End of Summer Saturday

Yesterday was a busy day in Belfast.  We have spent so much time in this last week with Steve that we had missed a few things being set up.  Quiet by chance we managed to see some of the fun.  I think Belfast is getting ready for the end of summer and back to school.

Sarah, Samuel and I were rushing to the Royal Mail to pick up a parcel.  We had until 1:00 before they closed it was 12:47 so we were rushing.  When we rounded the Odyssey building we saw an area set up where something was going on.  The kids wanted to stop but time was not on our side we had to hurry on.   As we came to the Lagan Weir were we cross the Lagan river to reach town we discovered a crane set up with a zip line across the river.  Ah, we still had to hurry.  I told the kids we would hurry and try to make it back to watch.  Then as we were nearing the Royal Mail we could see in the distance and hear a marching band parade.  So much to try see.  Well I got my package then came the hard part, what to try see first???

We decided on the parade because they were moving and would be easy to miss.  They were also on our route to the library, where we had planned to stop anyway.  We caught up with the tail end of the parade.  I have never in my life heard drums played like they were playing them.  The big drums had dents in the sides from how hard they were beating them.  And the sound was like artillery fire that you hear on a movie.  Not the guns but the big mortars dropping.  It really stirred your blood.  The bands were made up of just drums and fifes.  It created a really nice sound.  I was not able to take pictures everything was to busy.  After the last band passed we continued on to the library and discovered that the parades route took them by the library.  We were able to watch it again.

They were marching for Last Saturday or Black Saturday and the bands were Protestant bands.  I guess there had been an issue in June and as a punishment they were not supposed to play in front of the St Patrick's Church as they marched past.  Every single band broke the rules and a scuffle broke out. The news is reporting that seven police officers were hurt.  That was much farther down the route from where we saw them.

We continued on to the library to get out some new books.  The best part about a permanent address is they will give you a library card.  We have enjoyed being able to take out books.  The ones we brought were getting very well read.

Back at the Lagan Weir on the walk home we were excited to see that the zip line event was still going on.  The people crossing the river were doing it to raise money for MS.  They had a very cool set up.  The victims(volunteers) were hoisted in a metal basket up to the top of the cranes reach where their harness was snapped onto the wire crossing the river.  Then it was takeoff time some people needed a bit of encouragement to let go of the cage and zip but some took of with a yell.  Girls typically screamed on their way across and the guys would holler.  On the other side of the river a series of stoppers were affixed to the cable to slow their approach to the scaffold for the dismount. 

Our hearts all went out to an older lady who was bravely doing the zip.  It took the man in the basket a while to talk her into letting go.  Everyone received a big cheer from the watching crowed when they reached the end..

end of the zip

getting hooked up

Crane hooking people up

as high as the apartments

against the cloudy sky

I called Steve and Sabrina at home and got them to come watch the fun with us.  Steve had not been out for a walk yet.  They brought me my good camera.  I should just take it with me every where.  I always miss it when I leave it home to cut down on the load I am carrying.

The event at the Odyssey parking lot was the Ultimate Strongest Man Challenge.  You had to pay to get in so with Steve not able to sit we just sneaked a peak through the fence.  These competitors are big guys and they are lifting heavy loads.  With my zoom lense I was able to get a picture of three of the competitors.  I don't think I would like to cook for them everyday.

Ultimate Strongest Man

Well it was 4:30 and it seemed like I should think about supper but the nice sunshine was beckoning.  So Sarah and I took a walk to our favorite spot, the Titanic slipways are a fun place to just walk.  We had been watching three cranes loading a ship with coal all day so I thought we would get a closer view from the slipway.  This time I took my zoom lens I knew I would need it to get some good pictures.

We walked around the Titanic Museum and saw a car show set up.  Cool, Samuel would love pictures of the cars but I only had my zoom lens I needed to stand way back to get a picture.  When will I learn?  Sarah found her future car it is so cute.

car show

it looks cute on her

this is Sarah's tiny car it only costs 6,690 pounds

cranes loading coal onto the boat