Thankfully, the race is over.

As the presidential race in the US descended into a choice between the lesser of two evils for many Americans and not least for ourselves, I was struck by the lack of respect, discretion, sensitivity, tactfulness, sympathy and understanding and I struggled to find the right words to express my feelings.

As we continue to look back with our mouths open at the election campaign, one question keeps coming up: how did they end up with this pair? And, how is it that the road hasn’t opened up for a real third-party contender?

We have already seen the huge upturning of traditional politics right across Europe with the emergence of far right and far left parties and activists - well, here is the thing: you could say that it has actually happened in the US too. It is called Donald Trump. Is he the actual product of America’s public discontent and disillusionment with conventional politics perhaps happening before our very eyes?

You would be forgiven for thinking that there were only two runners for the White House. In fact, there were originally about 2,000 people trying to become president of the United States of America - you can find the list online if you wish - and, according to the opinion polls, these candidates had accounted for anything between five and 10 per centof people’s first preferences, with Clinton and Trump representing the other 90 per cent.

That really doesn’t say much for the other 2,000 or so headbangers, nutcases, dreamers, freaks and genuine ideologists.

After Donald Trump suggested that he and Hillary Clinton should undergo drug tests before their third TV debate, I began to wonder. Now I think I know why Hillary got most of the votes and Donald got elected!

Charity effort

Over the last few months, members of the Carmarthenshire area committees - raising funds for the 2017 Royal Welsh Show when it will be the featured County - together with the president elect and lady ambassador, have been visiting prominent local landmarks to photograph for a charity calendar.

The calendar set-up and printing were generously sponsored by local companies, the publication duly launched and the beneficiaries are to Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer and the Royal Welsh Show.

Welsh people in general have always been noted for their generosity and today’s Children in Need appeal will, doubtless, prove to be no exception.

Despite those residing in rural areas having a proportionately lower income than those living in towns and larger villages recent research has shown that rural donors donated a statistically significant higher percentage of their income to charity than urban donors usually do.

In addition, rural donors were significantly more likely than urban donors to being motivated to donate because of their values including: 1. a belief that those with more should help those with less (equity or responsibility); 2. reciprocity (because they received help from the organization); 3. religious beliefs; or, 4. a belief that nonprofit organisations are more effective in delivering services than government agencies.

The beauty of the seasons

Farmers are always considered to be at one and also a part of the natural life cycle of the countryside.

Most farmers know and value this close relationship with the flora and fauna, both wild and farmed, on their land and, as custodians of the countryside, they take their duties seriously.

Serious about animal welfare and the piece of the jigsaw that keeps the flora and fauna of our countryside pulsing, living, changing and thriving.

They are to be applauded for thinking about it consciously and, as they do, they are positively enveloped in nature’s tranquility.

In the right mindset, they can use it to enhance their mental health. It works for most when they allow it to do so - at other times, they know only too well that nature can be cruel, robust and vicious with our crops and animals.

The last few leaves from the ivy have written their end-of-season signature across the lawn. Now it is time to appreciate the sturdy, intertwined, invasive bark and branch structure. The beauty never stops.

Check your storage tank…

With the real onset of winter just around the corner reports are being received from several house occupiers who have found that their domestic oil tanks have developed small cracks and valuable fuel is being lost.

The actual life of a fuel storage tank, outdoors or undercover, may not be more than 10 years and replacing an existing facility with a bunded oil tank is now being widely recommended and are manufactured to specific safety standards - bunded tanks are tanks with a secondary containment, which will help to prevent any oil that is leaked from getting into the local environment.

Check your local forecourt…

Huge disparities in the cost of refueling our vehicles have recently come into sharp focus with national newspaper reports discussing a variance in pump prices of 9p per litre on the cost of diesel, and 8p per litre on unleaded fuel.

In fairness, it’s usually supermarkets who blaze the trail in avoiding petrol price disparity and keeping costs lower for consumers, so it’s quite a surprise to see even these displaying marked differences.

Taking our most recent figures as an example, there are the following disparities in UK fuel prices at the time of writing. This is the difference in cost between a litre of fuel at the cheapest and most expensive forecourts in the UK:

Latest figures taken from across the UK reveal unleaded fuel varies in price by up to 21.2p/litre, Super unleaded varies in price by up to 31p/ litre and diesel by up to 25.2p/litre.

The upshot of all this is that by choosing the ‘wrong’ forecourt, you could pay an incredible £18.60 more to fill up a 60 litre fuel tank with premium unleaded!

Learn fast

If you find someone who makes you smile, who checks up on you often to see if you are okay, who watches out for you and wants the very best for you, don’t let them go -keep them close and don’t take them for granted. People like that are hard to find.

Quotes

A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you look forward to the trip.

Money can’t buy you happiness but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

Some cause happiness wherever they go - others whenever they go!

War does not determine who is right. It determines who is left.

Think on

The prettiest smile hides the deepest secrets. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears and the kindest hearts have felt the most pain.

Last gasp

Chris Robshaw dies when his car collides with a Sweet Chariot that was Swinging Low, just after the Wales v England match in 2013.

He arrives at the pearly gates to be met by St. Peter. “Chris, welcome to heaven,” said Peter. “You have been allowed here because of your contribution to English rugby.”

“Thanks and all that,” replied Chris. “But I am only coming in as long as there are no Welsh. After what they did to me today, I never want to see a Welshman again.”

“Don’t worry about that, there are no Welshmen here, come on in...”

The first few days were the best of his life, he got to watch re-runs of all his wins as England captain until one day, he was walking back from the cinema when he saw a golden field.

In the middle of the field was a man with flowing hair, golden boots and the scarlet red jersey of Wales - every kick sent the golden rugby ball clean between the posts.

Chris hurried back to St. Peter, fuming. “Look! You promised me there were no Welshmen here! What is that over there!”

“Oh that, don’t worry, Chris. That’s God - he just thinks he’s Welsh!”