Ken McElroy - Our tour guide for the city of Belfast

Peace Wall in Belfast

The Peace Wall

The Irish Parliamentary Building

Queen's University in Belfast

Titanic Exhibition

Titanic Exhibition

Lord Douglas, Mr. D, the Harpist, and BW Babe
Waiting to go into the Titanic Exhibit

A Model of the Titanic

Titanic Exhibition

BW Babe, Leaning on a Lifeboat

Jamming in the Lobby of our Hotel

The Pub and our Music Venue for the Evening

At Kelly's Cellar Jamming with the Locals

Word of the Day

Tearyold - Descriptive of the act of a two-year-old or such young child throwing a tantrum.

Our morning started with a history lesson from Batt Burns. It was interesting how he tied all the bits and pieces together so we could understand the origins of the "troubles" in Northern Ireland. I remember learning much of this from this source and that but this was the first time someone connected all the dots for me.

After the lecture, we all boarded the bus, joined by a special tour guide who showed us the city of Belfast. Belfast may not be a huge city but there's lots to see. Sadly, it was really hard to take photographs from the bus. We were all trying to sneak a photo here and there whenever the bus would stop at a traffic light....not an easy task.

The Harpist, Lord Douglas, Mr. D, BW Babe and I all decided to hit a local convenience store for lunch today. Free time before our next scheduled activity. I bought myself a really tasty sandwich. Chicken Tikka on a baguette. Wonderful! BW Babe and I took our luncheon choices into the bar at the hotel. BW chose a cider to go with her lunch. I'm sticking to Guinness until I get tired of it.

Our tour group met back at the bus at 2:15 PM and we headed off to the Titanic Exhibition. I thought it was well done. Very interesting. The Titanic was built here in Belfast and the exhibition detailed the building process. BW Babe had visited a Titanic exhibition in the states. She said the one in the states was mainly about the stories of those killed and those who survived as well as a display of artifacts from the shipwreck. Both perspectives were interesting.

We had dinner at the same place as last night. This time I ordered the salmon and it was very good. It seems like I've been eating a lot of salmon since I've been here...and I've never really liked it before. Guess it's all in the way it's cooked.

And so, let the music begin. Half of our tour group brought musical instruments with them. Tonight, before heading to the pub to play, the musicians settled into the lobby of the hotel to entertain the other tour groups. Practice. They were a hit. Joined by Batt, we all trekked to Kelly's Cellar, a nearby pub. There was already a group playing in the bar when we arrived. Our musicians, including the Harpist, playing the "bones", joined in with the existing group and they all jammed together. This drew quite a crowd. It wasn't long before BW Babe and I had to exit the pub to get out of the heat, at which time BW Babe started chatting with two young men sitting outside. One of the men had BW really going when he told her that Scotland was Gaelic for "From Ireland". I was quietly listening to this conversation but finally interrupted, looking at the young man and aaking him, "Do you know what her (BW Babe's) real name is?" He shook his head. I answered, "Her name is Gullible." He laughed and told his friend, "She's sharp." I laughed. After that "Gullible" wouldn't believe a word he said...even when he was telling the truth.

The Harpist, Lord Douglas, BW Babe and I all headed back to our hotel for the night. When we arrived back at the hotel, we were greeted by the sweet sounds of music played by Batt's wife and a couple of the musicians in our group who had returned from the bar. Another impromptu jam session. What a wonderful end to a wonderful day. We've got any early start tomorrow. We'll be traveling and touring on our way to Derry next. Time to pack and get our bags locked and loaded.

Random Quote of the Day

Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination.

Roy M. Goodman