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Tall Ships day out makes a lasting impression
CT journalist Michael Bashford talks about his family day out visiting the Tall Ships
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
enlargeThe word congestion was used consistently in the run-up to the arrival of the Tall Ships in Belfast.
Commuters were warned that travel plans needed to be carefully set out given that over 100,000 people were expected to converge on the city from all parts of Northern Ireland, and beyond, for this wonderful maritime event.
Thankfully things weren’t as bad as made out, despite first day teething difficulties. Traffic ran quite smoothly and there weren’t many problems reported by police.
However, where the word congestion perhaps should have been used was in warning visitors as they arrived at the actual event itself.
Instead of 100,000 visitors you could perhaps treble that.
Between the tightly packed location, to the number of stalls, marquees, stages etc, it was near impossible for my family to get near a Tall Ship.
Yes, we got up close and personal to The Bounty (made famous by Marlon Brando in the film Mutiny on the Bounty), but that was from behind a wired fence as the queue was simply too long for any children under the age of 10 to be expected to bare.
On the other side of the Lagan, at the Odyssey Arena, things weren’t much better as crowds were three deep at the waters edge. Mind you, we did get a glimpse of some of the other wonderful ships on view, and they certainly looked amazing.
But I won’t let these little problems detract from what a fun day it was for my family and how the atmosphere provided by spectators and those working
to bring this spectacle to life was infectious.
Despite the huge numbers, people were as courteous as can be as we all shuffled along between events, bumping into each other in the confined spaces.
Spectacles such as the aircraft extravaganza was fantastic and brought people to a standstill as we all looked to the skies to this aeronautical wonder.
The fairground rides for children were a huge hit while the continental market also worked a roaring trade.
Despite the aforementioned congestion problems you really couldn’t help but be swept up on an occasion which showed Belfast at its best.
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