I pulled off the road to get my bearings the other day. I knew, or at least thought I knew where I was going. The town had become a City since I was last there with new buildings and roads adding to my confusion. The tiny car park I pulled into led me to a walk by the river Lagan.
With all these signs I was sure to sort myself out!
Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre was certainly a newbie to me. I could see the water through the shrubbery so I walked a little to investigate. A minuscule slipway had this surprise:
I knew I wanted to go a little further…
And one more…
I did find a few more surprises, but time and pain prevented me from going very far. A little research when I came home tells me I have not touched the surface yet and need to return some time soon to explore further. Davy Mac You nearly got a call to put the coffee pot on!
A Taster of some of the treats in store for another day:
A modern day Milestone, one of 1000 Mileposts funded by the Royal bank Of Scotland to mark the creation of the National Cycle Network. Click on it for greater detail.
The friendly gentleman in the picture stopped for a chat, I suppose he wondered what I was up to with the camera. He had no objection to his image appearing here, but alas I didn’t get his name. He was on the way home to his good lady wife of over 50 years and looking forward to the meal she would serve up to him. I reminded him of how lucky he was and told him to give her an extra squeeze today.
“After 50 odd years?” he queried. “And why not” I said, adding “I am sure you still love her!” He told me he did.
Why do people let hugs and squeezes fade as the years roll on? Go give your spouse a hug and a great big squeeze right now! If they look quizzically at you, it is your own fault; but you can tell them I reminded you! 🙄
Oh Dear, I just went and gave Himself a hug and a Great Big Squeeze. Your right he did look a bit quizzical at the end. I will tell them you reminded me to do it.
My man is not here. Am I allowed to give a Doc a squeeze instead and then blame you?
Great pics btw
I know very little of Lisburn except Sprucefield Shopping Centre! But I know those wonderful mileposts, I’ve seen others further along the river.
Hugs and squeezes are very good for your health! Jenny and I hug and squeeze all the time, we would never stop doing that.
@Brighid – I hope you both enjoyed it!
@Steph – No harm in giving a Doc a squeeze provided you save one for hubby later.
@Nick – Maybe I have found a new game for myself… spot the new style mileposts! I certainly miss touch, the ‘hugs and squeezes’ added something special to our day.
I need squeeze! I just get lifted off my feet and slapped on the bum but I’m assured its a term of endearment! At least you saw someone on your walk. I didn’t see a soul hardly.
Baino, Most days when I produce the camera while out walking, someone will stop to talk, occasionally I might ask them if they are local and know the background to a particular item or history of a building. Most times it works!
Nice photos GM. Places do change very much over the years. I’ve been back to a few childhood haunts and stood perplexed (and disappointed) at the modern, concrete jungles replacing the little woods, streams, dens and hidey holes of yore…
Sorry to hear your hip(?) is hurting. When are they going to fix it for you?
Geri, I am suddenly reminded of the journey from Dublin to Co.Antrim thirty odd years ago; we travelled through so many towns, villages and bottlenecks, Now it is motorway most of the journey! One of these days I should try the old route…. just for the adventure!
As for my hip… I am on the list, so sometime in the next few months I will be on the chopping board! 🙄
Hugs are amazing – they bring warmth and love!
I’m sending you a hug today Grannymar!!!
Ah yes…the memories of those long gone bottlenecks….hic….
Oh! (snapping back) it’s the road ones you meant! Hee-hee.
There is a lot of merit in motorways, that’s true and indeed we wouldn’t want to be without them now. Still, a ride down the old lanes, on a sunny day, just for the adventure and with a nice pic-nic stacked in the boot… Sounds good GM!
Good luck with the hip. Hope it stays ‘quiet’ till the operation.
A neighbour of mine had two new hips done in her late eighties. She is 97 now and can scuttle with the best of us!
@Kate – They do indeed! I feel the warmth of your hug right now! Thank you. 😀
@Geri – Much as I tease, I am looking on this ‘hip’ problem as an interruption to my chasing toyboys! I don’t intend to let it keep me back for long… I am missing far too much fun these days. 🙄
Dear Grannymar,
You are so right telling your readers to continue being affectionate with their spouses,no matter how old they are.
Here is the story of a couple who followed your advice to the letter…..
On hearing that her elderly grandfather had just passed away, Susan went straight to her grandparent’s house to visit her 95-year-old grandmother and comfort her.
When she asked how her grandfather had died, her grandmother replied, he had a heart attack while we were making love on Sunday morning.”
Horrified, Susan told her grandmother that two people nearly 100 years old having sex would surely be asking for trouble.
“Oh no, my dear,” replied granny. “Many years ago, realising our advanced age, we figured out the best time to do it was when the church bells would start to ring. It was just the right rhythm. Nice and slow and even. Nothing too strenuous, simply in on the Ding, and out on the Dong.”
She paused, wiped away a tear and then continued, “and if that damned ice cream truck hadn’t come along, he’d still be alive today!”
Oh I love Nancy and her stories!
Great post GM, marvellous pics. And that’s what I miss the most too, the touch.
consider yourself hugged today my dear!
XO
WWW
@Nancy – At least it was not the fire engine! 🙄
@WWW – Thank you, and consider a hug winging its way to you too. 😀
Your photos are amazing – lovely area! And great point about hugs! Who doesn’t need a hug? It’s my official greeting, and my sign off on emails. Let ’em roll! I sure hope that gentleman hugged his wife! You were probably “sent” into his life just for that message!
I have no choice. My widows come and hug and squeeze me whenever they see me and are able to catch me.
@Suzen – Welcome to the party over this side of the pond. Not sure about me being a messenger. I just say whatever comes into my head. One of these days it will get me into trouble! 😆
@Ramana – Are you boasting again? 🙄
I just had a real hug! From a Toyboy!
My five year-old neighbour came up the hill wheeling his tiny two-wheeler bike and looking very sad… he had a fall and scratched his elbow on the kerb. I offered a hug to make it better. He wrapped his little arms around my knees and clung to me!
Hugs make life better! 😀
Oh I love a hug. My almost three year old Grandson runs and flings his arms round my knees in a great embrace. Bless him it’s as high as he can reach. 🙂
Grannymar how dare you be in Lisburn and not let me put the kettle on. I could have given you that apple 😉
Rhyleysgranny – I actually landed in Lisburn by chance the other day. Promise next time to plan ahead and let you know.
When I saw the picture of the attractive milestone with a gentleman hurrying in your direction I thought, “Grannymar has just added a new toyboy to her collection.” Too bad he was taken 50 years ago.
There are so many hugs to think about. The hugs from a husband, a lover (hopefully those two are the same person) the hug of a child, a friend. Yes hugs are wonderful. They life the spirit. Beautiful photos. I am so glad you had your camera with you.
By the way, Bob and I hug frequently. We both know what it was like before we met and how lonely the time can be when one has lost the love of their lives. We were so blessed with our marriage. . . we do not take this new opportunity of marital bliss forgranted.
@Darlene – Next people will say I am a magnet for toyboys! 🙄
@Maria – You are blessed indeed to have another chance at happiness.
Well I did it… and was asked, “What’s that in aid of?” so I said “Grannymar told me to do it!”…”Oh, I see. Do you do everything she says?”
How do I answer that?
I next got a lecture headed,” You hug me enough any way!”
I can’t win….. I mean to say Lady Magpie says she can’t get used to all this huggy lovey stuff, she wasn’t brought up like that. I think she prefers flowers…but they’re getting very expensive i tell her 😉
Magpie, 😆
Flowers… expensive! I knew a guy who bought one red rose for his wife on their first Wedding Anniversary. The second year it was two, and so the roses increased as each year went by. Forty five years later I think the florist is ready for a very comfortable retirement! Hugs are much better and cheaper!
Hope you are feeling better.
Feeling better….don’t know what it was…..dr thought it might be meningitis at one point!
I do but flowers…as much for myself as anyone…I know…tut tut!
Magpie,
That could have been nasty. Take it easy for a few days.
Unfortunately I associate cut flowers with illness and death, so never keep them in my house. I have been known to give bouquets away to those who will enjoy them. I do tell them my reason for passing them on.
Ack, you should have let me know you were in Lisburn, could’ve at least bought you a (good) coffee somewheres.
What were you doing in the Island Arts Centre anyway?
Sorry to hear the hip giving you bother, hope they don’t keep you too long waiting on the ‘chopping board’ appt.
I’ve not forgotten your photo-retouch either, been a tad busy though, must make a point of sorting that out soon.
All the Hairy Chest 😉
Davy,
There will be another time for that coffee. The Island Arts Centre was due to a spur of the moment decision and I didn’t stay long.
The pieces are falling into place for the ‘chopping board’ trip and I am hoping it won’t be too long now.
Glad to know the ‘retouch’ is there somewhere. I did say there was no hurry.
Enjoyed the virtual hairy chest! 😉