After seeing an advertisement for Dodds Of Troon on the same page as our Herald feature a couple of weeks ago, the club decided to take advantage of their day trip to Belfast. Seven keen club members (plus one husband!) signed up for the coach and ferry trip. On a rather cloudy Saturday morning we all clambered aboard the Dodds coach at the various pick-up points between Irvine and Troon.
Straight away there was a great feeling the club being on tour with some predictable banter and lots of good chat which really helped pass the time as the coach made its way down to Cairnryan. Our driver Louie and his assistant Terry kept us entertained, as well as being very precise with the collection times and the consequences of not being on time!
Despite the rather grey and wet weather the crossing was smooth and enjoyable. With plenty of coffee and bacon rolls consumed we were all set for our afternoon in Belfast. Louie dropped off the camera club contingent off at the Titanic Quarter and we spend an enjoyable hour or so taking photos of the impressive architecture, contrasting it with the original drawing office buildings. We then wandered along the banks of the Lagan and crossed the weir bridge towards the bustling town centre. Our treasurer, Colin Houston, was our Belfast tour guide and his insider knowledge helped us navigate the streets and find some interesting characters and scenes to photograph as we explored.
The weather wasn’t brilliant but the rain added some atmosphere to the place, making the streets glisten and reflect the light. With our memory cards packed with photos documenting our trip, the architecture and the people of Belfast, Colin suggested we make a quick pit stop at the Crown Liquor Saloon for a libation before we headed back to Louie and Terry who were waiting for as at City Halls. Refreshed and armed with even more authentic images of old Belfast town we boarded the coach before being delivered safely back on to the ferry home. Plenty more chat was had on the long trip back discussing what was agreed by everyone to be a very successful club day out. We will definitely be planning more excursions like this in the future. I hope you enjoy the photographs we captured of Belfast on a wet Saturday afternoon and that you see something of the city beyond the usual tourist snap shots.
Irvine Camera Club have a busy schedule of photo walks and trips planned for the summer. All the details are available at our website www.irvinecc.co.uk – you are welcome to come along on any of them, whatever your photographic experience, we would love to see you!
Until next week, enjoy the light!
