under Queen Vic

There is almost always a third layer of 'statues' underneath Queen Victoria's statue in the City Hall grounds. (The bronze figures under the Queen apparently represent spinning, shipbuilding (the two main industries in Victorian Belfast) and education.) Any suggestions as to what the teenagers below represent (the two on the right must represent love, of course).

busy

Whilst England is suffering heavy rain and the worst floods in living memory, the weather here is almost, dare I say it, summer-like. Here's hoping it lasts....

the last one

The last raspberry of the year at our allotment.

for cod and ulster

This is the first themed chippy I have ever come across. Situated on the Albertbridge Road,
it's name is a pun on the loyalist slogan 'for God and Ulster'. Sticking with the NI political theme, it sells Ian Paisley, Gerry Adams and even Drumcree burgers.

more butterflies

Two more photos taken at yesterday's visit to the butterfly house.

big blue butterfly

We visited Seaforde Gardens and Butterfly House this afternoon. It is a really lovely place, with an attractively ramshackle butterfly house, gorgeous gardens and a really excellent cafe.

And, on a sunny July afternoon, there were only about 10 cars in the car park. Wheras ten miles down the road in Newcastle, there will be traffic jams and crowds all summer. Go figure.

This blue butterfly took a shine to my daughter and sat on her hand for almost half an hour (she had dipped a finger in some honey water).

Tragic Life Stories....

Further to my earlier post, I noticed today that WH Smith have also devoted a whole section to tragic life stories. Very odd.

glass slipper

I saw this in (appropriately enough) Queen Street this morning. Either Cinderella passed this way or somebody had a really good time last night.

city skyline

View of the city centre skyline, taken from the Odyssey. The large glass dome is the centrepiece of a new shopping centre that is still under construction. The small boat in the foreground is the SS Nomadic (one of the tenders to the Titanic).

Ulster-American Folk Park

We visited the Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum that tells the story of emigration from northern Ireland to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. The park contains some reconstructed houses - such as the log cabin above.

I saw the girls below walking round the park and assumed that they were some of the 'living history' costumed staff, but it turned out that they were actually tourists from the USA. I'm not sure what religion they are - Mennonites perhaps? - I was too shy to ask! But they certainly fitted well into the surroundings.

what I did on my holidays.....

Today is the 12th of July, and in Belfast, unless you want to view a parade, it just isn't worth going out the front door.

I'm not in the mood to photograph any more Orangemen, but if you want to see some photos from today's parade, have a look here.

So, I'm having a NOT BELFAST DAILY PHOTO day, and are some shots taken over the last week in lovely Santorini.

Oia is at the extreme north of the island. Much prettier and less overrun with tourists than the capital Fira, it has fabulous views.

Pretty much everything is photogenic in Oia, even the dogs are colour co-ordinated...

Atlantis Books is a really lovely wee bookshop in the centre of Oia. Fitted out with eccentric shelving, two dogs and a couple of beds, it is well worth a visit (if you can bear the overwhelming whiff of dog).

We had some really excellent food, including these gorgeous tomato keftedes and wonderful sweet watermelon.

A view from Fira over towards the dormant volcanic plug Nea Kamini.

Santorini is famous for volcanic black sand and pebble beaches -they get very hot so, if you're planning a visit, don't forget to pack your flip-flops...

11th night

The eve of the 12th July marches, tonight is the night when loyalists traditionally burn bonfires at locations all over Northern Ireland. Part of a celebration of loyalist culture, the details of which escape me, though as far as I can see large quantities of booze are involved...

This huge bonfire (at Shaws Bridge, on the edge of the Belvoir housing estate) is decorated with an Irish tricolour and Sinn Fein election posters and will be set alight at midnight tonight. Many people object to the bonfires on political grounds, and recently environmental concerns have become an issue.

Here you can view a photo of another large bonfire in Antrim.

Orangemen

Orangemen, wearing their traditional sashes, at yesterday's parade. Unfortunately no sign of bowler hats - I always found they added an nicely bonkers touch to the whole look. (The chap in the dark glasses is giving me an even dirtier look than yesterday's flute player.... I'll have to watch my step!)

This will be my last post for a week or so, Belfast Daily Photo is hoping to observe the next bit of the marching season from a safe distance (I'll be wearing my sash & bowler in Santorini....)

marching bands, city centre

I was shopping in the city centre today and watched this Orange band parade down Royal Avenue. I'm not sure, but I think the big drum featured on the third photograph down is a traditional Lambeg Drum. It certainly appears to have the bloodstains often associated with Lambeg drumming.