Magic

was happening in the kitchen last night again. Muu Wan (sweet pork) and a Thai inspired salad of red shallots, spring onions, mint leaves, Thai basil leaves, coriander leaves, mung beans, lime juice, fish sauce and a sprinkle of chili powder and steamed rice was on the menu.

Accompanying this delicious food was a Shaw & Smith, Adelaide Hills 2008 Riesling.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

It took a little while, but finally one of my

photos has been published (and not on my own website). Recently The New York Times Lens Blog had a project callling for people around the world to take a photo at the same time and then upload the pictures to the blog website. There were obviously thousands of photos taken and mine is there as well.

I know that today is a holiday because

I can see the rain pouring down outside. It has been pretty relaxed and I have managed to process the rest of my photos from Berlin. For anyone who is considering a visit; it is a great city...... architecture, water, greenery, food + drink, interesting people and shopping.

It may be a cliche, but it was borne out again this morning

at the Hotel Breakfast Buffet. The slim, healthy-looking, middle-aged Scandinavian couple ate fruit, dark bread, drink plenty of water and a cup of coffee.............. the fatties have headed straight to hog heaven. "I am going to have everything that is fried, I am going to have it now and I am going to come back for more"!
Personally, I think that although a hotel breakfast is a good way to start the day, I would much rather be conservative and reasonably healthy- that leaves more space to sin later in the day :-)

Thanks for a great night out, gentlemen!

Scotty, Pete, Pipo and myself all enjoyed ourselves at dinner last night. The food was good, the wines good as well but the company was the highlight of the evening.
Thanks guys- we need to make an appointment for our next dinner. See you all in a week.

What a day!

The SNB filled his boots and pulled his bid in EURCHF........... result- market goes into "sell the hell out of it" mode and we head three big figures lower. More fun and games in US Equity markets later in the day with the DOW being whacked for the best part of 1,000 points before recovering most of those losses. Turbulent times and I guess that they will be with us for a while- if only the Greeks can learn that you can't retire at 53 and expect the state to support you comfortably into your old age.

Tuesday: The SNB is at it again (or actually still at it), my cold is back and

I'm really looking forward to dinner with the lads on Friday evening. It will be a great way to get ready for my week off and Berlin!

Interesting to note

that although it has rained most of today and I consequently didn't head into town to take photos, today was the start of the smoking ban in restaurants, bars and lots of other places here in Switzerland. About time, I say! The Nicotine Lounge out the front of the pub across the road is not very inviting when it is breezy, wet and cool.

Welcome to Friday night and the start of the weekend...

I am charging a camera battery at the moment and hoping to go and photograph a riot in Zürich tomorrow. There is always plenty of action to be seen on May 1st- burning cars, cobblestone and brick throwing, tear gas and water cannon. What more could a young man ask for?  :-)

Wouldn't you know it.......

the planets have aligned and the sun is shining- almost a perfect weekend here.... and I am suffering from the mother of all colds. It is gorgeous outside and all I want to do is go back to bed. I hate that!

I don't think that the SNB have made too many friends

in the last few days. They have certainly made life in the office pretty boring.......
On a brighter note, mungos will be mungos. :-)

Salad, ribs, rice.............. further questions?

Sitting here and enjoying a Schneider Weisse (one of the world's great wheat beers) and wondering why I have to go to work tomorrow when most of Zürich is having a day off  :-)

This volcano eruption has caused a nightmare

with air traffic being shut down over large parts of Europe and no-one is sure when things will return to some sort of normality. I have already heard talk of this being the great "global cooling" that the "global warmers" have been waiting on... at least I am not due on a plane next week.

Another one of those weeks.....

but at least tomorrow is the start of Panini season and most of Switzerland seems to be holding its collective breath. Let the madness begin!

Thanks H+C for a great dinner last night

we really enjoyed the wonderful food, lovely wines and of course the great company. I'm sure that you have both had a fantastic time out on the golf course today.
I need to get to the gym or maybe the pool a little later and I will try to take a few photos as well.
Good luck for the coming week.

Well, I survived. Richer for the experience and I think that it is something

that I will do on weekends for a while until I get the hang of things. It was fun to shave with a straight razor this morning and although the results aren't as good as I am used to, hopefully they will improve as time goes on.

I really enjoyed the curry and a few drinks last night

thanks Pipo and Pete. I hope that you guys enjoy your Easter weekend.
It was very nice to see the sun this morning and not have to rush out the door and head to the office. I will try to go for a swim in a little while and generally take it easy- maybe even have a chance to take a few photos.