Struell Wells Downpatrick and St Patrick Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2026-09-25 | Struell Wells Downpatrick and St Patrick
Victoria Park Bird Walk Mystery Waders East Belfast 23rd Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-24 | Tanya and I are on a pram walk round Victoria Park East Belfast. This park is a wildlife/bird haven. These are just some of the different birds we saw in our 45 minute, long dander. If anyone can identify the first group of roosting wader birds, I would be grateful. I am guessing they are Godwits.
Nobletts of North St Belfast Christmas Window Display Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-23 | This is Noblett's of North Street Classic Christmas window display. Is it one of the best family run shop displays in Belfast or is it the best? If you are nearby why not check them out! 'Here at Noblett's Of North Street, we pride ourselves on our reputationEstablished 1938Noblett's of North Street supply a wide range of decorating products by leading industry brands. For every taste and every pocket! Also online at www.wonderwallfashions.comWe believe in providing top quality customer satisfaction and offer an approachable and friendly yet professional service. We aim to supply you with all your needs for creating your ideal home. Our team of 20 staff are fully qualified with years of experience and on standby to help you and discuss those difficult decorating decisions!At Noblett's, we specialise in providing the best. We supply a variety of products using leading industry brands including: Arthouse, Crown, Johnstone's, Fine Decor, Belgravia, Hammerite & Sadolin. We stay up to date with the latest styles, colours and techniques. From traditional tastes to a contemporary edge, come to Noblett's of North Street. See our website for some of our products in store...keep visiting as the list will keep expanding!With thousands of wallpaper designs in stock we have a style for every taste! We can also order in products for you. We guarantee fantastic, budget friendly products & value for money - we are kind to your pocket!'Noblett's Of North Streetwonderwallfashions.com
Joys Entry Belfast Gets Ready for Christmas 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-23 | Last year I went down and filmed Joys Entry near Cornmarket Belfast, all decked out for Christmas. I went back down this November but was a bit too early. -The Christmas decorations were just being put up. They will however be ready for this Thursday 24th Nov. So if you enjoy the magic of Christmas courtesy of Schweppes get down there to Joys Entry from this weekend onwards.
Raven Honks Close to our Belfast Back Door Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-23 | There are ravens about in the Castlereagh hills Belfast. I've seen and heard them but only at a distance. I was really surprised that this one was calling from a tree close to our home. I was so surprised that at first I was unsure if it was a raven. This has never happened before. The bird must have noticed me filming him yet it didn't fly. a buzzard would have been away in seconds. You can clearly see this boyo honking. I've never witnessed this before either. It all goes to show that you should always keep the camera or video close at hand. You never know what will turn up unexpectedly.
1880 Queens Arcade Belfast Walk Through Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-22 | Tuesday 22nd November 2022. Here I am on a Christmas 2022 walk through, of the historic and architecturally significant Queens Arcade in central Belfast. I am very surprised that I have never filmed this famous arcade before. It is yet another of Belfast's hidden gems. The Arcade was built in 1880, as a fashionable promenade and business thoroughfare. Queen’s Arcade is the last remaining Victorian Arcade in the city. Designed by the architect James McKinnon. It has been described as “at once fashionable as a promenade and highly attractive as a business thoroughfare”, containing “upwards of thirty finely fitted shops”. It is not only an important thoroughfare but has a rich history entwined with some of the Belfast’s leading citizens.Prior to the construction of The Arcade in 1880, the site was home to Dr James McDonnell from the late-18th to the mid-19th century. Dr McDonnell 1763-1845, is recognized as the Father of Belfast Medicine and among his many achievements was the co-founder of the Belfast Fever Hospital & Dispensary, which later became the Royal Victoria Hospital. In addition to this, he was also a founder member of the Linenhall Library and Royal Belfast Academical Institution, and established a music academy to teach blind children to play the harp. A blue plaque above the arcade entrance pays tribute to the great doctor. He is buried in the ancient Layd graveyard Cushendall Co Antrim. 1306 Layd Church Holestone Celtic Cross Cushendallyoutube.com/watch?v=FJT3cuM7teM In 1895, Sir Otto Jaffe, the leading 19th century Belfast philanthropist and entrepreneur, who twice was Belfast Lord Mayor, purchased the building. Another visionary, he was Governor of the Royal Victoria Hospital. His real passion was education. He funded Queen’s College, now Queen’s University, where he sat on a committee to lobby successfully for the Public Libraries Act to be extended to Belfast.Since then, Queen’s Arcade has undergone two restorations, one in the 1935 carried out by Hobart & Heron Architects, and another in 2019. After many years in planning, with a team of specialist conservation architects and designers, the grand old Building has been restored back to its 19th century former glory. 120 years since it was born, Queen’s Arcade remains one of Belfast’s signature landmarks.
Belfast City Hall Christmas Tree 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-22 | Hi Folks. It's 22 November 2022 and this is Belfast City Hall Christmas Tree 2022!
Can Anyone Identify This Insect Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-22 | My Youtube friend Chris sent me this little video snippet of a mystery insect. He spotted it in his Bempton, Bridlington garden. Can anyone properly identify it. Is it a daddy-long -legs of some sort? Is it some sort of crane fly?
Our new Charnwood Wood Burning Stove Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-20 | Last week was the usual busy week with one or two extras. On Thursday we had our new Charnwood wood burning stove installed and I took the old Morso stove on a trailer to the dump. We lit it for the first time on Friday night. All is well. This wood burning stove will supply us with an alternative heat source if and when the suppliers randomly decide they want to charge us more for our oil, gas, electric. Or it will be there if and when our suppliers randomly decide to black out our electric.
Nighttime Belfast City of Ember Film Connection Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-19 | This is the nighttime view sweep round from the Gilnahirk/Braniel viewpoint near our home. I just stopped off for a few minutes because I always love taking in this scene. It's cloudless, cool and windy tonight. I call it city of embers because from this vantage point it reminds me of the glowing embers of a fire. Also the largely forgotten film 'City of Ember 'was made in Belfast back in 2008.City of EmberCity of Ember is a 2008 American science fiction adventure film based on the 2003 novel The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Directed by Gil Kenan in his live-action directorial debut, the film stars Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Bill Murray, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Landau, Mary Kay Place, Toby Jones and Tim Robbins.Produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's Playtone and Walden Media, City of Ember was theatrically released on October 10, 2008 by 20th Century Fox, two months after the release of the final book in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold. The film received mixed reviews from critics and was a box office bomb, grossing only $17.9 million against a budget of $55 million.Filming LocationsEditCave Hill, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UKHarland and Wolff Paint Hall, Titanic-Quarter, Belfast, Belfast Methodist CollegeMaysfield Leisure Centre Titanic-Quarter, Belfast,
Remembrance Day Mural Victoria British Columbia Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-18 | My Youtube friend Shaun, sent me this new Remembrance Day mural, that he spotted near a 'Canadian' Legion building near the waterfront in the city of Victoria British Columbia. The piece is evocative and strikes just the right note to keep in our memories all the guys and gals who gave so much during two world wars to ensure our freedoms.
Sea Views Walk Crawfordsburn Belfast Lough Co Down 16 Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-18 | This is our wee late afternoon pram walk down at Crawsfordsburn Country Park on Wednesday 16th November 2022. We are on the shore walk between Holywood and Bangor. Crawfordsburn (from Scots Crawford's burn 'Crawford's stream') is a small, picturesque, village of approximately 900 souls in County Down, Northern Ireland. It was only a short walk but it was nice getting out of the house and invigorating to feel the fresh sea breeze in our faces. I love the sound of the crashing waves.
Fabulous Christmas Decorations Wheelhouse Sq Scarborough Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-17 | My good Youtube friend Chris from Bempton, Bridington, Yorkshire, sent me his video of the fabulous Christmas decorations, at Wheelhouse Square, Scarborough. I think you will agree, that this a truly remarkable magical Christmas display. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills, of Belfast, to all who painstakingly put this together and all the residents who will enjoy it.Thanks for sending me this Chris!
2 Fast Kawasaki 650s Motorbikes Belfast Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-17 | I spotted these two 650 Kawasaki's yesterday while out visiting Specsavers at Victoria Square Belfast.Far too fast for me! ride safe guys!
Christmas Victoria Square & Dome Walk Belfast Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-17 | 16 November 2022 I'm back down at Belfast's popular shopping centre, Victorious Square. I've returned again to visit Specsavers and get my waxy ears syringed. I stop off and take in the Christmas decorations and then up, up, up, I go to take in the sights from the Dome that roofs the centre.
Ear Wax Syringe Specsavers Victoria Sq Belfast Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-17 | Please do not watch this video if you are squeamish or of a sensitive nature.It is a 'warts and all', video.At 69, old age is creeping up on me. My family keep telling me my hearing is going, so I recently went for a hearing test at, Specsavers Connswater, Belfast. Unfortunately, this could not proceed as I had a buildup of wax in both ears. This had to be cleared first before any hearing test. This wee video is an account of my ear, syringing experience, at Specsavers, Victoria Square. Everything was done in a very professional manner. I would thoroughly recommend Specsavers Victoria Square to anyone. The video is meant to inform and reassure people as to what happens during any ear syringing procedure.
Dr Éamon Phoenix Belfast Historian Gone but Not Forgotten Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-15 | I was saddened to hear of the recent death of learned academic Dr Eamon Phoenix, 1953 – 13 November 2022). He was 69. This is my wee video tribute. Dr Phoenix was a well known and well-respected Irish historian, author, and broadcaster. He will be greatly missed by all. He is gone but not forgotten. Éamon Phoenix attended St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast and subsequently Queen’s University Belfast. He was awarded a B.A. (Hons) in History followed by a Ph.D. in 1983. The topic of his PhD thesis was Irish nationalism.He taught history at St Malachy's College and worked as a Fellow at the institute of Irish Studies at Queen's University Belfast before taking up a permanent appointment at Stranmillis University College.He published extensively on all aspects of Irish history and regularly gave public lectures on the subject. He also contributed widely on Irish history, for newspapers and for online publications including the BBC.Dr Phoenix held a variety of honorary positions. He was Chairperson of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Northern Ireland. He was a member of the Expert Advisory Group established by the Irish government to advise it on matters related to the Decade of Centenaries. He also organised a lecture series for the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council. He was a member of the National Famine Committee and the Nomadic Project Board. He was a Trustee of the Ulster Historical Foundation.
Shauns Snowy Penticton Drive Views British Columbia Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-15 | My Youtube friend expat Shaun, originally from Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, is good enough to send me numerous videos of his life in Vancouver Island. Here he is taking a recent, long, snowy, new, electric car drive, across British Columbia to Penticton.
Wild Horses in Snowy Penticton British Columbia Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-14 | My Youtube friend Shaun is on a snowy trip from Vancouver across country to Penticton. Here he stops to film some of the famous Penticton wild horses.
Manning Park First Real Snow of the Canadian Winter Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-14 | This is my Youtube friend Shaun stopping off at Manning Park Ski Resort in mainland British Columbia. He is taking a driving break and using it to recharge his new electric car. Driving an electric car in snowy conditions does bring its own fuel/power challenges. The temperature is a nippy -4C and there is as you can see a first real carpet of winter snow. Drive safe Shaun!
What happens to Vancouver Used Halloween Pumpkins? Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-14 | This is another video sent from my good Youtube friend Shaun who lives in Duncan Vancouver Island. Here Shaun stops by the side of the road and films used Halloween pumpkins. The local wildlife will no doubt enjoy the feast. Many wildlife experts however are not happy. Jensen Edwards argues, ' When it happens along a highway, it increases the chances of car crashes with animals. When we introduce a food source like a rotting pumpkin into the woods somewhere, you’re bringing all sorts of animals together who sniff it out. This can become almost a hub for disease transmission, and you’re also creating maybe a reliance on introduced food.
Last Potato Bucket Harvest this Year Belfast 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-13 | 13th November 2022Those of you who have been following my attempts at growing potatoes in buckets will know where I am on this. For anyone new, I've been experimenting this year with the idea of propagating potatoes in plastic buckets. This video marks my last bucket unveiling. The potatoes were Dunbar Standards and I'll use them again next Spring. This is my last harvest this year and this is what I've learnt over the year about doing this It does work! So don't be afraid to give it a go
What Does a One Ton Bag of Logs Look Like? Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-12 | In this wee video, I show what 1 ton bag of kiln dried, wooden logs, looks like. Viewers will then have a better idea, what 'weight' of logs might fit into their yard/garage area.I have to point out as some posters said, this is a 1 ton bag but the logs inside it probably only add up to 6-7 Cwt.
Where Did the HP Sauce Name come From? Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-12 | Just a wee frivolous fun fact. Where did the HP sauce name come from?
Penelope Flowers Christmas Decorations Kings Sq E Belfast 10 Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-10 | Penelope Flowers Christmas Decorations Kings Sq E Belfast 10 Nov 2022Last night, ( 9th Noverber! ), I was out and about on East Belfast videoing some of the local houses, decked out for Christmas. This afternoon I was down in Kings Square shopping centre and noticed that award winning, Penelope Flowers, were also well advanced in building their Christmas festive decoration display. What do you think?Are these festive decorations going up too early?
Early Christmas House Decorations Belfast 9 Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-09 | Wed 9th Novemeber 2022. It appears that Belfast Christmas house decorations are being put up earlier each year. We have only just got through Halloween and yet, I found two houses in East Belfast that are already decked out for Christmas! (There may be more! ) I can understand folks wanting to cheer us all up in these gloomy days but maybe it's a wee bit early? What do you think? These houses put up their decorations over the last few days. Do you know an 'early' Christmas house down your way?
Irish Speaking Soldiers from East Belfast in WW1 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-08 | I've dropped into the wonderful Linen Hall Library, opposite Belfast City Hall, to take in the latest in a series of WW1 exhibitions. This one is titled, 'Irish Speaking Soldiers from East Belfast, in World War 1.The exhibition highlights the findings of painstaking research. Over seventy Irish speaking soldiers were identified. They lived in the working-class communities that evolved in east Belfast after the arrival of industry. They relied for work in the local shipyards and factories. The group included family members and workmates. Some were Catholic and Protestant neighbours, who fought alongside each other, mostly at the Somme.The 74 men were drawn from all sides of the community and included some who had signed the Ulster Covenant. Three years before the war, in the census of 1911, all had said they were Irish speakers. The exhibition presents a snapshot of their lives before, during and in some cases after the war.This exhibition runs until the end of November 2022.It has been made possible by the support of National Lottery Heritage Fund. Cairde Turas (a sister project of Turas, the east Belfast Irish language organisation), researched Irish-speakers from East Belfast who enlisted to fight in the First World War.
Beaver Full Moon over Belfast 8 Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-08 | Here I am filming the November beaver full moon over Belfast at 3 am in the morning. The moon is very bright tonight/this morning. PS I'm out in my jamies! I must be mad, me with man flu. ( Tanya doesn't know though! That's the most important thing! lol )
Former Coronation Street Replica Coombes Vancouver Island Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-08 | My Youtube friend, ex pat Shaun who now lives on Vancouver Island, sent me this video of a street that was originally built as a replica of Coronation Street from the UK TV soap. Al that is long gone now but you can still see the resemblance. Shaun was visiting the tourist village of Coombes, near his home.
Englishman River Falls Vancouver Island Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-08 | Expat Shaun and Marieta take us for a stroll up to scenic Englishman River Falls Vancouver Island British Columbia. Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. It is located west of Parksville and borders the small community of Errington on Vancouver Island. It is very popular for walkers and campers all year round. The base of the falls is a popular swimming hole with 15 to 20 ft cliff jumping. Salmon spawning can be observed in seasonLegend has it that the skeleton of a white man was found near the falls, -hence its name.
Cathedral Grove Oldest Tallest Trees Vancouver Island Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-08 | My Vancouver Island Youtube friend Shaun sent me this wee video of him and Marieta dandering along the trail through Cathedral Grove. The grove contains some of the oldest and tallest trees in Canada. 800-year-old giant Douglas Fir, Grand Firs, Western Hemlocks, and Western Red Cedar trees. Cathedral Grove will give you a sense of what Vancouver Island and the west coast looked like before the arrival of European settlers.Cathedral GroveCathedral Grove has the most famous and accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. This stand of towering trees was a tourist spot as early as the 1920’s before it became a protected park.History:In 1944 after much petitioning and public involvement, the park was given to the province for the public’s enjoyment. In 1996 the park was hit hard by a storm and many of the large trees fell to the forest floor. This opened up some of the canopy above and let more light in to see the expanse of trees around. With plenty still there, this is a walk that should be on your vacation bucket list. Make sure you get to the Grove early during July and August as parking can be somewhat difficult during these months.
My Still Living Movie Star Then and Now Choices Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-07 | This is a collection of top film actors I would have watched back in the day and who are still alive. I hope you enjoy this wee compilation.
Shout Out for Driffield Steam Fair Do Not Miss It Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-06 | This is this year's program for the famous Driffield Steam Fair usually held annually on 13-14th August. This well run, long established, fair is so worth going to see if you are into all things classic or steam. It so deserves this wee shout out on my channel.Thanks to my Youtube friend Chris from Bempton Bridolington for sending me his copy.
Butchart Gardens Vancouver Island Walk Round by Expat Shaun Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-06 | Many thanks to my Youtube friend Expat Shaun for sending me this video of the fabulous Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, Victoria, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. What a wonderful day out and through the power of video and internet we can tag too. The gardens receive over a million visitors each year and have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada.History and DevelopmentRobert Pim Butchart (1856–1943) began manufacturing Portland cement in 1888 near his birthplace of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. He and his wife Jennie Butchart (1866–1950) came to the west coast of Canada because of rich limestone deposits necessary for cement production.In 1904, they established their home near his quarry on Tod Inlet at the base of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island.In 1907 Isaburo Kishida, a sixty-five-year-old garden designer from Yokohama, Japan, came to Victoria at the request of his son to build a tea garden for Esquimalt Gorge Park. Jennie Butchart viewed this garden and commissioned Kishida to build Japanese gardens for their estates before Kishida returned to Japan in 1912.By 1909, the limestone quarry was exhausted and Jennie set about turning it into the Sunken Garden, which was completed in 1921. They named their home "Benvenuto" ("welcome" in Italian) and began to welcome visitors. In 1926, they replaced their tennis courts with an Italian garden and in 1929 they replaced their kitchen vegetable garden with a large rose garden to the design of Butler Sturtevant of Seattle. Samuel Maclure, who was consultant to the Butchart Gardens, reflected the aesthetic of the English Arts and Crafts Movement.In 1939, the Butcharts gave the Gardens to their grandson Ian Ross (1918–1997) on his 21st birthday. Ross was involved in the operation and promotion of the gardens until his death 58 years later.In 1953, miles of underground wiring were laid to provide night illumination, to mark the 50th anniversary of The Gardens. In 1964, the ever-changing Ross Fountain was installed in the lower reservoir to celebrate the 60th anniversary. In 1994, the Canadian Heraldic Authority granted a coat of arms to the Butchart Gardens. In 2004, two 30-foot (9.1 m) totem poles were installed to mark the 100th anniversary, and The Gardens were designated as a national historic site.Ownership of The Gardens remains within the Butchart family; the owner and managing director since 2001 is the Butcharts' great-granddaughter Robin-Lee Clarke.In 1982 the Butchart Gardens was used as the inspiration for the gardens at the Canadian pavilion opened at Epcot Centre in Orlando Florida.In December 2009 the Children's Pavilion and the Rose Carousel were opened. The Rose Carousel, crafted by Brass Ring Entertainment of Sun Valley, California is the only carousel on Vancouver Island. The menagerie includes thirty animals ranging from bears, to horses, to ostriches, to zebras and mirrors the world from which The Gardens draws its visitors. The designs were hand-picked by the owner, in consultation with an artist from North Carolina. The carvings were done by some of the few remaining carvers of carousel art. Each animal is carved from basswood and took many months to complete. There are also two chariots able to accommodate disabled persons.StatuesSeveral bronze statues are displayed in the gardens.One, of a wild boar, purchased on a Mediterranean trip in 1973, was cast in Florence by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry, a replica of a 1620 bronze cast by Pietro Tacca. It is called "Tacca" in honor of the sculptor and, just as the original's, its snout is shiny from the many visitors rubbing it for luck.Another, nearby in front of the residence, of a donkey and foal is by Sirio Tofanari. A fountain statue of three sturgeon, also by Tofanari (cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry), is installed near the Japanese garden.In 1993, "Circle of Doves", which Ann-Lee Ross gave her husband Ian in 1991 to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary, was installed in front of the begonia bower.In the summer of 2008, The Gardens introduced the Jennie B, an electrically driven 12-passenger boat, which plies the local coastlines in the summer giving visitors an appreciation of the waterside history plus coastal aquatic plants and animals.In the early days, weekly symphony concerts were hosted by Mr and Mrs. Butchart. More recently, in the Summer Season (July and August) and during the Winter Holiday Season they provide a wide range of local entertainment, from jazz to classical music. Also, The Weeds, a band made up of staff members from The Gardens, sometimes plays during the Summer Season. In 1977, Ian Ross's son Christopher (1944–2000) introduced firework shows accompanied by show tunes on summer Saturday evenings. During the Winter, lights and seasonal decorations adorn the gardens along with an ice-skating rink in the Waterwheel Square.
My New Panasonic HC-W580 Full HD Camcorder Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-05 | I've just bought a camcorder upgrade. This is my new Panasonic HC-W580 Full HD Camcorder. My Panasonic HC -V260 camcorder was letting me down when it came to focus. It has had a lot of use. I will keep it as a backup as it is still working. This new, cheap and cheerful, Panasonic HC-W580 was on sale from bps bps-tv.co.uk/product/panasonic-hc-w580-camcorder for £ 238. I received it within 5 days. It has the same terrific Panasonic HV series 90 X Zoom.It has a dual sub camera.It has the same excellent Panasonic stabilizer.
Moon and 2 planets over Belfast 3rd Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-05 | This is probably the last video I will take with my Panasonic HC- V260 . I have decided to, bite the bullet and upgrade and buy, a Panasonic -W580 with sub camera. Anyway, this is the Belfast moon as it was on 3rd Nov 2022. There are two planets nearby. I'm guessing that one is Jupiter and the other maybe Venus? Anyone?
Rainbow Over Belfast 4th Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-05 | I was up round the Gilnahirk/Braniel viewpoint yesterday and there was a rainbow over the city of Belfast. I love rainbows and always film them when I can!
Litter Picking Rant Over Belfast Thurs 3 Nov 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-03 | No pram walk today. I'm out for a wee walk on my own to do a bit of much needed litter picking on the Middle Braniel Road Belfast. This is my wee rant.
Planting Spring Road Verge Daffodils Nov 3 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-03 | Today I'm planting spring flowering road verge daffodils. It is a warm Thursday the 3rd of November 2022. I hope this wee video might inspire some of you out there, to get out and do the same on a verge near you. It certainly raises my spirits when I see a colourful roadside verge, on a spring day and the insects love it too.
Motorbike Brake Light Problem Replace Faulty Relay Switch Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-02 | My brake warning light wouldn't come on when I applied the front brake. However, the brake warning light did light up when the foot brake was applied. The problem was solved by replacing the broken brake light relay switch. What a simple but very clever little switch.
Salmon Run Goldstream River Vancouver Island Filmed by Expat Shaun Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-02 | My Youtube friend Shaun who once lived in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, has been sending me Vancouver Island/British Columbia, related videos, via WhatsApp. I am most grateful to him, as it gives Belfast people like me, an ordinary Irish guy's, insight, into what life is like over there, on the other side of the world. Today Shaun and Marieta take us to Goldstream Provincial Park. This is around 25 miles from their home. We are treated to a river side view of the beginnings of the famous, annual salmon run, when salmon head up the Goldstream river to spawn and die. Goldstream Provincial Park is only 25 minutes from downtown Victoria, Vancouver Island. It sits where the Goldstream River meets the Saanich Inlet. Goldstream River is home to one of the richest salmon spawning locations on Vancouver Island, with species including Chum, Coho and Chinook. Access to the river at Goldstream Provincial Park is only a short trek away from the main car park on the northbound side of the highway. From there, you can walk so we recommend starting your visit at the Nature House, situated on the east side of the highway. Park in the day use visitor's area and walk 10 minutes down the Visitors Centre Trail. Many thanks Shaun!
Expat Shaun Garden Irrigation System Vancouver Island Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-02 | In this video Ballymoney expat Shaun, living on Vancouver Island explains his back garden irrigation system.
Mr Buzzard Back Yard Belfast Fly By Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-02 | Mr Buzzard Back Yard Belfast Fly By.We have buzzards flying nearby by two or three times a week. In summer it can be once or twice a day. 50 years ago, we had no buzzards at all in N Ireland. They are mostly scavengers rather than predators. They keep our country roads clean of road kills. They will kill and eat beetles, worms, shrews, mice, young rabbits or anything small and then road kill too.
Expat Shaun Helps Neighbour Build Vancouver Rockery Pond Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-02 | My expat Youtube friend Shaun sent me a video, showing him and Marieta, helping their neighbour, build a magnificent garden pond and rockery. They are way over there on Vancouver Island. I would love to do this but I'm afraid with wee grandchildren running about. I think this is fabulous!
Truss Sunak Tory Leadership Battle Murals Belfast Aug-Oct 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-11-01 | Way back in August 2022 the Tory leadership battle had just begun. -Former PM Boris had finally decided to step down. The field quickly narrowed until Mr Sunak and Ms Truss were the last ones standing.To mark the occasion, Mr Willie Jack, a very well-known Belfast pub and restaurant owner in the Titanic Quarter, decided it might be fun to create a series of wall murals, based on this quickly changing, political contest. Willie Jack cleverly engaged the services of very talented street artist Kieran Gallagher. They both put their heads together and came up with a series of satirical political murals ( updated regularly ), that recorded the changing fortunes of each candidate. This video is the result. These captured mural images of Ms Truss and Mr Sunak, have appeared on tv news screens around the world. I hope they make you smile.
Belfast Hill St Political Sunak Satire Mural 31 Oct 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-31 | Belfast Hill Political Sunak Satire Mural 31 Oct 2022I'm back down on Hill street in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. Here's perhaps the final political satire mural, in the ongoing series that document the 'race to secure No 10. The brains behind this comic series is, Willie Jack, proprietor of the famous Duke of York and Harp Bars. Mr Jack is added and abetted by talented street artist/mural painter Kieran Gallagher.In this piece we see the new PM, Mr Sunak, looking decidedly apprehensive as he stares out of an aptly named, dingy, named the RMS Titanic. Boris and Ms Penny's Mordaunt are both are seconds from abandoning ship.
31 Oct 2022 Latest Belfast Petrol Diesel Prices Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-31 | Hi all. 31st Oct 2022 These are the latest Belfast petrol and diesel prices. Diesel goes up while petrol remains much the same. Of course we are 'told', by those in authority, that it is all to do with the war in Europe. This is nonsense. Unsurprisingly Shell posted huge profits the other day. They and all therr fellow oil tycoons are laughing all the way to the bank. I reckon the directors of oil companies are all chums with members of gov't and members of the cabinet. The gov't hit the public with high VAT rate, yet these big oil companies get a low or non-existent tax rate. Where is the windfall tax on oil companies? As usual the ordinary man in the street is left with empty pockets.
Play Spot the Belfast Buzzard Sun 30 Oct 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-30 | Sun 30 Oct 2022We're on another Middle Braniel road pram walk again and we spot these two buzzards. You are never far from a buzzard up in the Castlereagh hills of Belfast.
Another Pram Walk Weather Update 28 Oct 2022 Belfast Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-28 | We are minding just one grandchild today. The wee man is absolutely shattered with the cold and he needs sleep. Stubborn like his papa he fights it right to the end. The only two things that work to put him over are taking him for a drive or doing a pram walk. If the weather is good a pram walk winds every time. Today out weather is super for late October. Come with me now and enjoy the sights and sounds.
Belfast Harbour Marina Dull Wet Windy Walk Round 27 Oct 2022 Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-28 | I'm back down at Belfast Harbour Marina. It is dull, wet and windy but that is the usual winter story in Belfast. Not a lot has changed since I last called in.
Who was Daft Eddy that Sketrick Island Restaurant is named After? Tom McClean Positive Belfast 2022-10-27 | In this wee compilation of past videos of our some of our visits to Daft Eddys fabulous eatery on Sketrick Island, White Rocks, Killinchy. I ask the intriguing question, 'Who was the Daft Eddy that the restaurant and bar are named after? did he even exist?
