Back in Edinburgh

Jul 03, 2008 21:37

 It feels great to be home...or where it feels like it, given the whirlwind of the last few days.  But first, the tale of the Marches:

On our first full day in Belfast, previously mentioned, we tried to go to the Ulster Museum, near the B&B we stayed in.  No luck, they have been closed for a while, not to reopen until next year.  We did go thru the Tropical Ravine, though, an indoor warm, drippy, green collection of ferns, banana plants, and other jungle stuff just waiting to grab you.  We took the bus to the city centre (NOT 'downtown'), and when we got off the bus heard marching music, drums, flutes, etc. and saw the local constabulary blocking the street for the approaching group, which included gowned and robed and uniformed folks bearing wreaths.  It was the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, during which numerous local residents had served with valor (i.e., been killed), so there was a ceremony at the City Hall which it was our honor to witness.  We caught the priest's speech (valor AND need for peace) and the first few wreaths, then left to pursue the bus tour of the city.  Later, we ended up at the main library, using the computer to pen the last entry and check email.  We then started to walk to the rental car place, but were overtaken by a march heading to City Hall (so, march #2 for the day).  We then walked thru a loyalist neighborhood that seemed to be having a blockwatch kind of party, complete with preteens doing a breakdance contest, and ate dinner at a crummy Thai restaurant, got in the rental car, and started for the B&B, only to take a wrong turn, back towards aforesaid loyalist neighborhood.  When we figured out the map and how to go, I turned the car around and what should appear but another march!  We hightailed it the other direction and found our B&B.  History made personal, indeed.

The next day, after a few false starts, we headed up the coast, stopping first at Carrickfergus Castle, a well-maintained and interesting place, due to the excellent displays, including lifesize figures of the historic players.  Then, it was time to make Susan nervous with how narrow the road lane was and how I didn't need to slow down for curves and such.  It was a beautiful coast, and we drove pretty much continously until we got to the interesting geologic features of the Giant's Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.  Fun hikes, lots of columnar basalt.

We stayed overnight in Portrush, 'the Brighton of the North', and headed back to Edinburgh via the Belfast Int'l Airport and EasyJet, which claimed £20 extra from us because our bags, which we'd previously carried onboard, didn't fit their 'fits here or is checked' slot.  The airlines are getting crafty at snatching our dollars.

After a long bus ride on the milk run to central E'burgh, and a circuitous route to Ann's place, she fed us and made us feel extra welcome once again...highly recommended. 
Previous post Next post
Up