SquaresRenew 1: the ferry to Belfast

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Loch Ryan 15/04/24

When Becky announced SquaresRenew as her theme for May’s Squares Challenge I was initially at a bit of a loss. She suggested the following concepts:

  • Move forward
  • Reconstruct
  • Renew
  • Burgeoning

Then I remembered – we had a trip to Northern Ireland planned! Those of us who grew up with the Troubles filling our TV screens every night will hopefully agree that Northern Ireland today might be imperfect (like most countries) but it is a good example of moving forward, reconstruction, and renewal – though I admit to having some doubts about that along the way.

If you don’t know the history, Google is your friend – I won’t get into the politics in these bite-size posts, but I will fill the month with images of our recent stay. Just about any image would do to illustrate Northern Ireland’s burgeoning tourist industry, although I’ll try to be more specific than that.

But first we had to get there … the ferry from Loch Ryan to Belfast being an excellent way to move forward! Don’t be fooled by the blue skies – it was perishing cold and blowing a gale.

Loch Ryan to Belfast ferry

Belfast here we come!

Northern Ireland, Scotland, UK ,

47 Comments »

  10. What a clever idea to focus on Northern Ireland and its transformation since the end of the Troubles! And while it might have been cold on that ferry the blue sky is glorious 😀

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  11. Such a clever idea to use your Belfast trip for the squares. I shall look forward to exploring with you. And how handy that you can catch a ferry over from Scotland. Now if only they would build a bridge…

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    • A bridge or tunnel between Scotland and NI was one of Boris Johnson’s (many) failed wheezes. It would have cost a fortune, not to mention the large underwater WW2 munitions dump at Beaufort’s Dyke! So I think the ferry is with us for a long time. We could also fly from Glasgow but you are hardly in the air before you are down again.

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  12. I liked the scenery over there and Londonderry as it’s built over a hill with good views. Didn’t see much of Belfast though… just the outskirts of the city on the way to hills. Bob. BSS.

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  13. How exciting to be visiting Northern Ireland. Is this your first time? It’s heartening to read about a place that comes out well out of a bad period of history. I visited two places recently that fit that bill: El Salvador and Colombia. I’ll be interested to follow your journey!

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    • Yes, it was the first time we had visited. I agree about places that have come out well from bad places and think of them as reassurance that other catastrophes can end too. The end of apartheid and the fall of the Berlin Wall were not things I expected to happen when they did, for example. All things must pass – but I find it hard to imagine how this applies to Gaza.

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      • We have so many student protests here over Gaza. It’s like 1968 and Vietnam all over again. Of course Republicans call it anti-Semitism, but I don’t agree. It’s anti-Zionism, or anti-Disproportionate response to one great tragedy (of October 7), and 33,000 people getting slaughtered and starved, many women and children. And whole communities being utterly destroyed. Students protesting are generally right about most things!

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  14. I had a bit of worry of being able to fulfill the Square Challenge too. The nice thing is that we read others entries and an idea comes to mind. I’m good for a few more times.
    You are so right about no country being perfect. Each of us has to be part of the move forward.

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  15. Hi Anabel – that sea looks cold, to put it mildly … and living here this month the north wind has been a-blowing – bet it was an interesting trip – so looking forward to it. Cheers Hilary

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  16. Excellent way to begin and a great idea to use your trip to Northern Ireland. I’m looking forward to seeing it through your eyes as we’ve never been there. It is on our list and was almost a goer for this year until flights got rearranged on us. And you’re right, every photo will really represent the theme.

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