Fondue night in Chambéry, version suisse--Thom arrived with the cheese (100% vacherin) and by 8 o'clock our little apartment was packed. There is Thom the chef on the right putting on the finishing touches. It was a happy reunion for him and Philippe, my other flatmate, who was his ski buddy in Grenoble.

This is Patrice, who I now realize is the French version of a leprechaun. He was our great benefactor in Ireland, and it was a shame that in the end he wasn't able to come himself. We have him to thank for our whole itinerary, for Joel, and for la folie pure.