The Emerald Isle

All is not well in the Emerald Isle of Ireland. The power sharing government has collapsed again and the edge of the precipice beckons. This tanker is going to need more than one pair of hands on the tiller. Here`s hoping for a speedy recovery.

A burnt out school room awaiting demolition.

A mural to John Gregg, a senior member of the UDA, shot in 2003.

A service station on the A26 north of Belfast.

Malcolm`s Bees

Amazing bee facts that I never knew!

Bees are the only insect to produce food eaten by humans.
Honey is the only food that includes all the substances to sustain life - enzymes, vitamins, minerals and water.
Bees wings beat 200 times per second, making the distinctive buzz.
Honey bees communicate by dancing.
Each colony of bees has a unique smell for recognition.
A queen bee can live for up to 5 years.
Male bees mate and the die!
Female bees do all the work.
One bee produces 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in it`s lifetime.
Bees have two stomachs - one for food and one for nectar.
Eating honey will make you smarter as it contains an antioxidant called pinocembrin.

Hackney bees are the best.