The morning after mum died I woke early. Decided to take Janene on a tour of the 'old home town' from my perspective and memories of the place, rather than getting on a tour bus. Too sterile. I've been away about 20 years in total which is so difficult to believe sometimes! I'm lucky though that I've been able to get back every 2 or 3 years and the changes to Belfast have seemed to happen gradually. Dramatic though. All for the good!
No route was planned out, the whole drive was instinctive, almost on autopilot, and looking at the photos later it was interesting to see where my head was at. Probably 'up your arse' as the lovely Terry (our host and my best mate for many years) would say often.

TERRY PRETENDING TO READ

I headed for the 'Newton' or Newtownards Road which is where I was born and grew up in the early 60's. Working class, Harland and Wolff shipyard country. Found our old street where the first house we had lived in was, though the old houses are gone replaced by modern red brick. Down Dee Street and our first close look at the 2 big yellow cranes that dominate the East Belfast sky line, Samson and Goliath.

After getting told off by another security guard (see Janene's post re Heathrow airport arrival) about taking photos, we finally found a good vantage point to take a couple of pictures.

From there we headed through the city, up the Crumlin Road, out towards the International Airport then back again via Ballysillan and the Shankill Road. Saw a few of the colourful murals reflecting the Troubles from the late 60's to mid 90's.

Must be a throwback to living here in the early days, but I seemed to spend a wee bit longer taking photos on the protestant Shankill Road than on the catholic Falls Road, Janene's camera had a fast shutter speed but not fast enough. No offence intended to anyone, it was all psychological combined with a lead foot at the approriate time.

It was good to see the artistic side being used for something more positive when we came across this mural of the legend, Geordie Best. For those of you who never knew him or saw him play, go and gt a DVD or archive footage. This man was the greatest to ever kick a football.