Time Change

I said I was going to stay away from Coleraine for a few days, but then I remembered that the clocks go forward an hour to-night.
British Summer Time is about to begin.


To celebrate, I went to the Guy L Wilson Daffodil Garden in the grounds of the University of Ulster.
The strong winds of the last few days have done some damage, but the flowers aren't all in bloom yet.
I should get some more photos over the next week or so.

East Strand, Portrush

A view of part of the East Strand at Portrush, which was quite busy yesterday.

This beach - also known as Curran Strand - stretches for about two miles (or around 4km) from Portrush to the White Rocks. The beach curves around Curran Point - in the middle distance on the right of the photo.
The area is popular for activities like surfing and bodyboarding.

It's a bracing and enjoyable walk to the White Rocks. We didn't walk it yesterday because we had our seven month old grand-daughter with us. We kept the buggy on hard surfaces.

Graffiti

By taking the lower path in yesterday's photo, I find myself going under Sandelford Bridge.
Which takes me out of Christie Park, into another of Coleraine's parks.

And, as you can see on the bridge, even a stretch of water can't stop a determined graffiti artist!

Weir

What was hidden behind yesterday's gull?
The Salmon Leap at the Cutts on the river Bann. This rocky outcrop forms a natural weir across the river.
Salmon must negotiate this hurdle when they are returning from the ocean, to spawn in the rivers of their birth.

The weir is about a mile upstream from Coleraine. The river is tidal from the Atlantic Ocean up to this point - a distance of just over 5 miles, or around 9 kilometres.

Gull

This gull got in the way of the picture I was planning to take, so it gets to appear first. You'll see the other photo to-morrow.

Like the last couple of photos, this one was taken with my new camera.
A week ago, Saturday, I was cursing the limitations of my little Nikon. My wife suggested I up-grade...never one to miss an opportunity, by that afternoon I had another camera.
It's a Canon PowerShot SX110IS.

Of course, on Monday when my computer died, I regretted my impulse purchase.
Well, I regretted it for at least ten seconds!!

Church

This shot - taken in rather a hurry - is of the interior of Holy Trinity, Church of Ireland, church in Main Street, Portrush.

My grand-daughter was christened here to-day, so it's been a busy week-end.

History Lesson

Centuries ago the island of Ireland was divided into units called counties. The number eventually settled at 32.
In 1921, when Ireland was divided, 26 of these counties formed what ultimately became the Republic of Ireland. The remaining 6 became Northern Ireland.
Those six are Antrim, Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone and one with a name subject to dispute.

Back in 1585 the area between the River Bann and the River Foyle became a county. This area was to be administered from the town of Coleraine and was called Co. Coleraine.
In 1613, however, changes were made and the county was renamed. It became Co. Londonderry and the walled city of Londonderry was established on the west bank of the River Foyle. This new city took over from Coleraine as the county town.

It is the name "Londonderry" which is disputed.
The name used for the city or county often depends on the religious and/or political persuasion of the speaker.
Because Londonderry was the name given by an English government, it's commonly used by Protestants, who also tend to be Unionist in their politics.
Roman Catholics, on the other hand, almost invariably use the name "Derry". Politically they are usually Nationalists or Republicans. The more extreme Republicans want the name to revert to the original Irish, "Doire".
Despite the arguments, Londonderry remains the official name.

As for me? Well, regardless of politics or religion, I was born - and have lived almost all of my life - in Co. Derry.
In this blog I'll always refer to Derry...