the time I was born and are called Samson and Goliath.

They are truly massive erections 🙂