Well that was… spectacular!

I thought I knew what a busy day at Dock Cafe looked like… but after last weekend, I can see I knew nothing – NOTHING!  On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Dock Cafe was the place to be for hundreds and hundreds of visitors to the Titanic Maritime Festival – particularly on Monday, when the heavens opened with a colossal sun shower and about two hundred people simultaneously said to each other “Oh, where’s warm and dry? – well what about that little cafe over there?!”

Each day, despite ordering every scone, cake and bun in existence from Stan the Baker, food supplies started to run a bit low by mid-afternoon (or as you can see ran out completely on Monday!) – but still the customers kept coming, just grateful to find somewhere comfy to rest their legs and grab a cuppa.  Countless hundreds of people saw our collection of Drawing Office artefacts, or took a moment of quiet in the Prayer Garden, or sat down with their families and friends to enjoy a catch-up.  And everyone – everyone – who hadn’t been before was swept away by the concept of the Honesty Box.

Our regulars now know how the Honesty Box works without having to be reminded, and so it was fun to have to explain the whole concept anew to customers – again, and again, and again…

How much is this?  – Whatever you want to give, just pop it in the box by the pillar.  –  What, even the scones?  – Yep, we’re an Honesty Box cafe, no price list , it’s totally up to you.  (Baffled pause)  But how do you survive?  – Very nicely thanks, Belfast people are honest people!  – That’s amazing… is this some sort of religious thing?!

We also had a roaring trade at Elaine’s Belgian Waffle Hut – our most successful pop-up market yet!  (and the waffles were yummy)

The only problem with the whole weekend was that I didn’t even get near any of the boats, activities or markets – there was too much to do!  (So thanks to Wesley for this photo!)

But to all the volunteers, helpers, visitors and Dock crew (including Grace, who you can see here cleaning the tables – it’s slave labour in this place!) – a massive thank you for working together to make an unforgettable weekend.

Looking around the packed, buzzing cafe, it’s hard to believe that all this happens entirely due to the hard work of willing volunteers – the whole team can be immensely proud.

It’s all very maritime at the TQ for the next couple of days…

First up of course it’s the Maritime Heritage Weekend – Saturday/Sunday/Monday at the Odyssey and Titanic Quarter are going to be packed with lovely old tall ships and other historic boats, along with stalls, markets, kids’ entertainment and festivally stuff.

Just checking back through my old videos and found some footage of the last Maritime Heritage Festival 2 years ago – which gives you an idea of what to expect (if this weekend is just as sunny!)

Except that… if you checked out the video you maybe noticed some rather mournful-looking deserted retail units behind the dancing pirates and brass bands – retail units which are now thriving with life thanks to the Dock and the Mace.  This weekend The Dock will have extended opening hours – 11-7 Saturday, 2-7 Sunday and 11-7 Monday – to enjoy being right at the heart of all the festival events.  There will be Belgian waffles and craft stalls in the pop-up market.  The deckchairs will be out (because it will be sunny, yes it will).  The guys at the Mace are bringing in an extra ice-cream kiosk.  In a thousand little different ways the TQ community is transformed since that last maritime festival – there’s now coffee bars, local shops, cash points, market stalls, prayer gardens, local history, art, colour, conversation, light, life…

In the video you might’ve also noticed a big white tent – under which was lurking the partly-restored SS Nomadic.  Today the railings came down and the final few tarps came off – she is only a few days away from the Grand Opening on 31st May (102 years to the day since she left Belfast for the first time), with the gates being thrown open to the public on 1st June.

(If you’re on the Dock email list you’ll already have received an invite to a special preview visit – if you’re not on the list, send me your email address now!  But in case you’re wondering – every first-come-first-served ticket for the visit was snapped up within an hour or two – I’ve never had such a lightning response to a Dock email!)

I’ve had a little dig around in my photo and video library for records of all my visits to Nomadic over the years of her restoration.  From being there on the day the doors were closed to the public back in 2010 – through a hard-hat tour when she was being bare-metalled – to the day when we watched the funnel being lowered down onto the vessel – to last week when some of the Dock team were given an exclusive sneak peek of the lovingly-restored interior – it’s been quite a journey!

On that day when the doors were closed, I made a little Dock video called Nomadic Days (still worth a watch!).  And now in 2013 it’s great to be able to say – Nomadic Days Are Here Again!

The removal of the railings around Nomadic has also unveiled a lovely little feature right outside Dock Cafe’s window – 3 metal figures (I think it’s Charlie Chaplin, a French passenger and a stoker) who all are connected to Nomadic’s story. I couldn’t resist the photo op – the Chaplain meets Chaplin…?

A treat for you this week: a few descriptions of The Dock as seen through the eyes of some of our visitors and volunteers.

This fantastic review by blogger Kooky Miss Match appeared on her site over the weekend.  I’ll reproduce it here in full – and I hope that Tegan, Timmy & all the Dock volunteers feel really encouraged – what other cafe (or church?!) gets a review like this!

The Dock: A living room to the world
Posted on May 18 2013

“Trendy titbits and indie aura, The Dock in Titanic Quarter is the new cool hangout spot in Belfast. Close enough to escape the buzz of Belfast City Centre, just a brisk walk across the Lagan bridge opens up a calm picturesque surrounding which hosts the homely café. Not that you would need anything to adoringly look at other than the quirky interior of the vintage feel tea room.

I was intrigued approaching The Dock as I had heard so much about it, mistakenly thinking it was a boat (I do not know how or why…moving swiftly on!). The enthusiastic friendly staff informed me and my two class mates that due to the MACE opening next door they were no longer able to serve food, but welcomed us to come back for a cosy cuppa with our food. There was an option of exotic teas and varied coffees but due to the sudden pour down of torrential rain and cold weather (typical) Kelly and I opted for a hot chocolate while Aimee went for Chai tea. Not only did the staff enlighten customers with interesting chatty conversation but also gave hints and tips of the tastes and what milk complements the unfamiliar teas, which for an unadventurous tea drinker is very much appreciated!

The Dock is unique: a pop-up space for community, conversation and Life in the Titanic Quarter. Furnished in a fusion of old and new, we call it Victorian-Edwardian-Industrial-Pop-Up-Chic.

The miss matching cups gave the feel of the family kitchen cupboard, likewise the comfy furniture is no different to what you would find in a regular living room. However it all works, collectively stylishly giving passers by a chance of ultimate relaxation and escape from the busy goings on of the world; and be at home, when they can’t go home.

The Dock humbly does not charge for it’s product, there is an honesty box situated away from the view of the front desk asking to kindly give a donation. The Dock is church run by a team from various church backgrounds justifying the beauty of it all, acceptance. There is opportunity for comers and goers to add their own mark to the wholesome hangout. There is a visitors book to share your experience and a majestic prayer garden where people have left notes with quotes, letters and general gratitude to the infectious generosity and kindness of the café. The Dock doesn’t have a typical crowd, culture or belief. It has a worldly universal feel, attracting people from all walks of life, in fact walking around and reading the notes and letters I felt like I had gained a new perspective on Belfast from people travelling from USA, Thailand, Portugal and many more. Despite the fact that people have visited from far and wide, the mutual feeling is a relaxed piece of mind. When you leave The Dock you will not only have the pleasure of a hot cuppa, but a new favourite place and a glow of positivity…visit, experience it, love it, recommend it!

I know this is a fashion blog but there is no doubt inspiration sparks at any time and this place is truly inspiring. The interior is homely and undeniably chic. Of course the uplifting feeling came from the friendly kindness of The Dock but being fashion students it was obvious the topic came into conversation and we couldn’t help but think how stunning a photo shoot would be in this whimsical setting. All I can say is watch this space, in next to no time everyone will be besotted with the delightful dock café.”

The rain falls relentlessly on Belfast.  The city looks grey, washed-out.  Damp shoppers run from one refuge to the next, soggy and uncomfortable.

But somewhere in the city there is a little oasis of warmth and light and laughter.  Somewhere with great scones and squashy sofas.  Somewhere you can watch the rain beat against the huge picture windows and wonder why on Earth anyone would be out there on a day like this.

Somewhere that you can get lost in a board game

Or join the knitters and knatterers

Or settle in for the day and get your teeth into the epic challenge of a mammoth jigsaw

Somewhere there’s always something interesting in the pop-up market

And where the Chaplain just might be crazy enough to do the Pilgrimage Walk at Titanic Belfast if anybody turned up from one of the more waterproof nationalities (go Belgians and Scots!!)

Somewhere that’s always getting better, looking for ways to expand and improve (the Dock DIY team spent the day sweeping and painting the floor ready for Dock Cafe to expand – it’s getting BIIGGGGGERRRR….!)

Somewhere that allows to you to eat your piece in peace (today our new sign went up in the TQ Mace, so that anyone buying a fresh deli sandwich or hot food in the shop knows that seats, tables, plates, knives and forks await them right next door)

Wouldn’t a place like that be a great spot to while away a rainy day?  Wouldn’t it in fact be a little slice of heaven on Earth?

I’m a man of few words, as y’know…. so for today I’m going to let the pictures do the talking.  It’s been a busy, exciting, joyful month of Life in the Titanic Quarter – here are some of the highlights:

There was the day I joined some of the lads from TQ Ltd and the Mace to try TQ’s latest greatest water sport: wakeboarding at the end of Titanic Slipways.

(In the interests of responsible journalism, I should point out that any pictures of someone successfully wakeboarding must be one of the other guys, as I spent most of the time upside down in the Lagan.  I can report that it tastes clean, but salty.)

Speaking of responsible journalism, this blog has won a prize!  Click here for details of The Dock’s website and blog victories.

The pic shows Annette, our Diocesan Communications Officer, accepting our prize at General Synod.

The Dock Pop-Up Market is proving to be a bit of a hit – we’ve had great stalls recently like Steph’s charm-ing jewellery (left) and on Saturday you’ve got another chance to bag a bargain at Anabel’s craft stall (right).

Loads more great stalls coming up over the next few weeks – like knits (created by Sip/Sit/Knit, our very own Friday-morning knitting group) and home-made Belgian waffles!

If you’ve got something worth selling, make sure you grab an application form in The Dock – it might be the start of something great!  (As long as your product is better than the “multifunctional” grey box on wheels in The Apprentice last week.)

My two worlds collided this week when St Clements – the friendly Belfast parish who keep me out of mischief when I’m not at The Dock – called in for a visit and a tour of the TQ:

And it was great to see some familiar faces from Holywood (where I worked before my life changed forever when The Dock began in late 2009).  If, like St Clem or the Holywood gang, you’d like to book a group in for a cuppa in the cafe, a tour of the area and an update on the story of the Dock, just get in touch!

Speaking of Holywood, Andy (who was one of the brilliant youth leaders in the church when I was there) got married a few weeks ago; as well as being very honoured to perform the ceremony, I also had a blast at the reception – which happened to be in a wee gaff just up the road called Titanic Belfast.  What a spectacular place for a wedding reception!  (And has anybody ever been to a function upstairs without coming home with at least one Grand Staircase photo?)

One of the great joys of Dock life – introducing people to each other – making connections across our ever-expanding community.  Just one of the hundreds of chance encounters that happen every day: the new Nomadic visitor crew (nearly there now… nearly there now…) meeting the Titanic Foundation team in The Dock:

And a gorgeous moment from today: a group using the Prayer garden for a little gathering with visitors from Portugal.  Songs and prayers in both Portuguese and English echoing across the cafe as we were closing up for the day:

And finally, a few more snapshots of Dock life.  A hen party (a sensible, non-scary one) in The Dock… deckchairs on a sunny day… chess tournaments stretching out all afternoon… Segway tours whirring past…

This is the life, eh!