A significant matter has just been brought to my attention this morning, which concerns people living and working in the Earldom.
The Tesco store at numbers 1 to 3, Belmont Road in Strandtown, Belfast, is to close down on the 31st December, 2009. It may, or may not, re-open in eighteen months' time. I phoned the store today and this news has been confirmed.
Eighteen months seems a long time for a small supermarket to be closed to me; indeed it dismays me. We do use this store occasionally.
So it would seem that the future of the store, and its staff, is uncertain.
If any readers have any more information about this, please do let me know.
I believe that the site at 1-3, Belmont Road, was a national school 100 years ago. It eventually became the premises of Buckley Brothers, hardware merchants; followed by a Stewart's Supermarket.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
At Horse Island
I'm just back from a sixty-length swim up at the old school, having whacked a pizza in the oven earlier.
I spent all day, with five other volunteers, at National Trust land beside Horse Island, near Kircubbin on the Ards Peninsula.
We are making satisfactory progress. This is quite a large plot of land, and the perimeter is overgrown with gorse, briar, ivy and other undergrowth. The perimeter will soon be ready for the new fencing.
The Property Manager turned up at lunch-time with a camera-man. The Trust is making a short film about volunteering in Northern Ireland which, seemingly, will be sold in their local shops. The camera-man filmed us during the afternoon; and then conducted short, two-minute interviews with us all!
On my way home towards Belfast, there was a police speed unit consisting of two policemen, one pointing a speed gun at the traffic as it drove down the steep hill on the dual carriageway towards Dundonald; the spot where the 70mph speed limit drops suddenly to 40mph. I was reducing my speed at this point. They didn't flag me down so, presumably, I was OK.
I spent all day, with five other volunteers, at National Trust land beside Horse Island, near Kircubbin on the Ards Peninsula.
We are making satisfactory progress. This is quite a large plot of land, and the perimeter is overgrown with gorse, briar, ivy and other undergrowth. The perimeter will soon be ready for the new fencing.
The Property Manager turned up at lunch-time with a camera-man. The Trust is making a short film about volunteering in Northern Ireland which, seemingly, will be sold in their local shops. The camera-man filmed us during the afternoon; and then conducted short, two-minute interviews with us all!
On my way home towards Belfast, there was a police speed unit consisting of two policemen, one pointing a speed gun at the traffic as it drove down the steep hill on the dual carriageway towards Dundonald; the spot where the 70mph speed limit drops suddenly to 40mph. I was reducing my speed at this point. They didn't flag me down so, presumably, I was OK.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Morning at the Museum
I've been seeking a black silk tie with minuscule scattered white spots for some time now. These sorts of ties were in evidence last night on the telly, the actors playing Churchill and several members of his war Cabinet sporting similar ones; though I've been looking out for one since long before that.
I finally found one at T M Lewin's shop in Howard Street, Belfast.
Thence I motored in a southerly direction, up Bedford Street, Dublin Road and University Road to my destination, the Ulster Museum.
Readers from Northern Ireland shall know that the Museum has been closed for several years due to major refurbishment.
On this occasion, I stayed for about an hour, sufficient time to get a flavour of the new Museum. It must be said that its transformation is a great improvement, despite my being slightly disappointed that there were no "old master" paintings on display - and there shan't be for another three months.
I viewed some of the most notable items on display, viz. the insignia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick which, in this case, once belonged to the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury; and the Toilet Service commissioned for the 19th Earl of Kildare (whose son became the 1st Duke of Leinster). Doubtless the newly-created Duke would have commissioned a new toilet service, as befitted His Grace's rank, with a ducal coronet on the silverware.
Sadly the mantle (below) and sash riband of the Order were not on display, though they can be seen on my blog!
The taxidermic bird collection is very good indeed.
I lunched at the new Girona Restaurant on the ground floor. To my mind it is more akin to a self-service café; though I am sure it compares well with its peers in many other provincial museums. Simply do not have high expectations and you shan't be terribly disappointed.
There was a short queue today at midday, so I waited for about ten minutes. The audible "pop music" being played did not agree with my ears! The staff all seem to be mostly anxious to please and
reasonably diligent. I gave my order at the counter: breast of chicken, with small "roast" potatoes, carrot and turnip batons and some kind of sauce. I also ordered the citrus tart with double cream; with a pot of tea.
I told the cashier that I had ordered the citrus tart, which the chef advised he'd bring to my table later. The bill came to £8.70. Bearing in mind that the chicken was £7.50, I suspect that they omitted to charge me for the pudding which was, incidentally, quite good.
The chicken meal was perfectly acceptable. The potatoes were certainly in their "jackets", though didn't seem roasted to me. I'd get a similar result if I boiled them or cooked them in a microwave oven. The chicken breast was large, the number of little potatoes generous.
My main gripe was the temperature of the meal. By the time I sat down to eat it, it was lukewarm; and half-way through, it became cool. Believe me, I am not fussy about piping-hot food, so heaven knows what a fuss-pot would have done - taken it back for a "blitzing" in the microwave, presumably.
They had a very good display of scones, muffins and pastries, by the way.
I expect I'll revisit the Museum in three months' time, when the "old master" painting collection returns.
I finally found one at T M Lewin's shop in Howard Street, Belfast.
Thence I motored in a southerly direction, up Bedford Street, Dublin Road and University Road to my destination, the Ulster Museum.
Readers from Northern Ireland shall know that the Museum has been closed for several years due to major refurbishment.
On this occasion, I stayed for about an hour, sufficient time to get a flavour of the new Museum. It must be said that its transformation is a great improvement, despite my being slightly disappointed that there were no "old master" paintings on display - and there shan't be for another three months.
I viewed some of the most notable items on display, viz. the insignia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick which, in this case, once belonged to the 9th Earl of Shaftesbury; and the Toilet Service commissioned for the 19th Earl of Kildare (whose son became the 1st Duke of Leinster). Doubtless the newly-created Duke would have commissioned a new toilet service, as befitted His Grace's rank, with a ducal coronet on the silverware.
Sadly the mantle (below) and sash riband of the Order were not on display, though they can be seen on my blog!
The taxidermic bird collection is very good indeed.
I lunched at the new Girona Restaurant on the ground floor. To my mind it is more akin to a self-service café; though I am sure it compares well with its peers in many other provincial museums. Simply do not have high expectations and you shan't be terribly disappointed.
There was a short queue today at midday, so I waited for about ten minutes. The audible "pop music" being played did not agree with my ears! The staff all seem to be mostly anxious to please and
reasonably diligent. I gave my order at the counter: breast of chicken, with small "roast" potatoes, carrot and turnip batons and some kind of sauce. I also ordered the citrus tart with double cream; with a pot of tea.I told the cashier that I had ordered the citrus tart, which the chef advised he'd bring to my table later. The bill came to £8.70. Bearing in mind that the chicken was £7.50, I suspect that they omitted to charge me for the pudding which was, incidentally, quite good.
The chicken meal was perfectly acceptable. The potatoes were certainly in their "jackets", though didn't seem roasted to me. I'd get a similar result if I boiled them or cooked them in a microwave oven. The chicken breast was large, the number of little potatoes generous.
My main gripe was the temperature of the meal. By the time I sat down to eat it, it was lukewarm; and half-way through, it became cool. Believe me, I am not fussy about piping-hot food, so heaven knows what a fuss-pot would have done - taken it back for a "blitzing" in the microwave, presumably.
They had a very good display of scones, muffins and pastries, by the way.
I expect I'll revisit the Museum in three months' time, when the "old master" painting collection returns.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Sorry, Greenfinches
When I returned from my two-week vacation, I noticed that the bird-feeder containing sunflower hearts was still full and untouched. Most curious; nevertheless, I replenished the other feeders.
One week later, the same feeder was still full. This I could not fathom. Why wouldn't they eat the seeds?
Fool, Belmont. I scrutinized the feeder and, to my surprise, saw immediately what I had done: I had filled the nyger seed feeder with the bigger sunflower hearts, which meant that it was practically impossible for the birds to remove them! I had filled the nyger feeder with the wrong seeds.
Still, all's well that ends well. The sunflower seeds are particularly favoured by tits and greenfinches; so hopefully the news shall spread about my silly little error!
One week later, the same feeder was still full. This I could not fathom. Why wouldn't they eat the seeds?
Fool, Belmont. I scrutinized the feeder and, to my surprise, saw immediately what I had done: I had filled the nyger seed feeder with the bigger sunflower hearts, which meant that it was practically impossible for the birds to remove them! I had filled the nyger feeder with the wrong seeds.
Still, all's well that ends well. The sunflower seeds are particularly favoured by tits and greenfinches; so hopefully the news shall spread about my silly little error!
The Canadian Wilderness
I've been avidly watching Ray Mears' Northern Wilderness since it began on BBC HD a week ago. To my mind, anything associated with him promises to be very good indeed; and his epic Canadian adventure trail re-affirms this.
This series is superb. It encapsulates a measure of what the Corporation excels at; so much so that, every time I watch the programme, I wish I were there!
We, in Ulster, have maintained close ties with Canada. Heaven knows how many unknown cousins, several generations removed, are living there today.
The 2nd Earl of Gosford became Governor-General of the Canadas in 1835, during the reign of HM King William IV.
The 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava (then Earl of Dufferin) was appointed the 3rd Governor-General of Canada in 1872 by HM Queen Victoria. There is a memorial to the 1st Marquess in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.
TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall leave today for an official visit to Canada. The trip ends on the 12th November, two days prior to Prince Charles's birthday on the 14th. This will be the Duchess of Cornwall's first visit to Canada.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Thank You, Sainsbury
Whilst at the check-out of Sainsbury's store at Holywood Exchange yesterday afternoon, I accidentally dropped a large tub of their Greek-style yoghurt with honey. I had been slightly distracted by a brace of charity "bag-packers" standing beside me, offering to pack the groceries.
The tub in question dropped to the floor, beside my shoe, split open; and the contents splattered everywhere, including the top of my shoe!
The staff at Sainsbury's were most helpful. The check-out assistant alerted another member of staff, who cleared up the mess immediately; I was given some tissues for my clothing; and another tub of yoghurt was purveyed to me forthwith.
I checked the bill at home and was not charged for the breakage.
I reckon that was jolly good service on their part, don't you?
The tub in question dropped to the floor, beside my shoe, split open; and the contents splattered everywhere, including the top of my shoe!
The staff at Sainsbury's were most helpful. The check-out assistant alerted another member of staff, who cleared up the mess immediately; I was given some tissues for my clothing; and another tub of yoghurt was purveyed to me forthwith.
I checked the bill at home and was not charged for the breakage.
I reckon that was jolly good service on their part, don't you?
Stonebridge
I look forward to visiting the newly renovated Ulster Museum shortly. It re-opened while I was abroad.
This article by the museum has caught my eye: Their new Girona Restaurant has served 8,500 meals in the first week. Have any readers eaten there yet?
The contract for the new restaurant was granted to the Stonebridge Group, based in County Armagh.
This article by the museum has caught my eye: Their new Girona Restaurant has served 8,500 meals in the first week. Have any readers eaten there yet?
The contract for the new restaurant was granted to the Stonebridge Group, based in County Armagh.
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