"Donal" wrote in message

If having a new house is something to be proud of, then I must hang my
head
in shame. Parts of my house are older than your country!!

The most beautiful house I've ever seen was a 400 year old place in Sweden.
Nothing built in the last 200 years can approach the details, materials, and
interest of that place. New homes are sterile, austere, and cheap looking
by comparison with even those built 60 years ago. Unless your place is
falling in around your shoulders, you have something to engender immense
pride.

Max