This chart is not slap-bang up-to-date. The price of Brent is now around $60. I never fretted unduly about oil prices; that was the advantage of being a broker.
Having a cheap and cheerful lunch in Venice reminded me of a day out in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence some five years ago. If you like a good train journey and a cheap lunch, read on Macduff.
Friday lunch was indeed at the Charterhouse, my second visit. Last year I went in the evening for a tour of the interior. On Friday we took a look at the outside; it was jolly chilly.
Battered fish, mushy peas, chips and tartar sauce followed by rice pudding with jam for lunch yesterday. Beer is available every day but wine is usually only served on Sundays. They very decently broke this rule for me so I had a couple of glasses of white Bergerac.
Taking a water taxi to or from the airport in or at Venice is an expensive luxury. In the old days the water bus went direct from Marco Polo to San Marco, threading through the canal at Arsenale. Then it re-routed to go via the Lido which takes over an hour.
At least my ninth visit to Venice but my first in January. Among the advantages at this time of year are clear skies and a low sun, creating a coruscating light show on the canals, and the absence of crowds.