Sunny Belfast

I pretty much had the day off, today. I went for a run after I'd seen Dan and Abi off to school: out through Kearstwick and Low Moorgate, up Hophouse Lane and over the A65, and then up to Hutton Roof. It's a bit of a climb up there but I'm doing well with my running at the moment and it was no problem. I ran through the hamlet to the woodyard and then back down home. 

Then I pottered about for a bit, tidying the house and packing, while doing a bit of email and a couple of calls, and then I headed down to Chorley to pick up the Minx before we drove down to John Lennon Airport to fly over to Belfast. The flight wasn't until after four o'clock, so it was nearly five when we landed. 

It was gloriously sunny in Belfast and we enjoyed the bus ride from the airport to our hotel. To be honest, I was a little nervous about coming. When I was young and first taking an interest in current affairs, Belfast was often in the news, the apparent epicentre of the Troubles. Of course, that all changed with the Good Friday Agreement but I guess I had lingering associations that manifested themselves today.

Only to be dispensed, I have to say, by the brief walk we took around once we'd checked in. Reminiscent of Manchester and Glasgow, and perhaps with a bit of Newcastle thrown in, it was busy Friday evening in what appears to be a thriving town. We were too hungry to spend much time exploring, though, and took a table at the Nu Delhi for an excellent Indian meal.

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-11.2 kgs
Reading: 'How Art Made Pop And Pop Became Art' by Mike Roberts