'To Belfast's Salty Waters'..................

From a fast moving stream at it's source in the Dromara Hills near my home at Slieve Croob, the River Lagan 'river of the low-lying district" is a major river here in Northern Ireland.
From Dromara it continues on a lonely and at times busy 40 miles journey to Belfast through Dromore, Donaghcloney and Lisburn before entering Belfast Lough.

Looking towards East Bridge Street and the Titanic Quarter, this shot of my trusty steed was taken near the former Gasworks site in Belfast.
Visible in the background are the famous Harland & Wolff twin shipbuilding gantry cranes (Samson and Goliath) which are situated at Queen's Island in the city.

Springtime in Belfast.

A lovely spring day in the City Centre, as 'The Raleigh' hits Belfast........

The Norman Trail (Part 1)

The arrival of the Normans in Ulster brought with it dramatic changes in the landscape of Ulster, particularly in Counties Antrim and Down.
Fortifications were soon constructed within the conquered land, along with abbeys and churches to meet the spiritual needs of the people.
County Down is particularly rich in such sites and this one, an Anglo-Norman Motte and Bailey just south of Lisburn between Legacurry and Ravernet, is a fine example.

A lot of these impressive structures were strategically placed near water and the Ravernet one is no exception sitting as it does near the local river.
This particular fortress, originally an oval earthwork dating back to the 10th-12th centuries AD was re- modelled by the Normans in the late 12th or 13th century AD with the addition of a motte and modifications to the timber palisade defences.

1961 excavations revealed parts of wooden and stone buildings in the bailey enclosure and slighter structures outside to the east.
Also found were a collared urn with a cremation burial.

What a Friend....

The Old Schoolhouse at Mullan's Corner just outside Dromore.

Situated on the A1 dual carriageway just south of Dromore, the derelict building is a well known landmark in the area. However Roads Service plans for the improvement of this particular junction have put the old schoolhouse under threat of demolition.

The building has at least one historical note of interest as it’s widely believed the poet Joseph Scriven taught at the school.

Who is Joseph Scriven I hear some of you bellow from your keyboard.

Born in nearby Banbridge in 1819, (his baptismal entry is recorded in Seapatrick Parish Church, Banbridge where his father, Captain John Scriven of the Royal Marines was Church Warden on two occasions) Joseph Scriven was described as 'one who lived the Christian life of service to his fellows'.
Tragically his fiancée accidentally drowned in 1845, the night before they were to be married and the grief-stricken young man moved to Canada.
There he again found love, but again tragedy struck as the young woman, whom Joseph was due to marry, suddenly fell ill and succumbed to pneumonia.
He then devoted the rest of his life to helping others.........

In 1855, while staying with his friend James Sackville, he received news from Ireland of his mother being terribly ill. He then wrote a poem to comfort his mother called "Pray Without Ceasing" which would later be set to music and become one of the world's best loved hymns.....
‘What a friend we have in Jesus.’

As good a reason as any for saving the old schoolhouse at Mullan's Corner.......

Turbo Man

With time restrictions this morning, I opted to do a 40 minute session on the turbo instead of hitting the road.
Now anyone who has used a turbo will know that whilst it is a good winter training aid, it can nevertheless be boredom personified.

Keeps the legs spinning and the heart pumping though, so it's not all bad.

Donard

The highest peak in Northern Ireland Slieve Donard, part of the famous Mourne Mountains as they 'sweep down to the sea'..........as the bold Percy once penned.

Nature bows to 'The Raleigh'

This tree just couldn't cope, such was the force laid down as I rode by today On the Road with 'The Raleigh'. ;-)