During the first half of the month we were busy with garden harvesting and maintenance, and forest management, and then vacation for the 2nd half. Friends from Niagara Falls house and dog sat while we spent a few days in NYC (plays, museums and street vibe) and a week on the Queen Mary II from NYC to Southampton (nice way to get to Europe). We then stayed at the residence of the Italian Ambassador to the UK for 5 days – he was my counterpart in Paris 20 years ago – while visiting pubs, museums and a night at the Royal Opera (The Magic Flute was excellent). The highlight was spending time with our Italian friends in their opulent residence.