I'd intended to keep up with De Spectaculis in a slightly more efficient manner, but you'd be astonished at how difficult it can sometimes be to access the web with just a computer and a phone line. Not all phone lines are created equal . . .

As we do every other year, we ended our skiing with a quick dash up to Quebec City to visit the graves of Mrs Martial's ancestors. We always time the visit with the end of Carnaval. This year was the 50th anniversary of the big bash. It's just like Rio only with a lot more clothes.

And I head of to the airport tomorrow night for a quick, one-week jaunt to Europe. One always has to keep the donors happy - and informed.