The Border: Norn Iron
It used to be road blocks, massive speed humps, block houses with one way bullet proof glass and machine guns manned by soldiers in flak jackets. But now on the main artery linking the Republic with the Six Counties of Norn Iron-the Belfast Dublin road, the only sign that you have crossed from the tyrannry of the South to the orange skies of freedom in the north is a slight change in road texture. Confirmation then comes at the first petrol station with prices in Pounds 35% higher than in the Republic. And, in contrast to the good old days the standard of the trunk road dramatically improves the further south you go.