Middlefocus

Attention went first to the flowers and bunting at the entrance to the Lock Keeper's Café at the Lagan Towpath and then catching my eye there it was a carving of a horse being lead by its handler.  Not in sight but inferred is the canal boat, called a "lighter" that was used to transport goods along the water in former days. It's a nice reminder of days gone by: days of horses, draysmen, locks and lockkeepers. Thanks to all those volunteers who act as guides to the Lock Keeper's Cottage right at the opening and to those who welcome visitors on board the old barge just opposite. In those locations you can hear stories of the people who lived and worked there. And plenty of information too for those who welcome every day as a new learning opportunity. The carved horse is a reminder to pause and pay attention. Harder times, no doubt, and slower.

Visited this exhibition at TheMacBelfast  today. Okay the sound was off but that didn't detract from a wonderful deepdive into the sea bed.  I'll be back to experience it again.  It's on to January. Why? The dark is inviting.  The colours stand out.  I didn't touch but Oh... how I wished to roll in that seaweed texture. Wonderful! The textures, the colours, the shapes, the fabrics. The creative process.   Do yourself a favour. If you are near this immerse yourself and Let flow!

  I had long been wanting to visit this reclining statue in front of Centenary House, at premises of the Salvation Army in Belfast's Victoria Street. Designed by Canadian sculptor, Timothy Schmaltz it portrays Jesus as a homeless person. A rough sleeper. Even though most of the statue is covered by a blanket, we know exactly who the person is by the piercings on the feet. Wounds of the crucifixion. The sculptor intended to challenge onlookers and it certainly had that effect. Someone has left a rolled-up bundle of clothes alongside adding to the poignancy of the scene. There are dozens of copies of the statue around the world although, as this Wikipedia article   points out, reaction has been varied.  I think its challenge on behalf of rough sleepers certainly hits home.

Loved it ! Having seen them several times on holidays, I knew a little about Segways but still wondered how they kept upright. The apparent defying of gravity has got to do with an onboard gyroscope and while to an onlooker it is obvious that it works, it takes only a few minutes on the machine for that to be confirmed and to feel at ease.  We had booked the "experience" with  Segway NI  and presented ourselves at the Titanic Quarter for a 90 minute tour. Before starting off we had a short but obligatory safety briefing from our instructor and guide, Kyle. After some practice at moving, turning and stopping, Kyle led us along a cycle lane to the first stop on our tour at the  SS Nomadic  brought to Belfast from Paris where it had served as a floating restaurant close to the Eiffel Tower.  Then it was over to Titanic Belfast  where he pointed out the arrangement of seats around the building that spelt out the ship's final distress signal in Mo...