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The same to yourself Hotdog and all the survivors - there's not that many of us now.
For those that are still "on board" Happy New Year - I can't think what would make things start this year but let us hope at least that we might see a little Divi.
Good luck all and my best wishes for the New Year which up here is going to be quite interesting so far as the Assembly is concerned.
Chris Meyers seems positively euphoric at the prospect of a Britain freed from the constraints imposed by Europe and the discipline of the single market.
Our modern day Ivanhoe like Moses is promising to lead the nation to the sunny uplands that is "The Promised Land" of milk and honey (Universal Credit) that is so attractive to migrants from all over the Middle East.
Europe is dying indeed, due to Nil birthrates making the economy so weak that they maintain 0% interest rates - where are the UK's interest rates ? when were they last increased ? and as for growth the UK considers 3% a boom when the normal rate is less than 2% for the last ten years and set to fall.
I have to say though that I am in awe of Boris's ambition as expressed over the last while and today in Parliament. He is going to do so much - no doubt he has already pencilled in the bonus that he can achieve by pushing Northern Ireland into the arms of a reluctant Irish Republic, now that he can blame on the DUP.
I give him two years before he crashes the economy and calls an election - the Brexit party spoof certainly worked - attacking Labour from two sides was a brilliant strategy, which so far does not seem to have dawned on the electorate and certainly not all those Labour voters who lent him their votes, because they voted for Brexit anyway.
I am old enough to remember when there were four Dollars to the Pound, now it's just over one. When there really was full employment all over the UK practically - when Harlesden, Cricklewood, Kentish Town, Shepherds Bush, Camden Town - well most of north and south London had large Irish populations.
Not to mention many large cities all over the UK like Birmingham,Manchester, Nottingham and Liverpool - who has replaced them especially in north and south London?
I remember the I M F being called in to bail out the country, and since an accelerating rate of businesses being sold off together with much London property, no doubt to balance the books. I hope nobody thinks that I am the harbinger of doom, because that is not what I wish for old Britannia, but it troubles me that so much employment is now in the hands of overseas investors whose manufacturing plants were created or bought over in order to access the european market.
I am afraid that it is a mistake to assume that because so many people buy EU cars, somehow the EU will buckle at the thought that imports will cease for BMW's and Merc's etc. It is equally of concern that the likes of Honda,Toyota, Nissan and the other car makers like Jaguar, Rolls, Bentley and the dear old mini will fall from the enfeebled hands of their German owners.
We will see what happens over the next year or two - as the situation both here and in Scotland takes shape - the Colleen and I may yet have to move south of the border - good job we can do so, great golf courses.
Good luck all.
Ahh well - I suppose that you can't please everyone - even at Christmas...
Boy Lidl's sell an excellent Spanish red "Baturrica" we bought it to go into the red cabbage because it wasn't too expensive - about a fiver. I'm going in tomorrow for another few bottles.
Good luck all.
Having been away most of the day - engaged in leisure activities - I was very disappointed to see that this board has turned hostile, due to the presence of a "Gaul" for whom a new day has apparently dawned. Having lived through Margaret Thatcher's reign I am obliged to say that I have heard all that tosh before and know how it ends.
Now especially for Radar and Martin.
The teacher in the junior school at Christmas was delighted with herself - all her little pupils were bringing her cards and some of them (those who could afford it) were bringing her presents.
The first little boy's parents who were Scottish, owned a grocery, when he gave her his little box the Teacher said "thank you Alister for this wonderful box of Shortbread" - how did you know just by shaking it he said ? I'm your teacher I know everything.
The next gift was from a little girl whose parents owned a sweet and tobacco shop - shaking the beautifully wrapped box the teacher said "Thank you Emily for you lovely gift of chocolates" - how did you know Miss just by shaking it ? - "I'm your teacher and I know everything.
Her third gift was presented to her in a shoe box by a little boy whose parents owned an Off-Licence - With some enthusiasm the teacher took the box and gave it a shake which produced a brownish liquid - "Is this a bottle of Port David?" she asked, whilst sticking her finger into the liquid fearing that the cork had come out. No Miss - "Is it a bottle of Buckfast Tonic then ? this time trying to identify the tipple with three fingers worth of sampling....
"No Miss it's a puppy.
Good luck lads and lassies....
25 Euros would do me nicely, then I could cash out altogether - beside the shares, I have a deposit account which feels as though it costs me. The cheque book has not been opened for years, they must have nearly forgotten me in Wicklow.
I wish that I had the patience to debate with Wee Denisanthony but I gave up trying to educate pork when I lived in the west country my dear "where they is strong in thee arm but weak in the head"
Highest prison population in europe, Highest rates of STD's in Europe, Largest number of "Neets"(Not in education or training) Highest figures for Innumeracy and so on.
Think the colleen and I just managed to get out in time - and we lived in Torquay.
Good luck all...
No doubt the Americans and the City will try and squeeze the EU with the emphasis on try - don't much chance of Europe caving in though. With twenty seven nations in the block and two of the top five economies in the world at the centre PLUS all those lovely US company's like KFC, Macdonalds and Starbucks all over the place, PLUS their overseas companies based in Europe they won't want to rock the boat too much.
Meetings at Stormont start this week to the accompaniment of a Facebook item entitled "The Sound of Stormont" - must play about with this thing to see how I can forward a link. I shall be thinking of the item as I view the post meeting comments - the Unionist faces should be worth seeing - not quite anguish more like impotence.
Now early start tomorrow, to see my grandsons Christmas concert in Belfast now that it is a Dodd's free zone - yippee..
Good luck all...
Well I got my wish so far as the trees are concerned AND our little share has put on a touch of buoyancy - let's see now if the sail can catch a breath of wind.
North Down and South Belfast are good results with progress being made by the Alliance which shows that the first shoots of adult politics have found a fertile furrow. With the Assembly elections coming on in about three months the cough on the DUP will be well softened this time.
Quite why the election result is seen optimistically by the city is anybody's guess, for those that can remember Margaret and the destruction that her monetarist policies caused during her reign - the thought that the city might be given free rein again makes me very glad that I have withdrawn from the fray.
The DUP have much to answer for in this province, which for once is a good thing, since their actions and wilful neglect of their constituents is now coming home to roost and best of all has cost them their majority. The defenestration of another of their party by the Parliamentary standards committee will hopefully happen in the new year along with the sanctioning of Arlene when the assembly resumes.
All that happening in a fresh and invigorated assembly makes the conversation about "closer" links with the republic less of a pipe dream. There will be rumblings of course up here from the awkward squad but that was always going to happen. They are easy to confuse and always seek leadership, which has lead them thanks to the DUP nowhere in the past, with the decay that has set in here with the NHS and the Assembly, they have become frustrated enough to look for alternative form of leadership - which does not mean Tioc Faidh Ah Lah.
There is an opportunity now and a window which will allow progress to be made following the expressed wish and success of the Scots Nats, which is making the Unionists ( Ulster Scots ) of every shade very uneasy.
We should not be talking about a United Ireland YET - but the Irish government should make all the right noises so far as their "jilted" neighbour is concerned, they are now much more receptive because of recent events not to say apprehensive as regards their future.
The best thing that could happen for them is to shake off their culture of dependency NOW, because it will lessen the pain later as Brexit works through the system and they have to stand on their own feet.
Good luck all..
The UK exit poll has put them back in with a majority - the effect of that up here and in Scotland will be quite interesting - as will the re-development of The Assembly if one or two big trees get the chop.
Somebody said the pound has risen as well.......
Good luck all..
El-Gelboy - the main reason that so little has been posted - we've said it all.
The stupidity that is running riot these days on both sides of the Atlantic together with the comical performance of the city, whilst we wait for the election results, knowing that just as in the south little will change, has sucked the life out of the board.
We are going through a period that is boringly painful and being made worse by the lack of any performance by the public services on both sides of the Irish border.
To much time has been wasted on Brexit and grandstanding in Parliament and the Dail - as for the Assembly I am beginning to despair that this place will ever be run properly using the tribal system of voting.
Is it any wonder that we have lost our sense of humour whilst we wait for some adults to be elected.
Amen.....
Good luck all.
Mr Mac - once again I am indebted to you - not sure where I posted too now but have a pre-addressed envelope - unless I threw it out, must have a look to see if I did, but will have another go for the few shillings.
Many thanks....
Perhaps there is a reason to be a little hopeful - Theresa May was running away with things in the opinion polls and we know how that ended. Boris scores a flop because of his bus advertisement still being remembered and the Lib's rise from their ashes - some hope. OR Alliance do for some of the DUP candidates and SDLP take out a few shinners and lo and behold the sun starts to shine.
Must remember to light a candle in the morning......
Election coming late spring on the island following the re-population of the Assembly with some new blood after the election in February breathes new life up here.
Maybe I should light two candles....
Good luck all....