Roughly two thirds of the way through. Where has the time gone? And, to boot, it was my last day of French today. Not sure I am speaking better but my comprehension certainly has improved along with my vocabulary. Funny though, I haven’t had to think about verb tenses for any number of years, let alone in French.

Sandy continues French until we come home.

Had a hugely pleasant lunch with Gord and Linda Sato at Restaurant Auguste (Gael Orieux), 54, rue de Bourgogne, www.restaurantauguste.fr, in the 7th arr., a little more upscale from our norm, and we got caught up on events domestic and foreign. Gord gave us the weekend Financial Times with the article on the gastronomic developments on rue Paul Bert to read. Was fun to read but unfortunately added a few more restos, one just around the corner, to my ever-expanding list.

Meanwhile, the IHT reported that the French are reducing the restaurant tax from just under 20% to about 5.5% but only as of July 1. Too bad for us, but great for anyone coming to Paris in the near future as the restauranteurs have promised to pass this savings on to the clientele. Hmmm, maybe.

Worked for the rest of the day and into the evening.