Grandma takes a tumble

While out for a Boxing Day walk, Grandma manages to get over the muddy stile in one piece - and then slips in the field. Luckily several cameras were trained on her.

A sad farewell

With Linda going on maternity leave and me leaving the BBC, it was time to find a home for the Gerbil of Death, our much-loved office pet, who first came to prominence at the office Halloween Party two years ago.

And so Designer Extraordinary, Fiona Stewart, was picked as his new owner. And, in an emotional ceremony yesterday, he was delivered to his new home on the second floor at Pacific Quay. Let's hope Fiona takes as good care of him as I did and keeps up his Facebook page. If you're wanting to be his friend (and God knows, he needs them), search for Gerry O'Death...

Oh, please no...

As we try to monitor both our food and drink intake over the Festive season, here's one Christmas treat I'm glad we've never taken to over here. Egg nog.

The wonderful Serious Eats has published a recipe for the stuff. Frankly, just reading it makes me feel queazy, let alone attempting to consume a glass or 5 or 6 at a Christmas party.

I'll stick to a good Provence rosé, thank you very much. Or some warming mulled wine.

I want one!

Those clever folks at Think Geek - who have some pretty nifty stuff - have gone and created the best-ever thing.

A t-shirt which reads the level of wifi signal around the wearer. Super cool - as long as you don't walk around looking obsessively down at your own chest and, inevitably, walking into walls, pillars or other geeks who are also not watching where they are going.

Webcammery

The observant amongst you will have noticed my frequent posts plugging gorgeous views of my favourite beach in the Var.

Well, the webcam site which hosts the camera at St Clair - and others in Le Lavandou - has been redesigned and I'm now a regular viewer of what's on in Quimper (location of the Celtic Film Festival in 2002), Argeles (camping trip with Nick in mid 80s) and, of course, Sanary.

If you want a quick tour de France, on sea, land and snow, check out Viewsurf.

First fire!

First fire!
Originally uploaded by Blue Blanket

With the assistance of a seasoned fire-starter, I lit the living room fire the other night. There were a few dribs and drabs of coal in the coal scuttle, some kindling and a few of those pressed wood briquette jobs. And it took quite the thing!

It was all so heart-warming that we had to open another bottle of rosé. Then just sat watching the flames till they went out.

Working hard at web 2.0

In the Nokia room, which I think was the best place to be at the Palace Hotel. Unlike the main conference room (the grand ballroom), here there was power for your laptop, room to move about and drinks and snacks on tap.

It was also a good way to get to know your fellow-outcasts (this was meant to be the overflow room) who ranged from impossibly-young CEOs of Palo Alto start-ups, senior folk from Microsoft and French product developers from Nokia. I picked the right spot.

Drumming

I took a wander along Market Street at lunchtime today and came upon this brilliant drummer, using only a plastic bucket and lamppost. The chap on the mobile phone is a pal of his and I think he was rapping along, which was quite cool, too.

He got faster later on, but I clipped the beginning of it, sadly.

Cafe de la Presse

Cafe de la Presse
Originally uploaded by Blue Blanket

By luck or by design, I ended up in the French quarter of San Francisco. Actually 'quarter' might be overstating it, more like one block - but a hundred yards or so which house the French consulate, the French school and church and great eating places like this, the Cafe de la Presse. And, joy of joys, they also own the wine bar a couple of doors down - the Rouge et Blanc - where you get a fine glass of Muscadet. Although I did balk slightly at paying $5 for a small plate of smoked nuts.

Rivers of air?

If you are slightly fearful of flying, let my wee brother, Captain (yes!) Colin Adair, tell you about turbulence and why Mr Boeing made his planes so sturdily.

He never told me he'd made this little film - go ten titles down to find him. Possibly because his hair needed fixed by a professional and whoever built the website couldn't spell 'safety'...

Oh, and it's his birthday today so call this a sardonic 'homage' to a great brother. Happy birthday, Cokey!!

Gay penguins in adoption shocker

While wandering through the Christmas section (yes!) in Macy's last night, I came upon these two penguins. And they reminded me of the current furore here over a lovely new children's picture book called 'And Tango Makes Three'

It features the heart-warming story of two male penguins who, after unsuccessfully trying to hatch a stone, are given a baby penguin to look after. As you might imagine, it has caused something of a ruckus in the US and appears to be up there with Harry Potter and 'Heather has two Mommies' as the topic of choice of the chattering classes.

Duck and cover

Yikes. You forget when you come to the Bay Area that Nature's perils are everywhere. And not just in the fiendishly steep hills or kamikaze cab drivers. No, earthquakes. Luckily, I checked out this useful guide to how to survive the next big one - which apparently could come along anytime now.

Only in California, though, would you get more advice from the newspaper on how to save your pets than how to rescue old people or children. But then, where else would you see endless ads for a hotel for your dog or cat? Just put them in a kennel with 15 other small animals and let them get on with it, I say...

Breakfast in America

An early start this morning in San Francisco - I woke at 4 am. Damn jet lag.

I was well ready for hash browns, bacon and poached egg at Lori's Diner by 7.30. Great atmosphere with 50s Juke Boxes playing Elvis, Chuck Berry and Sam Cooke. Set me up for the day nicely.

Grape-picking dummy

Grape-picking dummy
Originally uploaded by Blue Blanket

Folk in Pierrefeu wear this kind of outfit most days - even the men. But at this time of year the vendange is all finished and this get-up is restricted to peasant-dancing and other frivolity.

Meanwhile, back at PQ...

Meanwhile, back at PQ...
Originally uploaded by Blue Blanket

Gordon Brown opened the new BBC Scotland building at Pacific Quay yesterday.

The staff came out in droves to hang over the balconies and listen. One radio producer seemed unimpressed though... While simultaneously blending into the decor.