After shooting all those politicians in Paris, forgive me for thinking there wouldn’t be any left for the rest of the world; hence the surprise. These here would be trust-busting European Commissioner and, according to Forbes, one of the most influential women in the World: Neelie Kroes, and Dutch state secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport: Jet Bussemaker. They met with me today in Brussels so I could upgrade my handshaking network and now I’m up to date again.

Say what you will about French President Nicolas Sarkozy, just don’t criticize his smashing Sarkozettes or you’ll have to deal with me. You’ve already met Rachida Dati, so now I present the beautiful Mrs (alas, fellows) Rama Yade, Secretary of State for Human Rights, with whom I shook hands today. Besides doing an excellent job, I noticed she has remained a very amiable person. Suffice it to say I won’t be washing my hands for a long time (something I obviously haven’t done since April 2007).

Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen, named for prime minister not that long ago, in front of the Institut du Monde Arabe where I got to spend an afternoon with him while I accompanied a journalist I’ve befriended for Dutch daily Het Parool, and after sipping champagne and having a coupious lunch at another event I had to shoot. It’s a tough job indeed.

I know what I wrote about autumn but as of 13:17 hours today I officially hate it. Right at the moment Dutch prime minister Balkenende drove through the gates of the Elysee to meet Sarkozy, heaven decided to unleash a torrent of rain and hail onto us, poor photographers, with all the might it could muster. Naturally the sun is shining merilly as I write this.

“Viva la revolución” is the slogan I saw in Cuba in 2001 that came to mind while watching today’s military parade in honour of the French revolution. No French president for me this time as Sarko’s already covered on this blog; instead I present you with something at least as impressive: 9 Alpha Jets painting the French Tricolore across the clear blue sky.

“In Dublin fair city, where girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone”, or so the song goes. Well, having seen the city and its girls, I can confidently tell you Molly probably wasn’t the sweetest of gals; my guess would be the songwriter had been boozing at least several days, because its nightlife… don’t get me started: it really is that good. By the way, the exhibition is continuing beyond July 15 in Dublin’s café of the Alliance Française.

Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans, who has figured in this blog before, receives a commemorative plate depicting the Collège néerlandais by architect Willem Marinus Dudok. Yesterday the official website was launched to raise funds for the dearly needed restauration of this wonderful building. If you want a room named after yourself or want to see more of my images of it, you can visit the site by clicking here.

This is the only shot I got of the Olympic flame on the Champs Elysees. Because of protests against China’s interference in Tibet, everyone got an exhilarating view of… nothing. Well, actually: of police in all it’s varieties. Plus one glimpse, one second, of the flame. I can’t really blame the protesters for seizing the moment but I just want sports to be what it’s all about, and politics ain’t on the list. As I’ve said before: I’m a barbarian…

Indeed they are: Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France, and Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch Prime Minister, meeting this afternoon for lunch in Paris at the Elysée palace. And so I add another one to the long list (two) of French presidents looking right in my lens. The other would be Monsieur Sarkozy’s predecessor, Jacques Chirac.

Why, obviously, they can. Be attractive, that is. And only in France, bien sûr. Just this afternoon I witnessed the signing of an agreement between France and the Netherlands. Witnessed as a photographer of course: I’ve not been asked to sign the document, this time. Anyway, this would be the French Minister of Justice, miss Rachida Dati. Of course I do have images of our Dutch minister, but… well, he’s a man you know, so I’m afraid he’ll have to wait for next time.