Paris snow are small pellets!

Well I guess Chicago is just a regular jinx. Last time I was caught in transit overnight. This time it was only 3 hours delay but I had to catch the next plane to Paris. Pilot was smart and touched down only 2 and a half hours late, but then with baggage and delays to get through customs etc, it took another hour to come out through the sortie!

but I arrived PARIS!

And the first thing I was go up the Eiffel tower, all the way to the small platform on the third level. The wind was splintery and sharp bringing the 4 degrees celsius down below zero, and then it started to snow hard small pellets that dropped on the cement platform like marbles. It was good to gulp down some hot chocolate after that!

Then a long chat at home with Chaka!

Stay tuned for next episodes!

Celebrating Martin Allard's 55th


I just love Indian cuisine, especially the authentic cooking. This is just lovely, only four starters and 7 dishes for nine of us! It's a good thing Barry also ordered 12 side dishes!

Yeah and at the other end of the table, they can discuss solar spots and black holes and what happened a second before the big bang and what are the probabilities that the big bang might have missed its entrance cue,while over here we're just gonna enjoy the meal. Oh yes, you see, we we're listening!

Well actually we were discussing decibels what is the attraction of old musical instruments and why they are so popular in a culture which is so rock and jazz driven.

And what is the value of valve listening?

You listen to valves?

No I listen to the warmth and contour that they add to any kind of music!









Well we like the wine, a nice red from South Africa. David feels at home here with the curry, though his curries are a lot hotter and spicier!















In my spare time I bang samba drums and I just love those open street concerts where everybody joins in and plays music with us. Trouble is when they stop and I keep going, I gotta know the beat!

Hmm beats me, everytime I hear a samba drum I see solar spots!







My son Alex should be here, he'd enjoy this conversation -- drums, decibels, solar activity, computers, valve technology. While all you guys are talking, he'd eat up all the food!

Martin, we know you're listening, so in your honor, I think we should rename these gatherings the Martin E. Allard technology discussion dinners.

rdv à CDG

Quand on part aux pays merveilleux, à NeverNeverLand, les meilleurs copains sont là pour to souhaiter bon voyage. Merci tout le monde, on se verra en quelques . . . .


Hey look! we're pals, anyway, we're the same age, both 18! See you on Skype!

We celebrate Martin Allard's birthday on 18 February in London. Above, Martin is showing Arthur Clarke how to work the electronic Mallard email system he invented in 1980. It has since given way to the giant Microsoft and other major players, but it was very original in the old days and very personal. We are in Dr Clarke's personal study at his home in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Arthur always wears the traditional men's sari. Martin is holding the first $100 computer, a Sinclair laptop. But it doesn't have Windows and most of the available programmes are raw code!



In this early shot you see the famous members of the Singhalese Sextet. I'll let you guess who they are, though you can see Martin at the extreme right seriously intent on his traditional zithara.