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Yesterday I got my wish. I went to the beach.
This has been going on for a good few weeks now - months even - a desire to see other parts of Northern Ireland. Partly the fault of Flickr, particularly the NI group where there are often great photographs by photographers (or people with cameras?) in other parts of the country, rather than just Belfast where I know. Having said that, the Belfast group is always filled with pictures of parts of Belfast I have never been to, or what is often the case, just wouldn’t go to.
So anyway - wanting to see other parts of NI is all well and good. But where, and how do I get there. So far I have thought of Carrickfergus and it’s castle. I haven’t been to Portstewart in 2 or more years, I will try and get up there over the summer, along with Portrush and Coleraine. I don’t really want to go back to Derry for a while - except to take a picture of the Seagate Technology facility, more to the point, the street name sign 1 Disc Dr. Yes, that’s what it says Disc Drive!
With all the great weather we’ve been having lately it suddenly occurred to me that the last time I was at the beach was in Rhode Island, in the US of A in the summer of 2005. As usual, thinking it was a great idea and that everyone else would surely agree with me and be queuing up to join me on my mini adventure. But, as usual, I was very wrong. A few laughs, a few ‘I’m busy staying in watching dvd/tv/doing something else. So I went on my own. This doesn’t bother me. I just can’t understand why anyone would say no.
The day came. I had been looking forward to it all week. Finally it was here. With a slight taste of alcohol on my breath from the night before, I got up showed and got the train at 13:20 from Botanic Station. I haven’t even been on a train in Northern Ireland in over 2 years, I wasn’t even sure what to do. Thankfully someone else went to the train before me and knew to push the button to open the door; they don’t all open here when the bus stops.
I took photos all along the way, as if I had never seen trees before, and everything else that passes the train on the way to Helen’s Bay; my chosen sandy destination.
Once I arrived I didn’t quite know where to go. So I went left, soon passing a sign that said “Welcome to Helen’s Bay”. I had left the town, but then just ahead was a sign that read “Crawfordsburn Country Park”. I knew there was a beach somewhere in here.
Eventually after walking around the woodland I found the sea and sand. I ran and jumped in the sand, getting much in my shoes.
After walking around for a few hours, getting sand in every orifice, I was tired and hungry. It was time to go home. Though I felt very satisfied.
Now to decide where to go next. I have a train timetable. It shall be put to good use.
On a lighter note… I notice this every day as I walk along the Lisburn Road. I kinda laugh.
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