Sunday 31 December 2006

Ducks (everywhere)

Victoria Park - as soon as you turn up here lots of cheeky ducks and a few swans crowd round looking for food. These birds are so unafraid of people, its amazing (and a little bit frightening).

Saturday 30 December 2006

George Best


Underpass, east Belfast.
After he died in November 2005, a lot of murals commemorating George Best appeared in Belfast. He has even turned up on banknotes. Information on George Best and his commemorative foundation at : http://www.georgebest.com/

Friday 29 December 2006

Rainbow



After a night of wind and heavy rain, it looks like it's clearing up a little...

Thursday 28 December 2006

Sales aren't what they used to be


The sales are on. I spotted this fabulous bargain in Marks and Spencer this morning - a rack of nighties reduced from £10 to, er... £15.

Wednesday 27 December 2006

Samson




Samson (or possibly Goliath) viewed from Victoria Park.

Massive twin cranes Samson & Goliath are the landmark structures in Belfast, built during the late 60s/early 70s when we still had a huge shipbuilding industry.

(Oddly, Samson is actually taller than Goliath - 106 metres high to Goliath's 96 metres.)

The cranes are still apparently in use - mainly for ship/oil rig repairs - and have been awarded historic monument status.

Tuesday 26 December 2006

Robin


Little robin in Victoria Park, Boxing Day morning.

Monday 25 December 2006

Merry Christmas


Merry Christmas from Belfast!

Sunday 24 December 2006

Cregagh Glen


A hidden treasure, just a minute's walk from one of the busiest roads in Belfast. A lovely walk right up the glen - about 1km in total, coming out at a rath (earthwork). The only blot on all this beauty is the number of dog walkers who use it and don't clean up ...

Saturday 23 December 2006

Sheep

Didn't get any photos worth showing today so here are some lovely sheep - photo taken in Donegal a couple of weeks ago...

Friday 22 December 2006

Athol Street, City Centre


The last remaining terrace house in Athol Street - just beside Longs Fish Restaurant (a.k.a. the oldest chip shop in Belfast. Review of Longs at: http://www.inyourpocket.com/ni/belfast/en/venue?id=NIBFENX0249

Thursday 21 December 2006

Cranes



View from the city centre through to where the massive new Victoria (Shopping) Centre is being built. Belfast's skyline is full of cranes at the moment - which has to be a good sign. And it was announced today that IKEA will definitely be opening a store here next year (hurrah!)

Wednesday 20 December 2006

Sweetie shop


Scruffy little shop window, east Belfast.

Tuesday 19 December 2006

City Hall


Christmas decorations on the city hall.

Monday 18 December 2006

The Strand



The Strand Cinema on the Belmont Road, one of the last independent cinemas in Northern Ireland.

Sunday 17 December 2006

Sunday

Taking it easy in a favourite cafe for Sunday lunch.

Saturday 16 December 2006

Cold Morning


Early Saturday morning - lovely sky, low cloud hanging over the Cave Hill.

Friday 15 December 2006

After Christmas shopping


Waiting for the bus in traditional yuletide weather (drizzly rain...)

Thursday 14 December 2006

Breton biscuits at our Christmas Market



This market comes every year to the City Hall grounds. Stallholders from all over Europe selling, food, crafts etc. The food is an especially welcome change, though a lot of it is surprisingly pricey - £5 for a loaf of bread?

Wednesday 13 December 2006

GOH


This is the Grand Opera House, referred to in Monday's blog. Opened in 1895, it has recently undergone major refurbishment and extension.

Sunday 10 December 2006

Nearly Christmas


8.45am, twinkly lights in the trees outside City Hall.

View from the office



From my office window I used to have a lovely view of the mountain. Now it is mostly obscured by the new extension to the Grand Opera House. The extension is fairly controversial, mainly as a lot of people don't think it blends with the victorian opera house - photo to follow, see what you think.

First Post


The view from my kitchen window, out over Belfast on a damp Sunday night.