In 1944, as an Englishman, I was welcomed into an Ulster Protestant family with liberal views, and if you read a piece entitled James, you will see the level of that liberalism. This is not a detailed sortie into Irish history, just a preface to the pieces concerning the Northern Ireland troubles which will be… Continue reading Belfast, The Period of the Tooubles, An Overview.
Manipulation Generally, also in Politics
The incredible circus, which has been built up around what I believe to be an unnecessary inquest on Princess Diana, must be hell for the Princes and her close friends. It would certainly not be at the request of the Queen, and so one assumes that the press, with the paparazzi, have engineered this for… Continue reading Manipulation Generally, also in Politics
Phantom Christmas
The appearance of a flyer on my front doormat on the first of October made me realise how very much Christmas has become degraded. A local restaurant was advertising Christmas lunches and dinners at reasonable rates, presumably to kick off about now, I haven’t checked because it is not Christmas yet. Christmas for the elderly… Continue reading Phantom Christmas
Odds and Ends, 4
Irony In High Places Stormont is our seat of Devolved Government in Northern Ireland. It is there our elected representatives determine what is good for us. There are some, with an extreme Republican brief, who wish to and are allowed to conduct their affairs in Irish, to the annoyance of the majority which either has… Continue reading Odds and Ends, 4
Belfast ’61 to ’69. The Iveco Motor-Home
When I retired we thought I would fix up a towing van but it was beyond it. we went looking for a replacement, and finally decided on a motor-home, telephoned the character who had tendered for the repair of the caravan. I told him what I proposed but he said what I needed was what… Continue reading Belfast ’61 to ’69. The Iveco Motor-Home
Belfast 61 to 69, Caravans and Second Homes.
There is, rightly, concern for the loss of land to spec and council building. In the 30’s, in any industrial town, there was street after street of ‘two-up-two-down houses, full of people and children. – 75 to the acre, the legacy of the Industrial Revolution. In ’46 people were being housed in caravan parks and… Continue reading Belfast 61 to 69, Caravans and Second Homes.
Random Thoughts 44, Criticism.
Criticism often says more about the critic than the person or idea being criticised Every now and again it doesn’t do any harm to examine the reasons for what one does, in other words being self-critical. This then caused me to think of criticism in the round, and one of its attributes is that it… Continue reading Random Thoughts 44, Criticism.
Belfast ’61 to ’69, All about 15.
Buying 15 Having got Number 18 exactly as we wanted it, inside and out, it was obviously time to move. Sophie saw a board outside Number 15; virtually that was that, except for the protracted negotiations. leading nowhere. Then a friend, suggested if we quoted another similar property, stated we were interested in vying for… Continue reading Belfast ’61 to ’69, All about 15.
Belfast ’61 to ’69, Talk of Parties
“Any Fool Can Cook ” – a certain party stopper We were entertaining old friends to dinner, we had all eaten and drunk well, the conversation was slowing and some guests started to eulogise the meal and others felt left out if they didn’t – we all knew, my wife Sophie’s excellent cooking capabilities. I… Continue reading Belfast ’61 to ’69, Talk of Parties
Random Thoughts, Pure Blether
The puppet masters who have been working George Bush, have surpassed themselves, they have actually got him believing he is a world leader, to the extent that he has chaired a summit of some 16 nations to discuss the subject, global warming, that he is wriggling to avoid tackling. The problem is the people who… Continue reading Random Thoughts, Pure Blether