Blog 118. Northern Irelands Green and Pleasant Land.

SUNDAY 2nd June 2024. 10.34 hrs

I slept through this morning’s arrival at Belfast. I have a shore experience planned for this afternoon. Many options were on offer, with much emphasis seemingly on Titanic. Also the Troubles from 1969 are mentioned. I remember all too well this prolonged tragic event and its eventual less troubled compromise. My four and a half hour trip takes me to the Glens and the Coast, which hopefully will be a tranquil run out to the country without too much incessant commentary from an over enthusiastic eager to please tour guide.

The tour bus with interesting registration plate. The tour guide was excellent, pointing out many interesting sights along the way, with sometimes bitter-sweet humour. This was a lovely tour to Glenariff Forest and Park, from where many trails of varying “severity” can be *explored*.

Yesterday in Greenock, the weather was perfect with clear skies and abundant sunshine reflecting off the surrounding landscape and all therein.

*Views from Queen Anne* *shortly after setting sail from* *Greenock, 1/6/24.*

Really, I should have dined alone last night. The low sun of the evening caused discomfort, and the window blind was lowered, partially obscuring my view of the dramatic coastline I shall probably never see again. I soon got over this inconvenience and, if I really want to, I’m sure that I could take a day long boat trip along the same area.

*Through a window of the Britannia Restaurant*, *near to where I was seated.*

Today, the weather is overcast, but, so far, dry. I will see if Belfast fridge magnets are available near the ship. There is not quite time to take the shuttle bus to the city and be assured of being on time for this afternoon’s journey. I have sent clothes to the laundry in premature preparation for packing. Thursday will come around all too soon, and vacating stateroom 8192 will feel quite emotional.

*Stena Lines ferries at Belfast this morning.*

I enjoyed breakfast at a lovely window seat in the Tramonto Restaurant before briefly disembarking, purchasing a few souvenirs at the port gift shop, and returning to the ship for a sandwich lunch to keep me sustained for the afternoon excursion with scone and coffee included in the fare.

It was a fabulous motorway, coastal spectacularly rural journey to Glenariff Forest Park with café/restaurant and gift shop. Northern Ireland certainly is blessed with gorgeous countryside but a horribly troubled past that should not be overlooked. I enjoyed this afternoon excursion enormously and feel tempted to return on normal public transport. I would, of course, venture to the Giant‘s Causeway during the same visit.

I photographed and filmed some of the departure from Belfast, mainly for my own benefit.

The ladies with whom I dine had arrived before the appointed time of 8.30, and as ever, our courses were far from in sync! The much anticipated show with West End star (I think) Rachel Tucker didn’t do my tinnitus any favours, nor her slightly smutty humour, at which most of the audience roared with laughter. I came away thinking, “That’s 50 minutes of my life that I won’t get back!”

The following morning, I would wake up at 6 o’clock and peeked through my curtains to see we were almost at the landing stage at Liverpool. There was no getting back to sleep. I put some clothes on, went outside, took some video and a few pictures of our maiden arrival at the Spiritual Home of Cunard.

Today’s the Day! QUEEN ANNE gets named, and so far, we don’t know who by.