Two ships

One afloat, one sunk.  This morning we drove 2 hours to catch the ferry to Belfast.  On the way we stopped at a place with a small food stand, and more importantly, bathrooms.  It was about as ridiculously photogenic as you could wish for.  On one side of the road, green hills dotted with sheep:

On the other, the ocean and shore, with a distant island shrouded in fog:

Everything but sunshine.  

A rook came to investigate.

Back in the bus, got to the ferry.  This is a much bigger vessel than you might expect - almost a junior cruise ship.  Tour buses and 18-wheelers were driving on board.  Inside was also similar to a cruise ship, with shopping, restaurants, game rooms, movies, a spa, etc.  Two hours to Belfast.  Hard to see, but this was the best picture of her I could get.

It was already after 2 pm when we got in, so we went right to the hotel for lunch (where I confirmed that "gammon" is ham), then hopped back on the bus to get to the Titanic exhibit while our bags were taken to our rooms.  The Titanic and her sister the Olympic were built in the Belfast shipyards, and they have made the most of it.  The building is a sparkly monstrosity:

But they do a good job of explaining the lives of the shipbuilders.  Oddly, no Titanic artifacts from the wreck.  One more shot from the shipyard, of the immense crane Goliath (or maybe it's Samson?   I don't know which):

My room tonight is stylish, but tiny.  At least the shower stall has a full door - two so far have had glass walls that only cover half of the shower stall area - what is that about?  Recharging all electronics, then dinner at 8.  Last night: minestrone, penne Bolognese, and cheesecake with a regrettable quinoa crust.  Note to all restaurants and home cooks: yes, quinoa is gluten-free, but no, it is never to be used for pie crust.  

Tomorrow, on to Sligo, so not much unpacking tonight.