October 8, Ferry to Northern Ireland, Belfast

 October 8

This morning we have breakfast and then head towards the ferry across the Irish sea to Belfast.

On the drive to the ferry we pass quite a few wind turbines, lots of farm land with sheep and dairy cows and this flock of ring-neck pheasants. The sheep are each splashed with a color to identify ownership. Closer to the sea we see lots of sea gulls, a few deer and corn fields.  

We  can see Ailsa Craig Island offshore.  It is an island of very hard granite, from which all curling stones are made.  No one lives there.  We have a bit of rain on and off again - we've seen quite a few rainbows this trip, but alas no pots of gold!

 As we pass the town of Girven, we note a sign that reads "Whit's Yer Hurry?"   We stop to stretch legs at the Varyag Memorial, commemorating a ship that was sunk twice in wars with Russia and Japan.  Neal pointed out a seal while we were stopped.

David gives us some history of Ireland, which was partitioned in 1922 into North Ireland (6 counties that remained part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland in the south which has 22 counties.  In Northern Ireland there were many years of what they call "the troubles", when Nationalists usually Catholics who wanted to be an independent Ireland and Unionist, usually Protestant, who wanted to stay united with the United Kingdom.  There were quite a few Scots who were followers of John Knox who settled in Northern Ireland.

The Sena Superfast Ferry is quite nice, with comfortable seating, large viewing windows, a restaurant, bar, arcade, kids play area, etc.  The ride is about 2 and 1/2 hours.  There is a small outside area, but it is very windy and chilly out there!  We hang out with Clayton and Kathy from Montana, share a sandwich and relax.

We are met by another bus here, with a new driver named Tommy.   Belfast is in effect the Capital of Northern Ireland and it's biggest city.  The Titanic and other ships were built there and there is quite a bit of Victorian architecture because that was when the city flourished!  Lack of economic diversity led to many protests in the 1960's and 1970's and Bloody Sunday and other skirmishes between Unionists and Nationalists.  US President Bill Clinton was key in promoting 1999's Good Friday Agreement which ended major civil strife.

Brexit has recently re-introduced conflict with Where's the Border being a major issue, along with taxes, import/export issues.  There is, in effect, no border between the two Irelands.  Catholics are also becoming the majority in much of Northern Ireland.  David predicts that the two will reunite soon, but it is still a contentious issue.

We reach our hotel, a Holiday Inn on Hope Street.   Dinner is at 6:30 here in the hotel.  Greg goes out and wonders a bit while Beth rests.  Quite a few murals in the area, including one to the late Queen Elizabeth. David shared an article with us about Prince William and his wife's recent visit where they were heckled a bit, by Nationalists no doubt.

Dinner is at the hotel.  Greg notes that the dessert was good, but we can't remember what it was!