BELFAST Northern Ireland

We sailed into Belfast through thick rain and fog - which lifted to let the sun shine on Queens College, Belfast Castle, Stormont (Northern Ireland's stunning Parliament building), and neighborhoods both Catholic and Protestant. They say that Belfast is being rejuvenated since "the troubles" ended in 1998, but it doesn't feel that way. The beautiful buildings are marred by disturbing murals of terrorists in masks with machine guns, and "the troubles" are a lot more than troubles - more like a war that still simmers. The photo above is of the "peace wall" erected temporarily because the sides keep attacking each other. The wall's height has been raised twice since it was built, and it is really ugly. Beautiful public gardens dot the streets, but the residential areas are cold and unlandscaped. Discouraged and disillusioned, we set out to find the house at 9 Malone Road, where Bill's Irish relatives lived for generations and where Bill visited as a child and as a student at Oxford. The house, now divided into twelve apartments, brought joy to our hearts and happy memories for Bill..