A train and a bridge

Looked like another pretty damp day, so we decided a train journey was in order. According to Michael Palin, the Coleraine/Derry train journey is one of the best in the world and so off we set to try it out. Starting from Coleraine, which is only a few miles from us, we bought our return tickets. We were not able to use our Rail Cards, but were told that if we waited until 9.25 to buy our tickets we would get a third off anyway . . . ! So we did.

Obviously it would have been better to have been taking this journey on a lovely sunny day, instead of a gloomy, grey day, but it is quite spectacular despite that. The train runs alongside strands of golden sands, huge estuaries with masses of birds and rivers with boats of all kinds. The arrival into Derry right by the river is wonderful. Then there is a bus to take you into the centre - brilliant. 

We explored the magnificent Guildhall with its range of fine stained glass windows and huge piped organ. Then we went to the Peace Bridge which is close by. Built as a pedestrian and cycle bridge, it spans the River Foyle, linking the Protestant Waterside with the Nationalist Bogside in a symbolic handshake. It is elegant and impressive as it curves across. Apparently it is never empty and has changed lives. It is certainly special and one of the few bridges where the wonder of it has more impact as one walks on it - see extra. 


(And if anyone is thinking it looks vaguely familiar they might like to know that it was designed by the same architects who designed the Millennium Bridge, Gateshead.)

Then we did the journey by bus and train in reverse and arrived back in Coleraine.