War Memorial

Every time I walk down Portstewart prom, past the War Memorial, I am reminded of a poem by Seamus Heaney.

The bronze soldier hitches a bronze cape
That crumples stiffly in imagined wind
No matter how the real winds buff and sweep
His sudden hunkering run, forever craned

Over Flanders. Helmet and haversack,
The gun's firm slope from butt to bayonet,
The loyal, fallen names on the embossed plaque -
It all meant little to the worried pet

I was in nineteen forty-six or seven,
Gripping my Aunt Mary by the hand
Along the Portstewart prom, then round the crescent
To thread the Castle Walk out to the strand.


Excerpt from "In Memoriam Francis Ledwidge..." Published in "Field Work" in 1979.

Another Sunset

I'm a bit of a sucker for sunsets.

This one was taken yesterday evening from the Promenade at Portstewart. The sun is setting over the Atlantic Ocean, with the headlands of Co Donegal on the left and Portstewart Harbour wall on the right.

Sea Mist

We've had warm, sunny weather through most of June. A change is forecast now, with heavy rain expected over the next few days.

The photo was taken this afternoon at Gortmore viewing point, high above Magilligan - which is west along the coast from Castlerock. A thick mist is flooding in from the sea.
Gortmore is perched on the edge of a cliff, about 900 feet above sea level, with spectacular views of the local countryside.