It was doubly vexing on Friday when, having belatedly remembered that I hadn't checked in for my flight, I discovered that I couldn't! The website didn't seem to recognise my reference number - not that it's especially easy to tell what that is, from the information that Expedia gives. (I also booked this with them, but separately.) A phone call to FlyBe confirmed that yes, I was booked with them. Mind you, she didn't seem to be able to make sense of my reference number either! Had to ask for the ticket number.
I left in decent time - took the Tube to Bank, then the DLR straight there. 35 mins or so in total. And one thing I love about City Airport- apart from how close it is - is that they have a long line of check in kiosks just as you get off the train. Avoids so much stress!
My trolley bag - which generally qualifies as hand luggage - turned out to be too big for the overhead compartment pf this small, turbo-prop plane. I ended up having to stuff it under the seat in front of me! Sort of. Upshot was, I had no legroom. Other than that, the flight was pleasant- what a shame that my bag wasn't one of those they identified as too big, before we boarded..
And so to Belfast. Technically at the same temperature as London, it's suffering Arctic winds, and is absolutely freezing! I was suffering at the airport. Flew into George Best Belfast City Airport, which Google Maps says you can walk from to the train station. Not so much- there's no pathway!
There was supposed to be a courtesy bus to the station, but it has to be booked, and there didn't seem to be anyone there to do that! Neither did I have cash for either regular bus or taxi. Got cash.. and said sod it, I'm getting a taxi- Belfast is really full of them. I checked online to see what I'd have to pay, to make sure I had enough. At the taxi rank, a most convivial chap hailed me a taxi, opened the door for me, and took my bag. And wouldn't you know it, what I was charged was much less than what I'd been quoted online. Good to remember.
There was no-one on reception- there isn't, after 6pm- so I poked my head into the adjoining cafe, where the guy behind the counter got me someone to check me in. Unfortunately, I'm on the top floor.. and there's no lift. Although she did offer to get someone to help with my bag.
Upstairs- the room's fine, with a couple of snags. Firstly, when I arrived, the radiator was turned off and the place was freezing! Now, the bed is comfy, and I have plenty of bedding- and with seven routers in the hotel, the free WiFi is excellent. Minor remaining quibbles include the awkwardly placed sockets, and the alarm clock whose time needs setting, and I can't figure out how to do it. There's also the safe, which doesn't have the reset button that is mentioned in the instructions..
More photos here. Looks fine from the photo, but it rained shortly after. I am in Ireland, after all!
Took my time heading out- I was thinking of the Titanic exhibition, which I'd heard great things about. I set out on foot, lest I see a restaurant on the way - the breakfast offered in the hotel cafe is too vegan for my liking, and they hadn't started with lunch yet. I noticed, en route, that I've accidentally fetched up in a Loyalist area! Not an issue these days, but time was I'd have been taking my life in my hands, with my Southern Irish accent, staying in a UVF community! Every time I walk to or from the hotel, I see another mural.
What I found first, before a restaurant, was St. George's Market - an excellent mixture of handicrafts, antiques, and food - although I fancied something a bit more upmarket to eat. I really enjoyed wandering it, though, to the sound of a pop duo performing in the centre.
And so, finally, on to the Titanic Quarter, passing the SSE on the way. My God, it was cold- being by the water, it's very exposed, and there was a strong, icy breeze. I still hadn't found a decent eatery - Belfast doesn't seem packed with them. So that was my first mission in the exhibition building, which turns out to have a pub that does sandwiches, and a self-service bistro, both on the ground floor. Vexingly, everything in the complex accepts Euros - if I'd known, I could have brought some!
So, I queued at the bistro. First counter is desserts, where I wisely decided to grab one straight away. It was lunchtime, and very crowded- I worried that, if I came back for one later, I'd lose my seat. It also turned out that, by the time I got to eat my chocolate cake, they were all gone from the shelf! You have been warned.
At the hot food counter, the lady asked whether there was anyone else for takeaway. Well, no, I wanted to eat it there- it wasn't until I was nearly at the till that I realised she'd meant "was there anyone for hot food?"! So I went back and queued again, and got a very moreish plate of tasty bang bang chicken, potatoes and veg, with gravy. And a glass of wine. £20.45 for all that, and as I was queueing, a manager asked how many were in my party, and found me a seat. Crowded, yes, and the only real choice here, but well worth a visit.
The centre also includes a decent, Titanic-related gift shop, but not much else. So I bought myself an exhibition ticket- I got mine from a kiosk, which had less of a queue, but they also seem to sell them at the visitor centre, which had no queue at all, and which I don't think they're supposed to. It was 2.10 at this point- with timed entry every 15 minutes, the next availability was at 3! So I took a seat, well away from the doors, which were letting in a terrible draught. While I was waiting, a wedding party arrived! Well, I suppose, why not? Terribly inappropriately dressed though, in strapless dresses with thigh-high slits, only a pashmina for warmth! Some people have no sense.
After the 2.45 crowd had gone in to the exhibition, I approached- and was just let straight in to the queue. There's an optional photograph in front of a green screen, on which is later imposed some period background, and you get to hold an old suitcase. They cost £10 at the end - I passed.
You can get audio guides when you're buying your ticket, at the desks - I do recommend them if you're not familiar with the history, as the full context of the time isn't completely explained. I made do with the explanatory flier - I see they have them in several languages, including Irish and Scots Gaelic! You can pick them up at the entrance to the exhibition.
The exhibition spans Floors 1 to 4. Floor 1 describes how Belfast was an industrial giant in the years leading up to Titanic. You also get a sense of the politics of the time, although it would probably take another whole exhibition to go into it properly:
Wend your way through this to the lift up to Level 4 - it has an industrial feel, because you're now learning what it was like to be in the steelworks. On Level 4, you can take a fairground ride, if you like- six different languages available on the cars, which seat six people. The staff select the language. I really recommend this- ir changes level and direction as you wind through the sculpture, but it's gentle, and really gives a sense of the working conditions.
After that, a very thorough exhibit describes the design of Titanic, with evocative representations of the sleeping quarters, and descriptions of how they ordered the best of everything. So poignant, given what happened- and the description of the sinking is most moving, with transcripts of the radio transmissions and audio from the survivors. There's a reproduction of a lifeboat, a description of the investigation, a panel about media representations. And as you make your way downstairs again, you can watch a film shot in a submersible investigating the wreck, learn about the debris field, and also about ocean exploration in general.
It's a fabulous undertaking, well worth the £18.50 adult admission fee, which includes access to the SS Nomadic, docked alongside, which is the White Star Line's last surviving ship. You can leave your visit to that till the day after your visit to the exhibition- but I'm not that pushed. Titanic tickets can be combined with other attractions- see the website for details.
Back to the hotel and out of the wind. Of course, my key card didn't work, and I had to grab the manager before she left for the day, and get her to fix it. Rested up a bit and charged my phone before heading back to the SSE - I tell you, that U2 fleece I bought is proving invaluable against the cold! On the way, I ran into two nice Belgian chaps, whose first concert of the tour it was. I was happy to reassure them both that yes, we'd be on time- they never have come on at the appointed time- and yes, this tour is phenomenal.
Stairs down to navigate again, but a gentlemanly usher offered me his arm. There isn't really an upper tier here- just a line of what look like corporate boxes along the top. As for my seat- jeez, I thought it was excellent. It was the cheapest ticket for me of the whole tour, at the £100 mark, but where I was, I could see the main screen and the screen at the back, which often shows something slightly different. I was delighted to be on the corner, where people are often more enthusiastic. And particularly, I was practically one with the standing fans - really felt like part of the U2 army, and the energy was phenomenal, the ground vibrating under our feet and excitable gans all around.
setlist
- The Blackout
- Lights of Home
- I Will Follow
- Gloria / Van Morrison's Gloria (snippet) /Patti Smith's Gloria (snippet)
- Beautiful Day
- Zoo Station
- The Fly
- Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
- Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (Intermission - Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me)
- Elevation
- Vertigo / Rebel Rebel (snippet)
- Even Better Than The Real Thing
- Hall of Mirrors (snippet) / Acrobat
- You're The Best Thing About Me
- Summer Of Love
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- Get Out Of Your Own Way
- New Year's Day
- City Of Blinding Lights
- One / Invisible (snippet)
- Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way
- 13 (There Is A Light)
encore(s):
My section was standing from the start of the concert- and as usual, it was funny to see people trying to figure out where the band were, as they performed the first song! The whole arena was standing from I Will Follow, and indeed was in fine voice- as was Bono. And this was the first show of the tour where I got a hug! Mind you, I wasn't the only one he was hugging.. My usher was trying to keep people out of the aisles, but gave up eventually.
Interesting change in the show now- the EU flag still appears, but there's no emphasis on the UK being part of it. The video sequence for Get Out of Your Own Way ends abruptly, to avoid that. Of course, he doesn't need to push the anti-Brexit agenda here - the whole island is in favour of remaining in the EU. Which is one thing the North has in common with the Republic.
I'm naming this my second-best show of the tour so far- after Manchester #2 and pushing London #2 to third place. Because of being part of that incredible energy.
On the way home, I stopped off at a Chinese- Ternary is open till 2am on Saturdays! How handy- and just around the corner from the hotel. It, and the streets, were full of naughty nurses, demons, and clowns, this being the weekend before Hallowe'en. Indeed, one reveller in the restaurant was in such a state that, every time she needed the facilities (which happened a lot), her friend had to lead her by the elbow.
Me, I had chicken satay skewers for starter, chicken in chili and honey sauce for main, and some excellent wine. I wouldn't have the skewers again- the sauce was lovely, but the chicken was as dry as paper. So much for it being a starter- my main course arrived when I'd had just one of the three skewers! Never mind, the main course was much better. Service was good, and at just over £25 for a starter, main, side, and two glasses of wine, I think it was very good value. Oh, and my key card worked to get me back in - I'm betting that the young employee who checked me in accidentally coded it for just one night initially.
I'm naming this my second-best show of the tour so far- after Manchester #2 and pushing London #2 to third place. Because of being part of that incredible energy.
On the way home, I stopped off at a Chinese- Ternary is open till 2am on Saturdays! How handy- and just around the corner from the hotel. It, and the streets, were full of naughty nurses, demons, and clowns, this being the weekend before Hallowe'en. Indeed, one reveller in the restaurant was in such a state that, every time she needed the facilities (which happened a lot), her friend had to lead her by the elbow.
Me, I had chicken satay skewers for starter, chicken in chili and honey sauce for main, and some excellent wine. I wouldn't have the skewers again- the sauce was lovely, but the chicken was as dry as paper. So much for it being a starter- my main course arrived when I'd had just one of the three skewers! Never mind, the main course was much better. Service was good, and at just over £25 for a starter, main, side, and two glasses of wine, I think it was very good value. Oh, and my key card worked to get me back in - I'm betting that the young employee who checked me in accidentally coded it for just one night initially.
On the 5th, I'm back up to Dublin. U2 again, dont'cha know? Staying in the Clayton again, which is a hop, skip and jump from the 3Arena, where there are concerts on the 5th and 6th. Would you believe, not even I could swing a ticket for the 5th - well, I'll just rock up on the day, and hopefully I can get something at the box office. I have heard of such things happening. I've had stranger things happen!
On the 7th, I fly back to London (BA) - purely so I can work on the 8th, before flying back to Dublin that night! Was supposed to be Cityjet, but they've now ended their flight schedule after this month - so now I'm going Ryanair. Same hotel, same venue, same band - on the 9th and 10th. I fly back on the 11th, exhausted, and finished with U2 concerts for the year!
On the 12th, I booked for Macbeth, at the Wanamaker Playhouse. And then Let's Do This finally posted that date for the Shirt Tail Stompers at Wilton's - well, I couldn't miss that! Funnily enough, London Social Detours have now advertised the same thing (and are charging more, as usual) - there's a terrible rivalry between the groups, with the leader of the latter group thinking she has prior claim to the floorspace. Sparks might fly. Meantime, anyone want a spare ticket for Macbeth?
On the 13th, we have our monthly team outing - probably just the two of us, but hey.
On the 14th, back with Up in the Cheap Seats (UITCS) at last for Love Lies Bleeding, at the Print Room at the Coronet. Got my ticket from London Theatre Direct.
On the 15th, I'm going to try the Seven Deadly Sins Pub Naughty History Tour. Walking in London again. And it being a Funzing event (like all of Walking in London's) I scoured my old Funzing discount codes, and discovered that Funzing_Fb20 seems to be working again - for all of them I've recently booked! So, a 20% discount - better than any recently offered on their Facebook page. Then I'm back to Ireland again for the weekend.
On the 19th, News of the Strange, from the Crick Crack Club, at Soho Theatre. The club does have a Meetup group, but it seems to have gone dormant, and is no longer advertising upcoming events. Not that that stops the organiser from attending - I'm sure I saw her at Monday's event!
On the 20th, back with UITCS for Pinter at the Pinter - Pinter plays at the Pinter Theatre. Two long ones on this occasion - this is Programme Four: Moonlight & Night School.
On the 21st, back at last with The London Jazz Meetup, who are off to the London Jazz Festival for a concert by the Faraj Suleiman Quartet at King's Place. UK premiere, apparently!
On the 22nd, with UITCS at the Garrick for Don Quixote. The only cheap tickets left for this were terrible, so I went a bit upmarket. A bit - I'm still behind a pillar!
On the 23rd, I'm on a Paranormal Activity Tour - ooh! Now, for this one, we get ghost-hunting equipment, which could make it interesting - I don't fancy the dowsing rods, myself, but we'll see. Walking in London, again. Discounted, again. And this was after my loyalty discount - so I got it at better than half price! which is good, considering the price.
On the 24th, I'm off on my own to see A Small Place, at the Gate.
On the 25th of next month, back at last to Winter Wonderland! That evening, I'm off to Cirque Berserk - an annual tradition for me. The latest show is the cheapest, so that's the one I booked.
On the 26th, I'm back with UITCS for Programme Three of Pinter at the Pinter - Landscape / A Kind of Alaska / Monologue.
On the 27th, I'm going to see Company, by Sondheim, at the Gielgud. No tickets available for the upper levels on the official site - they must all have been bought up by resellers! Cheapest I found was with OfficialLondonTheatre, run by See Tickets.
On the 28th, I'm with Walking in London again for the Haunted London Pub Tour.
On the 29th, I'm back with UITCS at the National for Hadestown. Then back to Ireland again for the weekend.
On the 3rd of December, I'm back to the National for I'm Not Running.
On the 4th, I'm off to the Bush, for Drip.
On the 5th, LDN Talks @ Night and London Speaks Sessions (both Funzing) advertised a "Winterville" talk on The Science of Santa, where we get the scientific explanation of how he does it. Taking place at The Windmill. However, seems they meant the day before, when of course I'm busy. So instead I'm going to True West, with Kit Harington, at the Vaudeville. Cheapest tickets from the venue.
The 6th could be interesting - Hazel of Walks, Talks and Treasure Hunts, London Guided Walks (and, indeed, Walking in London) has a Christmas Carol Tour. Now, the last two events I booked with her turned out to be no-shows.. the first might not have been her fault, as she was advertising someone else's event, but the second, she just missed the ball on and left three of us standing on a street corner. We shall see whether this event happens, I guess! Now, it's technically more expensive if you book on Funzing - but if you have my discount ;-) it comes down to the same price she charges on her own site, without the booking fee! So I did it that way.
On the 7th, back with UITCS at the Royal Court, for The Cane. Got the very last ticket, phew!
On the 8th, with them again at the Orange Tree Theatre for The Double Dealer.
On the 9th, the Crick Crack Club is back at the British Museum for I Know Not, an afternoon of Sufi legend.
On the 10th, I'm off to the Bridge Theatre for A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter, by Martin McDonagh. Starring Jim Broadbent, this is a dark take on Hans Christian Anderson!
And on the 11th of December, I'm going with North London Friends to The Convert, at the Young Vic. Discounted top-price seats, it seems!
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