So Donny got shot in the ear.  I'll not make the comment that I have heard from some over here about the accuracy of the gunman.  No one deserves to be shot, not even Trump.  Perhaps it will make him a little open to arguments about gun control in the states.  I'm pretty sure that the founding fathers vision of the right to carry arms didn't include assault rifles, and that they would never have considered putting the right to carry into the US constitution if they had been able to imagine such weapons. Anyway, I'm sure you have seen some of the ridiculous side stories that have appeared as a result of Donny's ear piercing?  Perhaps he got shot because he was just too slow to react when his secret service guards shouted, "Donald, duck!" 1)   Trump supporters have started wearing bandages on their ears as a show of support!  I have to admit that I did a double take on this when I first saw it.  It is a sign of their love apparently!...

 Just to prove that I'm not a completely grumpy old git, I thought I should report on two short trips that we did since our stay at The Ballygally Hotel (Hastings Hotel Group).  See this post for my rather disappointed review of that hotel:   Yet another gripe. (oldandireland.blogspot.com) . Both of these hotels were around the same price, and probably a bit cheaper than the Ballygally, yet were infinitely superior in every respect.  What's not to like? 1)  The Salthouse, Ballycastle:   The Salthouse Hotel | Luxury Hotel in Ballycastle, Co Antrim This is a new hotel set on a hill just outside the town of Ballycastle.  It has tremendous views north to Rathlin Island which is about three miles off shore, and to the Scottish Isles and coast beyond that.  Both Isla and Jura are visible on a good day.  Look west, and you will see Donegal, on the East the cliffs of Fairhead.  It is a stunning setting.  The rooms are comfortable,...

  I mentioned previously that we built an extension onto our house last year.   The work only finished around the start of November, so this summer there has been some remedial work to be done outside.   Before I get into the project at hand, a little background info might make me reasoning clearer.   Our house was built in the early 1960’s, and when we first moved in everything needed to be done.   There was no central heating, the kitchen was the original early 60’s one, no insulation, etc. etc.   At the edge of the front driveway, someone had built (very badly) a raised flower bed with two rows of old granite cobble stones.   It was just the right height so that the car door banged on it every time we parked in the narrow drive, so it had to go.   Meanwhile in the back garden was a large mound that was covered with weeds.   I presumed it was just soil or perhaps builder’s rubble.     When I eventually got time to dea...

 Today is polling day here in the UK for Westminster elections.  The picture above is real.  It is on a lamppost outside Belfast's Lanyon Place railway station, and is perhaps the most accurate comment I have seen so far about this election.   Still, the right to vote is not available to everyone in this world, and is important, so if you are in the UK  make sure to use your vote to select the least worst Muppet available to you.  Remember, if you don't vote, you can't complain about the mob that do eventually get into Westminster!  :-)