Norn Iron

[Dexter St. Clair]

I hear that the N.I. elections were a bit of a shambles.
Wet voting slips (it seems they had to send out for hairdryers), staff locked out of their computers in some
areas and a table which collapsed.

Where else in the UK would this be allowed to happen?
No wonder we are something of a laughing stock with all this carry on.

It happened last year DOt when people were locked out of the polling stations and ran out of ballot forms.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/07/election-polling-stations-lock-out

[Dot]

You are quite right Dexter.
To be honest I had forgotten all about that.

You've just made me think of another thing that happened over here last year.
A Sinn Fein candidate in the Fermanagh/South Tyrone area beat an Independent Unionist candidate
by four votes. This result was reached after the votes had been counted a total of three times.
The man who came second requested a fourth recount but this was refused.

Does make you wonder that it took so long for them to come to a decision.

[Bridie]

You are quite right Dexter.
To be honest I had forgotten all about that.

You've just made me think of another thing that happened over here last year.
A Sinn Fein candidate in the Fermanagh/South Tyrone area beat an Independent Unionist candidate
by four votes. This result was reached after the votes had been counted a total of three times.
The man who came second requested a fourth recount but this was refused.

Does make you wonder that it took so long for them to come to a decision.

Yep I could see the steam coming out the Town Hall windows - they're probably still whinging

[brickwall]

Extreme sports are available on all run down housing estates.

[Dot]

The OH was planning on going up to see the North West 200 with my son but the weather has been wet off
and on pretty much all day. Can't see the enjoyment of standing in the pouring rain watching motorbikes whizz past.
Sounds as though there was a hoax security alert. Think the organisers were determined to go ahead despite
the weather so who knows what way things will turn out.

[Bridie]

Dot
I've just come back from Sprucefield via Antrim as son was running at the Stadium we left Fermanagh at 10 am and for the whole day up till now -7pm I have never seen rain as bad in all of my 5 years over here (and thats saying something) I was quite scared at one point especially as junior was going on about today being the end of the world --- by floods

Someone at the Stadium said their husband was in the NWest and there was a security alert but according to BBC it was an oil spill. Problems elsewhere though.

[Bridie]

Help !! my windows are going to come in with the gusts of wind

[hungryjoe]

It's wild here too.

[Bridie]

It's wild here too.

All the ferries have been cancelled including the big P&O which is unusual as they can usually go out in anything the Foyle bridge is closed however no flights cancelled from Derry. I'm scared of flying what the hell is it like up in a plane with they gusts?

[BrigitDoon]

[hungryjoe]

It's wild here too.

All the ferries have been cancelled including the big P&O which is unusual as they can usually go out in anything the Foyle bridge is closed however no flights cancelled from Derry. I'm scared of flying what the hell is it like up in a plane with they gusts?

I think the 'planes are above the weather. I've been out in a 40 foot fishing boat in weather like this. It was too dangerous to get into the harbour so we were out in it for four days.

[Dot]

Bridie,
Sorry I'm late and hope your birthday was a good one.

It's wild here too.

All the ferries have been cancelled including the big P&O which is unusual as they can usually go out in anything the Foyle bridge is closed however no flights cancelled from Derry. I'm scared of flying what the hell is it like up in a plane with they gusts?

I don't mind flying most of the time but wouldn't fancy it in the gusts we have had here.
I even feel nervous going home on the M3 flyover in windy weather.

I see Willy Walsh and Michael O'Leary are supposed to have sent aircraft into designated 'red zones' by the CAA.
They both seem unhappy with the Aviation authorities and the Met office over the risk to aircraft by the
plume of volcanic ash.

[Dot]

100 years ago today the 'Titanic' was launched in Belfast so there are all sorts of things going on to celebrate the
centenary. My youngest son is very interested in all the work going on in the Titanic Quarter including the new
Titanic Signature Building which is due to open next year.

We are going some time on a walking tour which takes in parts of the shipyard not normally open to the public.
Just waiting till the weather improves a bit before I book our places. Tickets already purchased.

Not sure what is planned for April 2012 which will be 100 years after the ship sank.

[jodieohdoh]

Your boy Michael Dunlop was tearing up the tarmac in the TT practice session tonight. Fastest supersport & superstock.

[Dot]

Talking of the TT I was reading that they have put on a steam train for the duration of the races.

It was too bad about those sidecar racers killed in the practice lap.