16th March

4C - 10C

Woke at 8am and had a buffet breakfast which was really good. We took some extras to make up a lunch. Took a bus tour around the city of Belfast which was very interesting. In town we saw a monument called the Albert Clock Tower memorial that was erected for Queen Victoria's visit. It has a four and a half foot lean on it because it was built over the Belfierst river and it's now sinking. Among the other places we saw were the City Hall, the building where the Titanic's plans were drawn up and the dock yards where she was built. There was also an old war ship used in the first world war called HMS Caroline and one that they found and are restoring. They don't build ships there anymore but instead build wind farm propellers. There is also two huge gantries called Sampson and Goliath. There are lots and lots of muriels on walls around the city depicting the struggles of Northern Ireland and others depicting famous sportsmen. There was the memorial to where all the troubles started in Bombay Street, and the Peace Wall in Cupar Way. Lots and lots of churches around. A new hospital which is supposed to be the ugliest building in the world. We didn't think it was too bad though. Saw Orange Hall which is where the Ulster people meet. Stormant Estate is where the Parliment Building is and a statue of Lord Carson. Finished this tour at around midday, collected the car and drove to Antrim to have a bit of lunch then headed towards Enniskillen. We have stopped at Belcoo at a B & B to sleep but had dinner in the next county called Black Lion. We went into a pub to eat but they didn't serve food so the publican suggested we get pizza from across the street and bring it back to the pub to eat. Very nice of her l must say and she was very friendly too. Tomorrow is St Patricks Day which is a public holiday and the town is gearing up for a parade and all sorts of celebrations. We're on our way down the south of Ireland to Cork. Gonna try to find the Blarney Stone. It should take about 5 hours to get to Cork but we'll see. We usually have to make a few uturns because we've taken the wrong route.