Merry Christmas
I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a very happy Christmas. You can take that as coming jointly from myself and my colleagues Martina Purdy and Gareth Gordon.
I know it's a bit soon. But doing it this way serves to...
1. Save all three of us money on Christmas cards
2. Scotch any rumours that ´óÏó´«Ã½ NI political correspondents cannot agree a common festive greeting
I am also extending to the Office for the First and Deputy First Ministers the chance to avail of this blog to communicate any seasonal thoughts they may wish to share with the wider public.
The rumour is that they are still consulting on how best to convey these thoughts. Should it be an e-card or a real card?
The Stormont rumour mill suggests that the First Minister's reluctance to approve an official missive relates to an opposition to the commercialisation of Christmas. However my DUP sources tell me their leader does Christmas "full on", but does not want to waste money on departmental cards when he has already purchased his own party and constituency cards.
Surely, in this new era, it can't be anything to do with a reluctance to sign cards together with the Deputy First?
I'm 
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Words of wisdom.
Walking a long
way in search of
a memory the snow,
fallen again in
the care of a
footprint, describes
the profile of
a sibilant hail-storm,
and that flake
rejoices like an
useful singing.
Words of wisdom.
( other version )
Walking a long
way in search of
a feeling the snow,
fallen again in
the dark of a
footprint, describes
the profile of
a sibilant hail-storm,
and that fountain
rejoices like an
useful singing.
Francesco Sinibaldi
And here's me thinking you would have posted a nice little seasonal picture on the 'Devonport Diaries' for all your regular 'bloggers'...