Wednesday 30 January 2008

The Fed Cuts Again


and I guess that Ben and the guys are trying to get in front of the curve. With more unpleasant rumours and disappointing results coming to the fore each day, this has certainly been a tough couple of weeks for the markets.

Where it all stops, nobody yet knows (in spite of what they may tell you) and there has certainly been a lot of wealth destroyed in a very short period of time. Good luck and happy hunting out there- I guess that there will be a few bargains about.
My month-long photo project draws to a close tomorrow- can anybody tell me where I can find a suitable Number "31" to take a picture of? I thought that this would make a good finish to the 31 days of January................ I'll keep my eyes open.

Tuesday 29 January 2008

Happy Singapore Noodles!


Dear Jenaya,

best wishes for a very Happy Birthday! We hope that you have a great time and look forward to seeing you all again soon. Much love, David and Catherine xxxx

Sunday 27 January 2008

A great weekend away


and I returned home to a delicious lamb curry for early dinner. Thanks Catherine xx Arosa was a lot of fun again- good snow and plenty of people out partying too. The skiers were all happy and I am sure that the barkeepers and restauranteurs would be pleased as well.

I managed to take a few photos and sadly also lost the small remote release for my camera. Not an expensive item, but a pain in the butt to lose it nonetheless. I only have 5 more photos to publish for my January Madness Challenge and I am wracking my brain at the moment to come up with a suitable subject for today....... still thinking :-(

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Ben Bernanke blinked!


It must have been tough sitting in the offices of the Fed Reserve on Martin Luther King Day and watching the markets around the world plummeting. The "pre-emptive" rate cut from the Fed probably won't stop the US economy from entering a recession, but hopefully it will lessen the severity and length of the downturn. Many expect a further cut next week after the meeting- me included. I have enjoyed reading commentaries in the last 36 hours about the situation and opinion is divided...... "should he have kept his powder dry?" "what is plan B?" "where is the central bank's credibility if this doesn't work?" "too little, too late". One way or another there is going to be a lot of pain before the world markets return to being sunny, kind and friendly again.

Arosa- we are coming!!
P.S. thanks for the input, Catherine xxx

Sunday 20 January 2008

G'day

A beautiful sunny Sunday


and it was wonderful to get out for a walk after being in the office all week. We went to visit Walter & Masi (who had a birthday during the week) to say hello and catch up over a coffee. They are enjoying the weekend after a few busy days looking after their darling grand-daughter and taking it easy.

I took my camera with me when we went out and managed to shoot a few frames- it was a nice change to be out in good daylight and hopefully a few of the pics will turn out to be OK. My January project is going well and I am looking forward to the company weekend in Arosa next weekend- that will be a chance to take some really different shots (as well as drinking too much and not getting enough sleep).

Thus far in 2008 my New Year's Resolutions have been going well- I have been able to get some exercise, am already feeling a little fitter and my letter-writing has been much more regular.

Friday 18 January 2008

Henry Rollins was in great form last night


and I really enjoyed his spoken word performance. He covered topics ranging from George W Bush and the internets to travel in the world's political hotspots and then on to growing up in Washington DC and attending Ted Nugent concerts in outdoor arenas.

Feeling a little left out at the moment as Steven is down on the south coast with the family this week and Gary is heading off fishing with the kids this weekend...... I am here in the rain (and certainly not catching any fish).

Sunday 13 January 2008

How Green is my Valley?


I am just back this afternoon from a terrific weekend in Vallee Verte in France with les Hodges. We had a good snow fall, a nice Saturday in Geneva, a very pleasant birthday dinner with Bettina and family and a wonderful time catching up with Stephen, Adrienne and the "dots". Thanks again for Saturday lunch- it was a lot of fun and many thanks to Stephen for the ride into Geneva today! It sounds as if their European Vacation has been lots of fun and they still have a little time to take it easy before heading off towards Hong Kong.

Safe travels, have fun in the Far East and love and kisses to everyone in Australia xxx

Thursday 10 January 2008

I have made it through the first week of 2008


and so far, things seem to be going according to plan. I have made a few visits to the gym, written a letter, taken photos every day and am still looking forward to our weekend in the French hills. Hopefully things will continue in the same vein for a while and I can manage to lose a bit of weight- although I do need to get my boots and pack out and get hiking (or out on the snowshoes).
Gary has moved house, the Moose bbq is hooked up to the gas and running and sadly Jacqueline's Christmas present is still caught up in the postal system..............

Saturday 5 January 2008

Happy Moose Day


Hi Marty, Nicole, Jenaya and Kai- best wishes to you all for a very happy Moose Day 2008! Hope that you are all well and can really enjoy the day together. If anybody happens to spot this mighty Moose in Singapore today, please give him a big birthday kiss on our behalf (after all it is not every day that the Moose turns 40).

We are looking forward very much to speaking with you a little later.

Tuesday 1 January 2008

Happy New Year - Very best wishes for a happy and healthy 2008


As with every new year, this one starts with me being overweight and tired and trying to make my life better and healthier in the coming months. My New Year's Resolutions are; to write at least one letter per week, lose some weight and get fitter, take more (and better) photos and to visit more countries in Europe.

I have a new photo project starting today which runs for the month of January and will hopefully fit in with all of the other activities that we have planned for the month. We are both looking forward to catching up with some Australian friends over in France in 10 days time, seeing other friends around Zürich and I have a company ski weekend towards the end of the month as well.