Flying high

Another shot taken during our short comfort break off the I-65 in Indiana.  I was going to title this 'Mine's bigger than yours' as it's not often the golden arches are outdone, but decided on 'Flying high' instead.

We didn't eat at a McDonalds, but we did a late breakfast stop at an IHOP diner in Lafayette as we stopped to charge up the brother's electric SUV.  The menu ran to about 20 pages with every conceivable option but I eventually settled for a mushroom and spinach omelette which arrived in super-quick time.  It was rather good I have to admit, but was smothered in a little too much cheese - unnecessary, and not terribly healthy.

The fast chargers were outside a Walmart (where else?).  It was my first time being in an electric vehicle and I was impressed - very smooth, very quiet and very fast.  Charging was fairly straightforward - check the App for the closest available chargers, navigate to the location and then drive round the car park for 10 minutes until you spot them.  There were four chargers in this particular location and they were pretty popular, though this was Memorial Weekend so a lot of people were on the move.  Although each charger had two outlets strangely only one worked at any one time (we found this out when another guy showed up and selected the other outlet on our pump...which promptly disconnected us.  He was most apologetic).  We went from 30% charge to about 70% in about 15 minutes but then the rate slowed dramatically.  To get from 70% to 90% took almost as long.  That was more than enough for the 2-hour trip home.  I guess a longer trip would take a bit more planning.  But if there's to be a lot more electric vehicles in the future (as seems to be the case) there's going to need to be a heck of a lot more chargers.  

Back home I see a lot more electric vehicles on our roads.  I think we probably have a near perfect environment for them, as for most people here, a 120-mile round trip to Belfast would be probably be the longest drive most people would make on a semi-regular basis - and generally speaking 95% of journeys are likely to be a lot shorter.  So I think most people with electric vehicles here rarely have to worry about charging up away from their own house.  

Somewhere in Indiana

On the way back from Indianapolis to Aurora we pulled in for a stretch of legs.  It was hot and those highways are a tad relentless, so it was a welcome 10 minutes.  When I saw the flag and then the all-American Airstream trailer I had to take a shot:

FP4+ on Foma 313 paper.

Racing cars

I didn't take many shots at the Indy500, but this one caught my eye as I checked the negatives over the lightbox:

At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
FP4+ on Foma 313 paper.

It was a vague attempt at panning, though when the cars are going past at 200mph that's not so easy.  Anyway, it captured the essence, I think.  Those guys are nuts for not just driving at that speed, but driving so close to each other.  They must have a lot of trust between them.

Lots of signs around the place like 'Welcome to the Racing Capital of the World', 'Thanks for visiting the Racing Capital of the World'.  And who am I to argue with that?  It's certainly the biggest venue I've ever been to.   It's well thought out in the centre of the oval track is where the merchandise stands, food halls,  museum and VIP parking are.  You enter by a short tunnel which runs under the track and you're able to get very close to the action even by just standing in the General Admission areas.  The Brother and I caught a bus from the airport (our hotel was close by) and it was well organised - a fleet of those famous yellow school buses took us (and a few thousand others) right to the track.  Mind you, the bus we were on was the most uncomfortable means of transport imaginable - probably on account of the fact that it was designed for young kids and not 60-something guys with back and hip problems.  I could barely get into the seat and after the hour-or-so's journey I had all but lost the will to live.  Then we faced the task of finding our seat (located just behind the start-finish line) through the multitude of people.  Several times the crowd just ground to a halt for several minutes, before starting up again at a snail's pace.  Eventually, of course, we made it and enjoyed the grandstand view of the action.

The race is over 200 laps, which takes around 2-3 hours, depending on weather conditions, yellow flags, crashes etc.  They run behind a safety car at the slightest hint of rain - understandable give the speeds involved - but it didn't seem too long before they were able to go racing again so there weren't too many hold-ups.

Our driver had informed us that buses would start running back to the airport when there were 50 laps to go so we decided to make a run for it (metaphorically speaking) well before the end in order to avoid the crowds.  That worked well and we got back fairly quickly as the roads were relatively clear.  A hot shower and a cold beer back at the hotel and we began to feel normal again.  What a day and what an experience but I'm not sure we'll be back.  Just too busy for me.  

Magheracross viewing platform

It was a seriously windy day when I took this - there was no-one on the platform and I didn't feel like venturing out on it myself:

I’m just back from visiting The Brother in the US for the first time in a long time (pre-Covid days, remember then?). He waved Indy500 tickets at me and it seemed mean not to accept, so off I went.  Race Day will be remembered for years to come - the venue itself is huge and I think half of America were there that day. That’s how it felt, anyway. It was too busy for me - sure I can barely deal with the crowds in Portstewart on a sunny day.  The racing was good - those guys have nerves of steel, driving at speeds over 200mph in close proximity to each other as well as concrete walls. I took a few shots, but only a few as I was well out of my comfort zone. We’ll see how they turn out.

Dunluce

Out and about, east of Portrush looking over the ruins of Dunluce Castle towards the Causeway:

FP4+ on Foma313

Not quite sure what's happening there on the sky - reticulation, perhaps.  I'm usually pretty careful with my temperatures, though, so it might be something else.

Chaos reigns

Well the twins have passed the one-month mark and as expected, it's been challenging for everyone.  The usual issues with newborns - getting them to feed satisfactorily and trying to get into some sort of pattern where people at the coal face can get some quality sleep.  It was, of course, a major shock to the new mummy and daddy (pictured below) who for the first 30+ years of their lives had no-one really to think about except themselves.  Now they've two little people who depend on them for everything,  7 days a week (and 7 nights as well, of course).  All the grandparents have been heavily involved so that mum and dad can get a break.  Since it's only just over 20 years since we were in that situation with Missy it seems to have come around again pretty quickly - but of course it is a source of joy and my wife and I have loved taking care of the wee ones when the need arises.  Things are already getting better and hopefully that will continue.  Eyes are open more often and there's the beginnings of smiles and baby noises coming forth and that will all help.

I've tried to take some shots but nothing near what I thought might have been possible as it's all hands on deck when we are with them.   I did manage to pull the new parents into the garden one day last week with one of the twins but it was very sunny and a tad contrasty, as you can see.   I shall endeavour to do better before they reach school age.

It's a baby!  FP4+ on Foma 313.

Cruising at sea

I'm still here - just busy busy with the new arrivals at home as well as Missy over there in Newcastle.  Not there for much longer, as it turns out, as a move to Liverpool is imminent.  She's certainly getting around, that one.  We spent the weekend over there, looking at various accommodation options.  Liverpool is a big city and like all cities there are some parts that are best avoided.  So we drove around most of Saturday trying to get a feel for the place.  Back on the ferry yesterday - a day crossing, which dragged for all its 8 hours.  At least you can sleep though it on the night crossing but for some strange reason all the cabins were fully booked and even the recliner seats were all gone for the Sunday night crossing.  I really didn't fancy trying to sleep on the regular seats - hence the change of plan to the day crossing.  This was a last-minute decision so next time we'll try to be more organised and plan ahead.  We're all a bit jaded this morning but it was worth it - always nice to see Missy and we came away feeling like we had identified the area that she would be safest in, with decent transport links to the city campus where she will be based.   

Another view of the front of the Holy Trinity Church in Ballycastle.
Lith print.