Day 8

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September 7, 2019

BELFAST - Have you seen the TV program, "Secrets of the National Trust"? It allows viewers to visit The National Trust's historic buildings, estates, gardens and coastlines, which span the entire UK. The episode about Mount Stewart was so impressive that Karen and I subscribed to visit the mansion via the offered excursion. But the tour was cancelled due to insufficient interest. Spit happens.  
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/features/secrets-of-the-national-trust-visits-mount-stewart

 The fallback position was a bus tour of Belfast itself. So-so. Not surprisingly, we learned from our guide about "The Troubles" (1969 to 1998). We traveled down Shankill Road where smoldering hate and bigotry is evident by the political messages on huge wall posters and the flying of illegal Ulster Defense League flags in this part of town. There are 26 miles of 25 foot tall fences separating neighbourhoods. There is a building covered by a UDL message - "Prepare for Peace.......Be Ready to Fight".  It was all rather offputting. Seems the matter might not be quite settled yet. These graffiti are widespread:
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/belfast+graffiti

 Liam Clancy describes how it was:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQBW6UQa8Fc

 Near the docks is a vast building where the indoor scenes of The Game of Thrones was filmed. Next door is the Titanic Museum - the Titanic was built here.

 Incidentally, last night we were invited with four other couples to the Captain's Table for dinner. We learned that there are 53 passengers who are on The Ultimate Viking World Cruise  (London - London) as well as an unspecified number who are on The Viking World Treasures Cruise (London - Los Angeles). The Captain advises that as the trip progresses we will be dining with all the other Ultimates.




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