Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Belfast

 Welcome to Belfast

 We started off at the welcome centre and picked up a wee little mascot that will travel with us from one corner to the other corner of our round little world.
 Who would have believed  that the first major building we saw in Belfast would be the 8300 seat Odyssey Arena, home of The Belfast Giants of the British Elite  hockey league.
 This is one of the supply/tender boats for Titanic on its ill fated first and last voyage.

 HMS Caroline was used in the first and second world wars and now is permanently birthed in Belfast.

 The new Titanic Museum in Belfast, just recently opened for 5 months.

 These light standards represent where Titanic was built in it's dry dock. Our ship which you can see in the background is docked precisely where Titanic would have been first launched. The land here was back filled because of  the contamination of the soil.
 The huge cranes Samson and Goliath cranes owned by Harland and Wolf Shipbuilding, can each lift 840 tonnes.



 One of the fine British pubs in Belfast.

 One of the many murals in Belfast that show the great separation of faith/politics of the past and present.


 More murals.





 Lady with the ring represents peace for all.

 These two pictures are of the Royal Courts Of justice. During the past troubles a 12 foot wall surrounding them was built in order to protect them against bombings.


 A fine Irish Pub.

 Loyalist neighbourhood.

 The divide between Loyalist and Nationalist Belfast.

 If you cannot see me over the wall you cannot shoot me philosophy. Sad but true as it still stands today.

 Loyalist neighbourhoods are not hard to distinguish.

 As you can see by the Union Jacks flying this is still a loyalist area.

 There are murals all over town, never defaced or graffiti applied. They are painted to tell the many stories of Belfast, if only the walls could talk. 

 The many religious and political differences through out the city is quite evident.

 Murals and flags decorate different areas for different reasons such as the first world war.











 The houses are all well kept and no litter strewn around.

 These next few photos are obviously in Nationalist neighbourhoods.










 I just had to add this wee picture.

 Obviously someone has a sense of humour who named this restaurant.



 Our Hop On Hop Off bus driver of Belfast.

Our commentator for the tour around the city.

 After a hard day touring and learning it was time to sit back and relax with a wee (half pint) Guinness.

 Even wee Shaemus took in the action at a local Irish pub.

 This fine bartender is hoping to arrive in Canada in the next year or so to practice physiotherapy.
He is also a very good sport and has no idea where to buy fine Irish linen because he is only 24.
This is the last view of the Irish coast we had as the ship was headed to Scotland.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Liverpool

 Welcome to Liverpool
I thought i would start my visit by steering the wee 112 year old Glaciere Tall Ship(which has sunk 3 times....yes 3) around the harbour.
 Not a Tall Ship but a tall 17 stories of a ship.

 Albert Dock, Dry Dock
Old Pilot Boat
House boats located at Albert Dock.

 Some of these types of house boats participated in the jubilee parade of boats on the Thames River.

 Good cop bad cop?

 China must still be looking for this entrance and they would never think to look in Liverpool.

 Liverpool Cathedral is one big Cathedral founded in 1880. (5Th largest cathedral in the world)
Totally completed in 1978 with a dedication and attended by the Queen. 
 Built with large sandstone blocks and also made possible by cranes in the 20Th century.



Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16TH Earl of Derby donated the first $10,000 to the Liverpool Cathedral.
Most people would know the Earl for donating the Stanley Cup and Stanley Park.
This is a monument to The Earl of Derby is in the Cathedral.

 St. Luke's Church otherwise known as the bombed/burnt out church was destroyed by a incendiary bomb Monday May 5 1941 by the Luftwaffe.
 The church almost looks normal walking up to it until you start getting closer. The land around the church is kept beautifully manicured and nowadays people sit on the land to eat their lunch or just do some reading. 
 I bet it was a hard days and nights during the Beatles first concerts at this famous club.
Not sure if Sgt. Pepper was the doorman.
 I am sure with the fans going crazy three floors down it must have felt like Helter Skelter some nights.

 The club is actually quite large with a separate room for other live events off to the side that accommodates 450 people. 
 Two pints please.

 John Lennon on the street.

 Interesting architecture, blending new with old.

 These are the types of buildings you encounter all along the water front.

 Giving the ship a little Help leaving.

Wind power leaving Liverpool.
Sun is trying to break through.