A slow day at home in Dulwich contemplating the start of a New Year. Yesterday in Iraq, Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging. Gruesome pictures of him actually swinging from the rope are all over the news; surely a certain way to make him a martyr in his own country. The whole Iraq invasion, the current civil war and now the expose of Hussein’s hanging is a huge mistake, from start to now, it certainly is no where near over. Iraq will be the sad and painful legacy of both Blair and Bush and I fear a legacy that ordinary people in the West and the middle East will suffer from through terrorist attacks and retribution. Happy New Year! On to important issues, I watch Ronaldo score another two goals to extend United’s lead at the top of the table with a 3 – 2 win over Reading. Chelsea are held at home by Fulham to a 2 -2 draw. Sheffield United beat Arsenal 1 – 0. The footballing Gods are looking favourably upon United as the year comes to a close; let us hope that it continues in the new year. Arrive by taxi at the Chardon restaurant at 7.00 p.m. We are, as is our custom on this occasion early, the waitresses are just finishing their supper when we walk through the doors. We receive what is now a customary greeting from Beatrice the main woman in the place. She is lovely, we receive and give great hugs and kisses. We have a Kir Royal whilst we chose from the splendid menu. Carol starts with Oysters which I help out with, I then have the Fois gras, fish and a few mouthfuls of the sorbet. We manage on just one bottle of very fine Sancerre. The taxi picks us up from the restaurant and we are sat in the pub (now with Kooky) supping vintage Verve Clique with a second bottle on ice awaiting the arrival of the New Year. After the initial bottle of champagne we revert to type, Carol is on Cider, I am on Guinness with only Kooky sticking to the water. We see the New Year in, the first as a married couple and wish the bar staff a Happy New Year (we also buy them all a drink!). We text and call the usual suspects and wish them all the best. The second bottle of champagne remains unopened so we take it home with us when we retire at close to 1.00 am. I am feeling decidedly jet lagged, so much so that I am violently, projectile sick and quite ill for much of the early hours of 2007! I am slightly puzzled as I haven’t had that much to drink and what I have had has been consumed over a six hour period with lots of water to boot. Perhaps I just can’t hold my drink any longer or it is a sign to have a healthier life in 2007!   more »