Category: General

Sunny Saturday

Funday, Botanic Gardens
Belfast on a sunny day 13.05.23. Free Fun Day with Bollywood dancing, arts and crafts. In support of Belfast Asian Women’s Academy, one of the Lord Mayor’s charities

Walking around Belfast on a sunny Saturday (yesterday) produced these images. I had walked up towards Queens University and Botanic Gardens and found a free Fun Day in progress at the Gardens. There was Bollywood dancing, arts and crafts and a guy with a bubble machine

Palm House, Botanic Gardens
Palm House, Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens, colourful as always.

Buildings, Bedford Street
Belfast Buildings, Bedford Street

I posted a photograph a short time ago of The Grand Central Hotel in Bedford Street taken with my iPhone. This is another one taken just a bit further up the street.

Writers' Square looking towards St. Annes Cathedral
Writers’ Square looking towards St. Anne’s Cathedral

This image of Writers’ Square, again taken with the wide angle lens on my phone.

I’ve found my phone is fine for grabbing quick images and they look good, very good even, on the small screen. When moved onto the computer with a large screen however they don’t look quite so good. Having said that, I’m fairly sure these images would meet the quality standard required for many uses.

A Popular President

Walking on Botanic Avenue on Saturday past I found I had joined a crowd of people outside the No Alibis Bookstore. I’d been looking at a sports car on the other side of the street and hadn’t been aware of the crowd until I was surrounded by people. Thinking it must be a book signing I asked some girls what was happening, then I noticed the Secret Service guys standing around trying to look comfortable in casual clothes. “Bill Clinton is in the bookshop” the girls said – and he was.

When President Clinton (do we still call him President?) emerged from the shop he effortlessly engaged with people in the crowd, striking up conversations and exchanging pleasantries. Strolling along the street, he continued to interact with people, even pausing to take selfies when asked and giving time to anyone who approached him. It was evident that he was well-liked by the local people, and he appeared at ease, relishing the laid-back atmosphere and warm reception. He continued in this way talking happily to people, until the crowd thinned and he was able to move on.

When I drove into town that morning I didn’t expect to see a former President walking casually about on Botanic Avenue. I told my wife and she asked me if I’d spoken to him. I hadn’t – I’d been too busy taking photographs!

President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast
President Bill Clinton, Belfast

Contrasting Eras

Ewart Building, Bedford Street

Ewart’s Mill or the Ewart Building, once a Victorian linen warehouse in Bedford Street, has been redeveloped at a cost of £85m. Now a modern office building it is connected, at the first and second floors, to a new 17-story office complex. I take it this is the modern looking building behind.

The building to the right is the luxury Grand Central Hotel, formerly Windsor House. It was originally an office block and at one time the tallest building in the city.

The Europa Hotel can just be seen in the gap between the buildings. It opened in 1971.

Bright Buoys

Belfast Buoys with Titanic Belfast in the distance

In December last year I posted a photograph of the Belfast Buoys in their original location in Cathedral Gardens.

This is a photograph of the buoys, looking bright and well presented, at their new home in Titanic Quarter. It was taken in October 2020.