May 23rd Belfast

 May 23^rd Belfast, United Kingdom

New trip booked and on waiting list for something even better.  Fingers crossed someone backs out…. no one backed out so we are off to see a castle today.

We are docked today so no trying to time the waves to get on and off the tenders.

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

 Hillsborough Castle, residence of the British Royal Family.  We had a guided visit to the late-18th century castle.  The house was wonderful and we got to meet the Governor General for Northern Ireland who was walking through at the time, it is his house so seemed normal to him.  We also got to see the replica of the crown that was used in the show the Crown, no we could not put it on.  The house was opened just for our group so it was peaceful to walk the gardens.  We said we could have spent much longer there but so goes a tour.

Back on the bus we drove around Belfast and got some history, I was very glad they took us along part of the Peace Wall so we could see the murals depicting the struggles between to two parts of Belfast.

Bob and I got off the bus at city hall to wander around a bit on our own, only one other couple got off and the rest of the group went back to the ship. There is s shuttle that brings you right back to the boat that runs all day so it was simple to get a break from the structure of the tours.  Wonderful alley ways and shops and yes we stopped for a drink.

Then did a tour of the city hall, I must say it was over the top with lavish work all over.  Outside they were getting ready for a festival since this weekend is a bank holiday so long weekend.

Found our bus easily and made it back to the ship with time for a quiet break before a pre dinner talk about coming events, and maybe a drink.