Desmond, the "I love Wales" bear seems to be having a ball visiting new places. You might have seen him in earlier posts enjoying Herm (Channel Islands) and Tresco / Bryher (Scilly Islands). Well, he seems to love Norn Iron and is up to speed on all the local news too:
He has been devouring local news and culture to the extent that we need to buy bigger wheaten bread loaves than before to keep up with his appetite. The £2 bed and board that he arrived with is looking less and less like a good deal now.
We invited Keith and Julie around for dinner at the start of their 2 week yachting vacation and a good time was had:
Patrick stayed in the pilothouse and made no attempt to be sociable as is his wont recently. He also stayed put when David and Caroline came for lunch and to watch the Wimbledon finals. We tried talking to him but to no avail. Might need some parenting advice soon....
Monday 13th was the "Marching day" here - when the Orangemen have big parades with drum and flute bands to celebrate the Battle of the Boyne. It should be on the 12th but that was a Sunday. The parades seem to be a great excuse to stir up hatred between the nationalists and loyalists with lots of provocation on both sides. Watching the practice parades you realise just how far this place has to go before true "peace" breaks out. Our plan to watch one of the large events at Holywood was thwarted by NI Railways who seemed to think that ONE ticket office man working in Bangor would suffice on the public holiday when what seemed like half of the Bangor population wanted to get the train to Holywood. It was manic, we left. So, here are a few "borrowed" images to give you a flavour of what happens:
All very ceremonial and military like. Some lodges want to pass sensitive catholic areas which the parades commission have banned (yes, this semi-crazy place needs a parades commission who agree routes and dates etc), Where the loyalists want to march and are banned by the commission, the police have such a nice job:
As an example of the stupidity, they march past some catholic churches but are only allowed drum noises as they pass, no music. The policemen who walk along with the parades must not walk in step to the music in case they are branded as taking part or enjoying it. All so so sad and no end in sight to the situation either. Such a lovely country, such great people, such a sad history and such an inability to get beyond it too.
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Thanks for your ideas / cheek / corrections / whatever! They should hit the blog shortly after the system checks them to make sure they will not put us or you in jail.....