Ah, Paris. Even though overcast and unseasonably cold, it feels good to be here. I did see some sunshine in the early evening (it gets dark later here this time of year).

Enjoyed a great dinner with the Mercat family: excellent food and lively bilingual conversation. The Mercat family consists of my sister Nina, her husband Bernard and their children Audrey, Pascal and Alison. I will miss seeing Audrey and her husband Marc this visit because they are in England for a wedding.

And listened to some original music from Pascal;s band The Twins. They rock!