I know we are, we are the lucky ones … (Lyrics “Lucky” by Bif Naked)
When we booked TitanCon, we wanted to join the coach tour and visit film locations together with Miltos Yerolemou and Kristian Nairn. Never give up hope: got from No. 5+6 on the coach tour waiting list to be bus passengers this very day!
This is MUCH better than ordinary ring card girls, isn't it? 😉
First coach stop: Tollymore Forest – what a beautiful place. I can understand why they did shoot several of the Game of Thrones scenes here.
This is the view the wolf pups had ...
Our group passed some families on the way, one little boy, staring at us in amazement, said to his father:”Ohh, look – millions of people!”
We visited all the locations where something/someone took their last breath:” Here died the stag”, “… and here is the place where the dead dire wolf …” Phil also showed us where the Other finished the poor ranger in the woods (first episode) – even staged the scene together with Kristian Nairn.
Great walk, just ONE downside: we got rained upon a bit. Poor Kristian – he trusted the weather forecast …
The Others aren't so different from us! They even wear jeans.
Rooflessness
Yay warm and dry bus! Next stop: Inch Abbey (King of the North!) and according to Phil also the place where Catelyn Stark slapped Jaime Lannister … hard. Err – where are all the roofs??
This time our group passed some cows on the way, staring at us in amazement … 😉 As a bonus, the rain finally stops and there are some ripe blackberries to be found.
Some serious fighting and feasting
And on to our last stop: Castle Ward, the courtyard of Winterfell. We were greeted by several fearless warriors from the Clann Ulaidh who were banging their swords on their shields. Life is good. Surprise: Art was there as well, together with his parents and brothers. After our fearless greeting delegation warriors have shown us their fighting skills, some of the extras and the actors talk about where what was filmed. Since the shooting of the first Game of Thrones series things have changed in Castle Ward, like there is a lot less straw lying around. 🙂
There is time to walk around and have a look. Kristian is sitting around in his T-Shirt, at least the tip with the hot air hand dryer in the toilet does help a bit … Later at the feast he is almost dry. A lovely idea is the medieval archery workshop: 3 shots for everybody who is interested. Art is a darn good bowman – he must have this from his Mom and Dad. My Husband does well, too! I shoot the lawn at the first try – it just looked suspicious. I swear.
But now: Ladies and Gentlemen, THE FEAST! There was song and laughter, wine and roasted pork, chicken, several kinds of salad and bread. The 2 girls who filled the plates with food were wearing blue gloves, what of course immediately resulted in Firefly quotes:”Two by two, their hands are blue …”
Did I mention what an awfully nice family Art has? I do now. We were offered seats, fresh cups and wine and chatted with Art’s Mom while Art was supplying everybody with “Enslaved by Peadar Ó Guilín” printed on it. By the way: Peadar certainly is the funniest and friendliest enslaver I’ve met so far …
Time to say …
Back to Belfast where we disbanded: some went home or to their hotel and the hard core went to the next pub. What a weekend! Could do this again. It is always fun to meet nice people. Big thanks for the impressive organizing and the entertaining hosting. Greetings to NI, Ireland, Sweden, England and Cologne!
P.S. Hope that nobody of the coach passengers did get a cold – Kristian? Are you hale and hearty? 🙂
Pictures? What about more pictures?
Here are a few more photos we took as long as our camera did let us:
Our fearless welcoming committee, the Clann Ulaidh!
Actors, Re-Enactors and Phil at the court where the Lannister coach arrived ...
Ladies and Gentlemen: Miltos Yerolemou!
Just outside Castle Ward: Find all 5 Parkinson family members, if you can!
Three-fifths of the Parkinson family.
Yes, it is still cold - especially in a T-shirt. Note the wet trouser legs ...
Swinging swords around is a really good way to get warm again!
There already are some really nice pictures taken by some really nice people out there:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacmac/sets/72157627766620918/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mollydot/6196807732/in/photostream/
And there also seems to be some video material from the 2nd Game of Thrones panel:
the english blog 