Sunday 15 August 2010

The Route 77 Walk




















The walk was well attended with around 20 participants meeting at the Westlands Fire Station on the Cavehill Rd. The walk took an enquiring route from the north to the west of the city without actually sticking to the 77 bus route. Having a bus route to try to seek out gave us a mission with a route through the city and an opportunity to talk to people as we went. Many of the participants diddn't know each other at the start but between us all we managed to patch together some interesting anecdotes and observations about the city.

We set off through the Waterworks park (despite hearing that the 77 started in Newington) with a visit to the Waterworks Community Garden en route before exiting for the Cliftonville at the Cliftonville grounds gate. It was discussed that Cliftonville grounds have only one enterence and that the new stand and the floodlights were paid for by a deal with Sky TV for the rights to film matches.
Onwards towards Manor St with a view to catching up with the 77 route. This took in a circular route through the Bone Oldpark and Crumln Rd area to take in Manor St and its environs from both sides of the interface. There was an attempt to enter the interface on the Cliftonville side of Manor St which initiated an interesting discussion about urban rights of way. Cliftonpark Ave proved a highlight as we realised that there were 2 parallel walls at one stage outside the Girtwood Barracks site. There was just enough room to squeeze through to a little trodden path flanked by briars hawthorn and other urban wildlife. We tasted a few early blackberries.

The courthouse and the story of it being acquired by a developer for the princely sum of #1 with plan to turn it into a 5 star hotel was of interest. Our trip around the lower Shankill gave us a view of the fire damaged rear of the building which backs onto the Shankill Estate. We then made our way up to Northumberland St and out onto the Falls. By this stage it was 6 pm sop we repaired to the Culturlann for something to eat after a good 4 and a half hours solid walking.

Albert St, Boyne Bridge, the Pass and the Gasworks is a walk to be continued on another day.

Any other photos and comments on the walk most welcome, hopefully this walk is the 1st of many.

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