Belfast is intricately bricked history sloping toward sea. Their beautifully aged patina pulled us toward them, and the walk from uptown and through the architectural beauty of both former banks and masonic temples felt like a short stroll.
A former brick mason and a woman–coupled with a new interest in history and a former love of art and architecture–made Belfast a sure fit for another quaint harbourside town adventure.
Aren’t they just lovely?! It takes no imagination to see a couple strolling past these carefully laid brick buildings. She’s in a gown that’s length is gently dragging behind her and he’s wearing tails and a top hat….it’s 1799 after all. Truly, the building opposite of the former masonic temple above was built in that long-gone era.
This. All of these beautiful towns have a uniquely beautiful harbor and town green after following the slope downward to the open sea.
We followed the shoreline under rocks left bare by low tide to see the boat’s view of Belfast’s Millionaire Row homes and speculated whether or not they were owners of “old money”.
We started uptown in search of beef or pork or anything not-seafood. At the top of town, the beef hungry man got up the nerve to ask a native that looked like he enjoyed burgers for a recommendation. Down at the harbor. The search for “real meat” was enthusiastic enough to turn a man who likes only to do loops (so the steps don’t need to be retraced) to retrace his steps for this manly, meaty, monstrous….
Beef burger with bacon. Win-win. He was so happy, he shared a bite.
I asked him. I would’ve given him the very best bite of my amazing beet salad with mandarins, goat cheese, and walnuts. He said no. I wasn’t sure what to do except enjoy every bite myself. So I did.
I finally started a book, curled up with a cup of Earl Grey in the modern attic suite in this sweet 1890s Airbnb carriage house in uptown Belfast. Mrs. Mike had me laughing out loud within the first few pages…
And there she was squeezing lemon into the hot water, and there he was stirring it around. Shouldn’t someone mention that there was no tea in it, or was that impolite?”And you, Katherine Mary, how do you like yours?” With tea, I almost said. But I was glad I didn’t, she enjoyed entertaining us so much. “I’d like sugar,” I said……and, holy St. Patrick, there’s nothing worse tasting than hot water with two teaspoons of sugar in it.
Maybe it’s just me. If that doesn’t do anything for you, I feel sorry. Though it may be me I should feel sorry for: it’s been much too long since I’ve read a book simply for pleasure because I’m giggling about it again now just thinking about it.
Back downtown to the Chocolate Drop Candy Shoppe for a malted milkshake and a cone, every adult’s glimpse of the childhood soda shop dream that was actually reality. SO good. I think we were hungry. And thinking of candy, I was asked if the Airbnb’s have specialty candy they put out for guests. Nope, I had answered, just Reese’s and Dove chocolates that I put in a bowl at the lakehouse and now again at this location. The man cracks me up.
And with ice cream in hand, happy as kids, we walked down to the harbor to see the magical way the sun turns water into gleaming, rippled glass. Sun setting over water is something I will never tire of. I decided today I want to grow old beside a body of water. I’ll need to start researching how to become part of this abundance of old money if I want more than a pond.
Coming up….a tour of the carriage house studio apartment and a ferry ride from Lincolnville to Isleborough, a little island only reachable by boat with the summer homes of Kirstie Alley and John Travolta. And, a sweet lighthouse.