Booty!

Cheese and wine, ho ho ho! Some bought incredibly cheaply in the 'chino' shop downstairs, the rest rather more pricey at the Duty Free, but there's a limit to what one can pack in a suitcase... Galling to find wines cheaper in the DF back in Rio, but joy unconfined - Camembert at $1 each as nearing sell-by date. So glad my generation isn't too bothered about those - and anyway, most of it will go on NYE.

Early start from BA, with a very nice taxi driver. His grandfather was British and so is his name. If anyone needs a taxi from BA airport. call him, and they'll find a Bentley waiting for them....

There was a detour near the airport to avoid a demonstration - the approach to the airport is the ideal place for people who have been without electricity for 6 days in scorching heat to publicize their distress. Last week, it was the police that blocked the road, after a series of strikes for higher pay. Seems Cristina Kirchner's government just isn't bringing home the bacon.

Now back in Rio and back down to earth - and work. Ooof. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Oh dear - catching up now on news of the flooding, deaths and chaos here in Brazil and in the UK. So many people all over the world in dire straits, it's tragic.