Happy Holidays

Hi everybody,

I am still alive and well. I arrived in Uruguay on 28 December. It is summer here and very pleasant with plenty of sunshine and occasional thunderstorms. My wife is Uruguayan, my son lives here, and we have not been for a while. We have many friends and relations here, and even I speak passable Spanish. It was not planned, but I have decided to take a break from the stock market. This is the first such extended break in half a century, or more so, I think forgiveable. I will be back in London on 3 February.

Best New Year wishes to you all.