Strangford & Portrush 25

During my visit to Bangor to see sister Jennifer and family, we made two trips out.

The first of these was to Strangford to have another look at the cottage that Andrew's parents lived in after they left Portrush many years ago. It has been significantly renovated and now looks fairly ready for occupation after a lot of work.

Andrew & Jennifer outside
the cottage on the Lough

Significant renovations
to the rear

Past the cottage to the Lough

After crossing Strangford Lough by ferry, we took the scenic drive up the peninsular and back to Bangor.

Next, we then took a trip up to Portrush to wander the town and reminisce about our life growing up there. We've done this before, but it still remains pretty special and full of memories. Of course, it had to include the harbour, opposite where we used to live, even though we have done this many times before.

Our family home just visible
to the left & behind the lamp posts
although much changed

Ramore Head

Original Lifeboat Station on
the east side of town

The, now rusty, slipway
with memories and a story

Jennifer, Torney, Andrew

East Strand and Arcadia

We stopped, unplanned, at the old lifeboat station, which is now a café, for a coffee. I went outside to take a picture of the rusty slipway, when this guy stood up next to me and said “I used to race cars down this 70 years ago”, Torney!

And that is indeed what we did together in the 50’s. We raced dinky toys, starting with all the rear wheels hooked over the top of the slipway until the "Go" was called. The wheels were lifted and off they went! The slipway was blocked near the water at the bottom with some rocks and grass sods from nearby. On one occasion, the lad at the bottom lifted the block and all the cars ran into the sea, much to every racers' annoyance, and he ran off before we could get to him!

We chatted, laughed, had coffee, caught up and wondered at the statistical likelihood of us meeting by chance like that. His name is actually Thomas, but I recall he couldn’t say that when I met him and he has ever since been known as Torney. He is my oldest friend and we played around the town together as lads and then teenagers, because we were allowed to do so in those days, let out in the morning and getting back when we were ready.

We climbed Ramore Head, although I got told off when fishermen spotted me, passing by on their return to the harbour, then told my father who worked there. We got up to lots of other mischief together for many years. He left for Australia about the time I left for London and then Porthcurno in '65, and we have only seen each other a few times since, the last being over 20 years ago. He lives in Ballycastle and comes to Portrush, like us, from time to time, so it was just an amazing coincidence we came across him by chance.