The Troubles - Belfast 2008

On Saturday morning we had a black taxi tour of the troubles of Northern Ireland as they pertained to Belfast. How convenient to be taken around in a black cab! It was a very surreal experience for me and I am not sure that I have fully digested the things that I saw and felt. I have to admit that I come from an English Protestant and Italian Roman Catholic background. It is impossible for me to say who is right. I only know that this is horrible and that it not over yet. Where is the solution? It is going to take some very brilliant and good people to solve what has been going on for centuries in Ulster.

We began our tour on a Protestant Estate. I was astounded to find huge murals painted on the end of just about every block of flats. The murals come and go and our guide wasnt sure who was in charge of the decisions. Some paid tribute to those who died in the troubles, some told the history of the protestants coming to Northern Ireland and one was even hopeful for a solution.

Next we moved onto the gates and the wall. I have to admit I had no idea that there was a wall or that there were gates that separated the two groups! It was a shock! It being Easter weekend and a Saturday many of the gates were closed. We stopped by the Bombay Road wall to have a closer look. It was thirty feet high and had put in a place where the Protestants had burned down the road to make a buffer zone between them and the Catholics. People leave messages on the wall. I didn't know what to say and didn't think it would make a difference anyway.
The Clonard Memorial honours civilian casualties from the Greater Clonard area. Deceased Republican prisoners from the Greater Clonard area 1916-1970. What really struck me here was the metal fencing homeowners put up in their back gardens to protect themselves from the petrol bombs still being thrown over the fence.

The Catholics were not without their own murals. We stopped by to look at one to the men who died while on hunger strike in prison.

The offices of Sinn Fein was one of the last places I thought I would ever be standing in my life time but I was shopping inside! Something seemed very wrong about this. I did buy some literature for an Irish-American catholic friend back home in Buffalo. I had been in many a pub in Buffalo with her that had a jar on the bar for Belfast Summer Relief on it!The last stop on the tour was the International Wall. It almost seemed like an afterthought! Here were murals of struggles going on in other parts of the world. The one of George Bush sucking oil through a straw was striking.

The ironic thing about this day was that right after the tour we headed to the Bushmill Distillery. I know I needed a drink! How easy it is for me to leave it all behind! This will be with me for a bit while I sort out my own troubles about The Troubles.

Super Tuesday

Yes, the day has finally arrived. It is Super Tuesday. 24 states will hold primaries or caucuses today, with 52 percent of all pledged Democratic Party delegates and 41 percent of the total Republican Party delegates at stake. Big Numbers

I have already voted in the Florida primary and I wonder for what purpose? It remains unclear whether the democratic delegates will be seated at the National convention. As I have said many many many times before if you don't vote, you dont get to complain. I urge friends and family to get out there and participate today. Your voice is important.

The National Motor Car Museum!

The National Motor Car Museum! What excitement! What a guy day! This past Sunday Jeff and I motored down to Beaulieu (in the New Forest) and you guessed it – visited Beaulieu and The National Motor Car Museum. What I am truly thinking, I can’t publish! All in all it was a nice day. The weather was not too oppressive and we got to see Beth and Robin at the end of the day, so all was not lost!

At any rate, Jeff will probably like to see a few pictures on this blog so here you have it! There were a lot of cars there (over 250 spanning the earliest to the latest!) and I couldn’t tell you what most of them were, so you just have to visit on your own. I guess my favourite (because I recognized it!) was the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car from the film. It always surprises me that Ian Fleming of James Bond fame wrote this story.

Also on hand was a De Loren of Back to the Future fame (though it was not the car used in the film!). Jeff was excited to see some red truck used in a Top Gear challenge to get to the North Pole. OK!

Beaulieu had other things to offer, like a house, an abbey and some rides. We hopped aboard a cute little green monorail for a quick spin around the property had a cup of tea and of course had a look at the gift shop.

I am now relieved that we have done a “guy trip” as payback for all those house and garden tours we have done over the years!

Joan and the Lake

While visiting with his parents in Buffalo this past September, Jeff and I had the opportunity to go to the theatre in the postcard pretty town of Niagara on the Lake, Canada. It is about an hours drive from Buffalo. Felt funny having to bring your passport to get into Canada but these are different times. On a lovely September evening we attended The Shaw Festival production of Saint Joan. Light hearted fare it was not but very very well done. I really enjoyed it and what a great theatre!

Prior to curtain up we walked around NOTL a bit (Niagara On The Lake- to those in the know!) and then had an interesting do- it- yourself dinner at The Tetley. We each ordered a selection of meats to cook on individual hot polished stones. The raw meats were then brought to our table with a selection of dipping sauces which we cooked ourselves on our little stones, (with potatoes and veggies that we didn’t have to thankfully also cook). I am normally not a fan of meals where I have to do the work (I like my clams out of the shells on my pasta, thank you very much!) but this was fun and felt vaguely healthy. We skipped the fondue dessert. I guess we were exhausted by then! It was definitely a different type of meal. Still we didn't have to do the dishes! It was then onto the theatre.....

Saint Joan, was written in 1923, by George Bernard Shaw shortly after the Roman Catholic Church canonized Joan of Arc. The play is based on what is known of her life and is the personification of the tragic heroine. A very tough part to play and many have failed. Succeed with this one and you can call your self a real actress. Tara Rosling as Joan did a fine job with the role and I think Jeff managed to stay awake most of the time. Poor guy, he has to sleep when he can! I won't even mention the passport mix up story.....

Grounds for Sculpture

While visiting Staten Island, I went to lunch and had an art outing in NJ. Scoff as you may at the thought of there being culture in NJ - it does exist. The old NJ State Fairgrounds has done something very unique with its old buildings and landscaping.They made it into an art center. Opening in 1992, the Grounds for Sculpture occupies about thirty-five acres of land providing a beautiful setting for art. Who knew? After a very nice lunch in Rats restaurant with Aunt Fran, Uncle Joe, my cousin Linda and her energetic daughter Kate (whom I absolutely adore!) we strolled through the grounds on a very warm summer afternoon. What a fabulous place. If you are ever near Hamilton,NJ you must go. The grounds are immaculately manicured and the art varied. There is something for everyone.

Sweet Deanna

One of the main reasons for my trip to the US was to attend a Sweet 16 party for someone I am especially fond of; my cousin Denise’s daughter Deanna. Dee is one of the nicest kids you would ever want to meet. Not only is she sweet, beautiful, funny and very genuine: she is an excellent dancer and knows how to pose for a picture. When I am in NYC I never miss a chance to visit the A family. They always make me feel welcome and it is always great to be with them, (Thanks to Ebby who gives up her bed for me!)
Deanna, sister Ebby along with their mom visited my home in London this past summer and we went on to have a blast in Ireland (more on this later!). While in Ireland, Deanna taught us the Chicken Noodle Soup dance, a feat I got to repeat at the party ( I should have practiced more!)

A lovely hall in Brooklyn, my cousin Denise and her husband Donald put on an excellent party with a Mardi Gras theme. Deanna looked princess like in her dress and tiara. Jeff and I were honored when we were asked to light one of the candles on her birthday cake.The food and music was terrific but the best part was the in-gathering of family members. It was great to share memories and laugh again with cousins Bruce, Cindy and George. It was a night that went by much too quickly.

George, Bruce & Jeff

George and Terry

Brother & Sister: Uncle Austin & Aunt Rose

Uncle Austin, Bruce & Aunt Ro!