Travel on the 9.20 am train to Paris. Although the journey time is just under 4 hours I really enjoy the trip. I spend most of the time on my Mac, updating my notes for my Blogg, so the time whizzes by.
The USA have launched air strikes on the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in an attempt to kill suspects of al-Qaeda. Seems a bit of a hammer to crack a nut and of course there are significant civilian casualities; yet another diplomatic example on how to win friends and influence people with your foreign policy. You don’t have to be Lassie do you – or perhaps you do!  
In Paris join CT in local café for lunch – excellent Roast Pork today, washed down by a couple of glasses of Gamay – tough life I know.
After a bit of a repose, we are off to Bugsy’s for the first Spoof of the New Year. In attendance amongst others are Didier, Richard, Brendan, GBH, Chris, Sarah. Luc is not here because he  is up to his eyes preparing for his annual exhibition. Everyone toasts the New Year and our recent marriage which is lovely of them – the Paris crowd are genuinely happy for us both. A really good night: In between spoofing I have long chats to Chris about his son and to Didier about life. He remains visibly fragile because of the loss of Pauline (he’s eldest daughter), which was just over a year ago. It was just three years ago that Didier and I watched Pauline row for her college in the “Head of River” race on the Thames (Ireland beat England that day at Twickenham). It is so, so sad, it is said that time heals but I struggle to see a time when Didier will be back to anything like his old self. I feel very close to him and I guess because I see less of him than the most I am able to offer a patient ear when I do.
We drink and spoof until 11.00 pm having only slightly over trained but not jarred!