In New Jersey

I arrived on Monday morning after a nice, but rather empty BA flight. Highlight was watching Vicky Christina Barcelona, Woody Allan's latest. Escapist nonsense with some very sexy actors. I loved it. Managed to glimpse the New York skyline in the distance on the way to a large conference centre where I've been based for the last couple of days.

Escaped for dinner in Princeton tonight with my work colleagues. Its a very posh and quaint little town, famous for its Ivy League university. There's certainly a lot of smart shops and we had a lovely dinner in an Italian restaurant.

One more day of the conference and I'm off home tomorrow. I love coming to America, although this time its been short and sweet.

Klosters Pics

Karen, Posing

The Girls Skiing

Look, There's Snow on My Board

Snowboarding Lesson

Yesterday it snowed non-stop. Tons and tons of white powdery stuff covered the slopes. Perfect conditions for my snowboarding lesson. Dominic, my 19 year old teacher took me up on the nursery slope behind our apartment and taught me the basics of how to stand up, balance, turn and stop. I fell down lots of times, but there was always a soft landing.

Meanwhile loads of little kids from the ski school kept whizzing by trying to avoid me. Mae and Lia are loving it and making fantastic progress. Karen – after some coaching from Sally - looked cool and relaxed coming down the slopes. Klosters is a lovely place and can understand why it’s so popular with the rich and famous.

I managed to get down the gentle slope a few times. Today I’m on my own. Hope I can remember all the things Dominic taught me.

In Klosters

This is the first time we've ever been on a family skiing holiday, thanks to the generosity of our friends Sally and Roger who have lent us their apartment in Klosters. This really is a pretty place and apparently the skiing is amazing. Its just a shame I can't ski. It's snowing at the moment so conditions are really good. Behind us there are some nursery slopes where kids go whizzing by. I imagine I'll be spending quite a lot of time on them too. Think I'll have a crack at snowboarding. Must book some lessons.

Not seen Prince Charles yet, but will keep my eyes open. If I see him. you'll be the first to hear.

In Monza

Arrived about 2 hours ago, but still managed to squeeze in a pizza and a beer whilst watching Brazil v Italy at the local restaurant. Feel immersed in the local culture already. Here until Thursday evening. Hope the flight leaves OK. Off skiing the following morning.

Forest 2 Derby 3

There's nothing more satisfying for a footie fan to see your team come back to win. Derby were 2 nil down within 14 minutes, yet still managed to score 3.

Also, it was even more satisfying that we beat our local rivals and have got a home game against Man U in the next round. We've beaten them once. Can we do it again??

View From My Bedroom Window Overlooking Lake Geneva This Morning

Not that much snow here. Hope I manage to get back to London tomorrow.

Roman Holiday

Just back from a lovely weekend in Rome. It really is the most fantastic city. Although its a capital it feels small and intimate with narrow streets and quiet neighbourhoods. It's so easy to get around and you can see so much in a short space of time.

Stayed in a lovely area called Trastevere in a very friendly hotel called Hotel Santa Maria. Managed to eat al fresco on a couple of occasions.

I feel a bit overwhelmed by its beauty and feel I've only just scratched the surface of the city. The kind of place you want to return to again and again

A Few Rome Photos