Jamie Shiers

Steaming up the autobahn, turn off at Baden-Baden for an overnight stop prior to workshop at FZK. Delightful hotel & restaurant - something like German food with French presentation - and a hearty breakfast make an excellent start to the trip. Wine was a little strange. What is that smell? Ah yes, yeast(!) Vaut le voyage? Quite possibly - certainly the detour. The hotel had a huge great dog (like Hagrid's Fang) that never seemed to move (at least I never saw it) but always managed to be whereever you were, looking suspiciously for any activity that would stir it into action.

It actually reminded my of the time on Providenciales when we were cornered by a Rottweiler whilst out on exploring on a scooter. It all went quite and I thought he'd gone, but he was just hiding in the bushes waiting for me to make a dash for it. And whatever you can say about Scooter Bob's scooters, speed was not their strong point....

So it starts again. How does one view it? A worldwide quest for long spaghetti? (Solved, but finding it in Italy can hardly be considered a major success). An integral part of setting up the Worldwide LCG Service? (True, but no "best-seller" material there surely?) An extensive and intensive study into pan-European travel optimisation? (Also true - quite possibly of more global interest?) A study into the best ice-cream in Italy? (and beyond...) (IMHO, Bologna is better in this respect than Venice - cheaper too, but the sample is too low, so I'll have to try a few more...)

And the Cream Reunion CD and DVDs from the Royal Albert Hall have been released. Further concerts in NYC but $4K??? Think I'll wait for -that- CD/DVD...

Grouse and all the trimmings. "First grouse of the season Sir?" Yes, indeed.

Still, this did not seem good cause for pouring water - not even Evian - into my scarcely tasted wine.

The "recovery procedure" needs some improvement too...