International Driving Permit

I have happy memories of skiing holidays in the 1970s. The pattern was to load up a VW Golf and leave London after work on Friday evening to catch a channel ferry.

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We’ll Go No More A-Roving

The Jolly Beggar was first published in a collection of old Scots songs in 1776. It’s not long so let’s read it.

Knockfane

A Homan Potterton is as reliable as the eponymous boiler so I have no hesitation in recommending Knockfane, Homan’s first novel, although I’ve not read it yet. Hitherto he has published two acclaimed Memoirs.

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Conversations

On an Election Observation Mission there are opportunities to chat, not always about election methodology. A UK observer told me that he had been Master and huntsman of the Pimpernel beagles and jolly smart he must have looked in his uniform: green coat, old gold collar, green stockings and black cap.

Observations

There was a distinct end of term feeling yesterday morning as we loaded our trunks on the coach taking us to the airport. I was looking forward to getting home but I will be back soon for Round Two of the Presidential Election.

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The Birthday Paradox

“In a room of just 23 people there’s a 50-50 chance of at least two people having the same birthday. In a room of 75 there’s a 99.9% chance of at least two people matching.“ This is the Birthday Paradox.

Preliminary Report

Volodymyr Zelensky, who plays a fictional president in a popular TV show, secured 30.4 percent of the vote on Sunday, early results showed. Petro Poroshenko, a billionaire magnate and Ukraine’s current leader, received 17.8 percent. In a country on the frontline of the West’s standoff with Russia, the electorate has rallied behind an anti-establishment figure… Continue reading Preliminary Report

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A Tourist in Ternopil

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built 1749 – 1779 and, as you will see, exemplifies Ukrainean baroque.

Train to Ternopil

Time for an update from the field. Wednesday and Thursday were all day briefings in a conference centre in Kiev. The content was similar to the briefings in Moldova last month, but there was some material specific to Ukraine and, of course, some observers were on their first mission.

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