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Connecticut public high schools will begin offering online courses to students next month, according to Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

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The year is almost over but there are still some miles waiting to be racked up. I am writing this on board LH from Vilnius to Frankfurt and then on to London.

I have just spent a great couple of days in Vilnius. I was invited there to switch on the Christmas Lights as part of our show Quest for the Festive Spirit. It’s the first time I have ever done such a thing – and the first time I have spoken to a crowd of a crowd of 25,000 (television doesn’t count – you can’t shout back at me; well you can but I can’t hear!!)

It was a lovely occasion, made warmer by the thermal underwear I bought. You really do have to invest in the right stuff to stay warm!

Tomorrow I head off to Lapland where we finish filming the show (another use for the thermals….don’t worry will run them through the wash first.). I am off to see Santa Claus. Ok.. ….the Finns say he lives in Lapland. The Swedes believe it is in their country. Same for the Norwegians, Greenland, Iceland and Russia.

Who knew visiting Santa Claus could end up as a political hot potato?

Oh, yes, earlier in the week I flew back from the U.S. (American Airlines, with miles going into AAdvantage.) The planes across the Atlantic are full. Heaving. Choca-block. Which is hardly surprising given the dollars dismal level. I just hope everyone remembers their national customs limits for gifts. Oh allright so I am being miserable. But something tells me HM Revenue and Customs won’t be playing Santa Claus if I break the limit just because the dollar is downright weak.

In fact things are SOOOOO cheap in the U.S. that some airlines are planning to pack the planes in January with “bargain day” shoppers. Get the 0800 to NY. Be there at 11:30. Shop till you drop and then return on the last flight back, getting in the following morning. I can’t say crossing the Atlantic there and back in a day is my idea of fun (yes I have done it once or twice when filming on board planes) but hey - if the savings are there, and let’s face it a visit to NY is always electric. I can hear the NY Tourism people almost clapping with joy.

Ok. I am rambling. Which probably means I should leave it there this week. Will definitely post pictures of me and Santa later in the week.

Richard

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