WHENEVER and wherever you looked out over the gate, you would find that some of your senses would be touched. For instance, you could look out over farm land and see the mist rising on a warm morning, a sure sign of a fine day to come.

When you do this as you get older, you may well give thanks that you still have your sight. In the summer you can take in that marvellous smell of freshly cut grass, what some people call new mown hay. Perhaps thinking thank goodness I can still take in the smells of the countryside.

Then how about the sound of caukers (clog irons) on the hard road as villagers make their way to work and children their way to school; or the ring of horse shoes as the teams make their way to the fields where they were destined to work that day. Aye, it is good to be able to hear, particularly if the train in the distance sounds particularly loud thus heralding yet another fine day.

Then as you look down at a new born lamb lying very still, so you bend and touch inside its ear and it immediately shakes its head, you are relieved you haven’t lost your touch. Suddenly a door opens and someone shouts ‘Breakfast’, you know as you turn to go inside in the knowledge of what you are about to enjoy, that you haven’t lost your taste buds either.

Yet another sense is one that can only be confirmed by other people and, of course, you’ve already guessed that that one is common sense. As the old countryman would say, ”It’s as scarce as hen’s teeth”.

Over the years there have been many gains in life but we’ve also lost a lot as well.

During 38 years in local government, I never saw a reorganisation that didn’t cost more money in spite of being assured it would cost less. So when I was asked what I thought about voting for a Regional Assembly, I said “I won’t be, so the question doesn’t arise”.

Regional assemblies will affect all the people whether they live in the town or the country and you cannot help turning these sort of things over in your mind when looking over the gate.

During an earlier exercise about local government reorganisation in the Seventies, I remember there were some very good car stickers which said quite simply DON’T VOTE FOR R.E.M.O.T.E. I would get them out again.

Brussels likes the idea of regions because they think they will fit nicely into their scheme of things, which is probably why John Prescott likes the idea. If and when the time comes, I shall practise what I preach. Quite simply I will not vote for R.E.M.O.T.E.

I have not yet seen Lord Haskin’s Report on how Cumbria should proceed to recover after Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Of course, I will be as objective as I can, but I have to say he wouldn’t have been my choice for the job anyway. Nevertheless, I do look forward to commenting on it in the fullness of time.

Dialect word: Puzzn meaning poison.

Thought for the day: Judge: “I shall raise this allowance to give your ex-wife £50 per a week”. Ex-husband: “That’s reet good on yer yer honour, an I’ll mebbe send er a lile bit mesel”.