Just back from Munich which is one of my favourite cities.

It also has one of the most beautiful (and efficient) airports.

Amongst other things I was invited to a party at the Haus der Kunst to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the great publishing house of Langenscheidt. It's hard to describe exactly what it is that makes this sort of event in Germany so special - probably the fact that everything is done so well, the serious bits, the fun bits, the setting, the hosts and the guests. It was a great party.

If you read German (which I don't) you'll find this website invaluable. It started life in 1966 and is still going strong run by Christian von Zittwitz whom I met for the first time.

And today there will be great parties all over India to celebrate Diwali. I imagine the celebrations will be very different from the Bavarian ones of yesterday but no less enjoyable.

Next week I'm hoping to put together some words about Alan Maclean who worked for Pan and Macmillan for many years and died recently. For now I thought you might like to see a handsome picture of him.