The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Bridie, you are probably correct. I enjoyed the Oban programme as well , but as you say they don't all work in shellfish and superquarries

Bridie,

Hard to believe after all the talk that the G8 has been and gone.

After the concern about major traffic disruption on Monday there was no real problem and everyone in work made it into the city centre.
I must admit I felt shattered and my OH gave me a lift in.
I was in work for 7.50 am which is really early for me as I usually don't leave the house till 8.30 or so.
The alarm goes off around 6.30 but I'm not really a morning person.
That particular day I had woken up at 5 so I spent most of the morning feeling like a zombie.

A lot of places like schools and some offices opened earlier than usual and some schools closed completely.

Were you able to get out and about?

Dot,
I am so proud of this wee place, politics and the general idea of the G8 aside - it was like a carnival here.
Although hardly any protesters made it down for various reasons and my usual grump being one of them ..bad transport.. MLA's pay heed! it didn't distract from the groups that did come down from making their point - forcefully and more important peacefully. As someone said on the video I'm posting here, the lack of protesters and the way they respectfully made their various points made it all the more powerful.
The police, both local and from across the water, were fantastic, they spoke to everyone in the town, they handed out coffee and water everyday to the small group of protestors who did make their way here and were so impressed with the place that they can't wait to bring their families back on holiday (we told them it doesn't have sunshine all the time)
Who knows if the £60,000,000 will be worth it, firstly to the world in general from the promises that were made in The Lough Erne G8 Summit or for the county of Fermanagh? I'm pleased to see Larne and indeed any part of Norn Iron getting investment - I'm totally against any investment in the form of Fracking in Fermanagh as an offer ( I would have marched against that if it weren't for my gammy knee) however no matter how you look at it - it's an obscene amount of money.

Video that sums up the two days down here
http://vimeo.com/68790668

Bridie,

That's a nice wee video clip you posted.

I was down Belfast City Centre on the Saturday before the G8.
I have never seen so many police and Land rovers everywhere and heard a lot of English accents.
Probably some of those sent over to help out at G8 and there was a trade union march on.
As far as I know there was no trouble and no arrests which was remarkable considering how busy it was.

Yes glad things went so well and if any tourism or jobs come out of it then it's a good thing.

So according to some poll(?) the happiest people in the UK are the N. Irish and the happiest people in N. Iron are from Fermanagh.

Don't make me laugh - they must have asked a crowd leaving the Bookies (after a win) enroute to the pub.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24650757


and the headline in one of the local papers this week;

'No Future Here' Say Young People

http://fermanaghherald.com/2013/10/no-f ... ng-people/

Bridie,

Here's hoping they find the two monkeys who managed to escape from the Zoo.

BBC news says one monkey recaptured.
Think he was in a tree and a stun gun was used but other monkey still at large.

Dot wrote:BBC news says one monkey recaptured.
Think he was in a tree and a stun gun was used but other monkey still at large.

the other monkey is probably a bit of a party animal and will stagger back on Sunday evening

Roxy the missing monkey has been found and is now back in Belfast Zoo.

I was here today. There was a tunnel which would have linked Courthouse and Gaol.
Courthouse is in bad state but did tour of Gaol.

Albert Pierrepoint hanged a few people here and believe quickest execution was seven seconds.
Nobody from Northern Ireland could hang the prisoners so the hangmen had to come from elsewhere.

http://www.crumlinroadgaol.com

Dot wrote:I was here today. There was a tunnel which would have linked Courthouse and Gaol.
Courthouse is in bad state but did tour of Gaol.

Albert Pierrepoint hanged a few people here and believe quickest execution was seven seconds.
Nobody from Northern Ireland could hang the prisoners so the hangmen had to come from elsewhere.

http://www.crumlinroadgaol.com

That looks very interesting - creepy corridors.
What other places of interest would you recommend in Belfast?

Well I believe new Titanic Building is worth a look amongst other things but think you really need to book tickets for it. I've done a walking tour of Titanic quarter where you got to see drawing office and dry dock which was quite interesting. At time I did the walk the new building was not complete.
They also have boat tours in the Lagan round the area but think that would be more a summer thing.

I would like to go on one of the open top bus tours which take you round various parts of the city and maybe the Hidden Belfast Walking Tour which runs all year except for December and January.

Haven't really done much in the way of sight seeing in recent times.

http://www.gotobelfast.com/welcome_to_b ... entre_aspx

Thanks Dot,
I must do a trip up to see some of the sights.
You know how it is down here, so bereft are we of decent sized shops that a trip up to Belfast usually means only one thing-shopping.

Bridie,

Don't forget there will be quite a few events coming up as we get closer to Christmas.

The Christmas Market in Belfast starts 16th November and continues to 22nd December.
I always like a wee look round. Some of the stuff is definitely overpriced and you can buy cheaper elsewhere. Usually a few quirky bits and pieces though and good atmosphere.

I want to have a look at St. George's Christmas Craft Fair.
Think it is on weekend of 7/8th December.

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events/Events.aspx

Some of my friends at work are going to various things at the following places.
A lot of concerts and comedy on.

http://www.linenhall.com

http://www.waterfront.co.uk

i find the street markets at christmas have no individual touch to them.all clones of each other just like the high st shops.its like a big christmas franchise going on in every city and grossly overpriced to boot,no ta very much from me