Saturday, August 5, 2023

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

What an interesting city. This is my first visit to Belfast and I definitely want to come again. Reminders of "The Troubles" are evident. It is amazing when driving around to think that fifty percent of the city was destroyed during WW2. There are new buildings among the restored older ones, creating an eclectic atmosphere. Lots of activity with three cruise ships in town today. 

Drove out to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, one hundred acres of beautiful gardens and Northern Ireland's royal residence. The "Irish Big House" was built by the first Marquess of Downshire in the 1750s and sold to the British government in 1925. 

And, we had pleasant weather today. While heat records are being broken at home, it is unseasonably chilly in this part of the world.