MR Bray's letter "It's a puzzle" (November 30), relating to an exchange of Irish conversation, made me smile.

Many years ago my employment covered the South West of Scotland, including Stranraer, which town I visited several times each year. I recall that, from the outset, the accents and mannerisms of the locals caused me to think that I was entering Northern Ireland.

On one occasion, while attending the livestock market in that lovely town, I overheard two farmers speaking to each other. One remarked on the absence of the other's dog -- to be told that it was dead. When he asked "When did it die?", he received the answer "By next Wednesday, it will be dead a fortnight!" Is this experience in the same vein as Mr Bray's?

Bob Pollock

Glendale Drive

Bolton