Slainthe Mhath!

The final hours of a momentous and terrible year on the world stage.
It seems the world as we have known it is going to hell in a handcart.
I despair of the human race. It seems we are unable to live peacefully, and it always strikes me as strange that religion is, more often than not, at the root of our ills.
I do not understand why from the Crusaders in the Middle Ages to Daesh now, we cannot allow people to worship as they are wont, but feel we have to beat them into our way of thinking.

On the home front we are divided over referenda with families and friends at odds with each other and democracy challenged by those who voted differently.
Let us hope that the new year is a turning point in relationships and we learn to co-exist and make the most of our fragile tenancy of this planet.

However, tonight is a night for looking forward, with new resolutions and hope for 2017.
His Lordship and I send New Year greetings to you all.
May you have health and happiness, and may the wind be always at your back.