In my previous entry I wrote I’m better suited for warmer climates. Well, I really hate to break the news to you, but we’re heading there for some serious R&R. That means no updates on this site until somewhere in February. Til then & have fun in the meantime!

Alice in winterland: that’s how I felt when driving around the snowy countryside north of Paris today. That and cold: -11°C. Now I’ve finally warmed up and instead of feeling cold I feel bruised as my behind is showing all kinds of purple: besides cold it was extremely slippery, I found out the hard way. It seems I’m better suited for warmer climates.

It’s been kept secret for quite a while, but last weekend I discovered that the barcode system actually originated in the forest of Compiègne; the accompanying image serves as proof. By the way and totally unconnected to the origin of barcodes, proof that I was published in Dutch daily Trouw can be found by clicking here.

Some 10 hours after it started, 2009 hit me full in the face with the results of mixing an ordinary Alsace Pinot Gris, my fair share of the fabulous “Les Amis de l’Abbaye” 2006 (white Burgundy), a drop of “Chateau Potensac 2000” (red Bordeaux), a sip of “Cyprès de Climens” 2004 (Sauternes) and a teeny bit of the bottle in the image. It seems mixing wasn’t such a good idea, just like the past 20 years or so. Anyway, happy 2009!