Hello and welcome to Belfast, my hometown!

As it looks like more ships might be heading our way instead of to Bonny Scotland this summer, I thought I’d do a little post on things to look out for when sailing in

As you turn into Belfast Lough there are lighthouses on either side. To the left, Donaghadee Lighthouse in County Down

And on the right Blackhead Lighthouse, which is of course in Whitehead – I didn’t say I was going to make it easy! The lough is about 4 or 5 miles across here so chances of seeing both lighthouses are slim

In the summer months you might get lucky and spot a dolphin or two around Whitehead, so worth keeping an eye out, here’s one I painted earlier

Further along on the right hand side you may spot Carrickfergus Castle right on the waters edge

My Dad used to keep a boat in the Marina here, the only wildlife I remember seeing were thousands of jellyfish in big mats floating on the surface. But right across the lough there is Bangor in County Down where Queenie the Bangor Kingfisher took up residence earlier this year

You will sail past the gorgeous beaches at Crawfordsburn, Helens Bay and Holywood, yes we have our own Holywood and Superstar Van Morrison lives near there, and on up to Belfast where hopefully you’ll dock in sight of the Titanic Museum

You will however be able to see our iconic yellow Harland & Wolff Cranes, there’s 2 of them, Samson and Goliath, but only one in this photo taken from Ruby Princess, I think, a few years back. That’s the shipyard that built the Titanic, and here’s a mock up of her against a modern cruise ship

It would be lovely if you were able to get off and wander around our great little city, I’d maybe even meet you, buy you a bag of dulse (seaweed it’s gorgeous) or let you buy me a drink in Cathedral Quarter…