RHH's photos

This was taken from the north shore of Belfast Lough near Blackhead Point. We had walked from the town of Whitehead to the lighthouse on Blackhead Point. The view is to the east with Island Magee and the Irish Sea visible in the distance.

Carrickfergus Castle is on the north shore of Belfast Lough not far from the city of Belfast. It was built in 1177 by John de Courcy and was in use as an armory, air-raid shelter and garrison until 1928 when it became a public attraction. We visited the castle twice on our recent trip to Northern Ireland, the first time with our daughter and the second with her and a visitor from Washington. The second time we toured the inside of the castle, something I had not done since the 1990's when we lived in Northern Ireland.

When in Northern Ireland this past summer we twice visited Carrickfergus Castle, the second time with the visitor from Washington. With her we toured the inside of the castle, something I had not done for many years. The photo shows the main hall of the castle which is still used for events. The castle was built in 1177 by John de Courcy on the north shore of Belfast Lough and remained in use until 1928 as a garrison, air-raid shelter and armory.. It is now a tourist attraction.

When we were in Northern Ireland recently we visited the waterfront and the old shipyards where the Titanic was built. This is the view from Queen's Quay over the River Lagan.

When in Northern Ireland recently we visited the waterfront area and the old shipyards there, this replica Spanish galleon, the Andalucia was docked along the waterfront. We did not go aboard but did get a few photos of the ship.

This is the Heddal Stave Church near Notodden, Norway. It was built at the beginning of the Thirteenth Century and is made entirely of wood, the name, Stave Church, referring to the wooden pillars that support the church. The church has been restored twice, inadequately in the 1850's and again in the 1950's. It is still in use as a parish church but not in winter because of the difficulty in heating the building. We visited the church on our way back to Oslo near the end of our Norway trip.

Heddal Stave Church is the largest of Norway's remaining stave churches. It is constructed entirely of wood and was built around the beginning of the Thirteenth Century near Notodden. Restoration work on the church was done in the 1850's and again in the 1950's. The name, "Stave Church," refers to the wooden pillars that support the church. We visited the church on our way back to Oslo near the end of our Norway trip.

Sverd i fjell (Swords in Stone) is an impressive monument near Stavanger, Norway. It is on the shore of Hafrsfjord and commemorates a naval battle fought there in A.D. 872. In that battle King Harald Fairhair defeated a coalition of petty kings and united Norway under his rule. We visited the monument as we left Stavanger and headed back to Oslo.

Sverd i Fjell, (Swords in Stone) is an impressive monument near Stavanger, Norway. It commemorates the naval Battle of Hafrsfjord in A.D. 872, when Harald Fairhair defeated a coalition of kings and united Norway under his rule. The monument is on a rocky outcrop in Hafrsfjord.