Garda Cósta na hEireann

A rescue helicopter belonging to the Irish Coastguard Service arrived in Portrush this afternoon.  This was part of a training exercise with the local Search and Rescue Service.
It landed on the tennis courts at the Recreation Grounds.
The helicopter is based at Sligo in the Irish Republic.

Happy New Year!

Ramore Head, Portrush.

Bigger than yours...?

Limavady Council area is Coleraine's neighbour to the West.

This sign is on the opposite side of the road from the Coleraine one.
Given the size of the sign, it seems there's a bit of macho posturing going on.

And, in the summer, there are flowers around the base of theirs...

Marking the Boundary

Every local council likes to mark its' territory - and Coleraine is no exception. These signs have been erected on all the main roads where you cross into the Borough.

This sign is on the A37 Coleraine - Limavady road.

La Roche sur Yon, with which Coleraine has been twinned since 1980, is a town in Western France.

Coleraine Borough Council is one of twenty-six local councils in Northern Ireland. These are the councils which were set up in 1973 when local government was reorganised.
Proposals currently exist to reduce the number to eleven.

Back...?

Perhaps I'm back.

I've a long list of excuses for my absence. And one very good reason.

My grand-daughter - three last month - takes up time at the week-end. Time I'm happy to give to her. But not a lot of spare minutes left for photography.

No photo to-day. I think there should be a few changes to the blog first.

Last of the Snow...?

This is the path which runs alongside the Bann from the town to the Cutts at Castleroe. The photo was taken on Friday afternoon.

To-day the thaw has begun. The temperature is just above freezing, sleet is falling...

Frozen

The River Bann has frozen over. A rare occurance, but to be expected after over a week with temperatures continuously well below zero.

Happy Christmas!!