Esther (via contact form): Camden is not my favourite place for shopping (I’m assuming you mean clothes). Mainly branches of chains and independent shops that seem to have the same stock. Sorry not to be of much help.

Rosa (via contact form): The Minnetonka run true to size. Don’t be alarmed when you put them on because they fit very tightly at first but expand quickly. I wear them in US Men’s 6 or Women’s 8. The style does come in a few variations though – sheepskin or fleece (fake sheepskin); soft leather soles (indoor use only) or gum – so check to be sure you’re buying what you are expecting.

Lenneke: Sometimes I wish I capture more; I’m not good with taking pictures of people. Having a camera convenient enough to take everywhere certainly helps though.

may: I’m especially amused by the one on the head.

bollett: Hello! There will be London soon again, I promise. I’ve hardly been out of north London since I’m back. Just catching up with work and such.

Sabine and Bardotty: Those are cakes worth exclaiming about. The tiered, toppling mess would be a perfect wedding cake.

Josh B: Good to see you and Yuko… but the rain!

Ell: Momofuku makes the kind of food that you have to try once but I shouldn’t have had it twice in a row. Too heavy! Perhaps you could get their cookbook? I’ve never got my bagels for free in Brick Lane. And things for doing alone during the holidays? I was playing with my dolls (I had quite a few Blythe at that time).

jimjam: Days are always better when the sun is around, no?

Su-Lin: It’s still my favourite thing there, the pretzel croissant. Bit more substantial than a regular croissant because of the flour used but with pretzel flavour, goes well with scrambled eggs. I suspect Kenny Shopsin only goes off at people whom he knows can take it. He was entertaining some children with jokes about their fake fur coats and hats. I probably look like I might cry if he shouted at me. The only shouting I witnessed took place in the kitchen with his assistant.

Marion, Marta and July: Thank you, so generous with your words.

Mausumi: You’ll like Portland, Oregon too then. Somehow I don’t remember fire escapes in San Francisco, just imposing houses.

chesil b.: I’m glad. But I’m not travelling for long periods without the MacBook again.

Kelly: This was a work trip so don’t be envious!

Maeko: Me too, I wished I ate in the Breslin but the restaurant has not started serving dinner yet at that time. Soon they will. And thank you very much for the award, I appreciate it even though I don’t often talk about it.

Helen: I guess because it was close to closing time but I got free meyer lemon custard because of that.

Carole: Shake Shack is not that unhealthy because the burgers are small. My reasoning… Maybe I will need a sheepskin jacket this year too. I’m already in down coats!

roos: Ah, I always thought it was English.

ai: Chicago was too cold for me. Amazed by the lake. Not so much by the retail scene.

Priscilla and Benji: It’s a Pomeranian with a hair cut and I think a dye job.

haeshu: Not sure, it all depends on the demands at work. I didn’t even get to go downtown…

Thom: Especially now that I heard about eating maple syrup on ice…

vic: I ordered a deep pan pizza to the hotel but it didn’t look very thick. I was disappointed as I saw thicker samples around town but I obviously picked the wrong places.

Annette: Because it’s a huge dessert that has to be shared. The brownie was like a brick. Not a stupid question though, I never knew that sticking a knife upright into food was normal but it must not be that uncommon because I saw the same thing in another restaurant with bread.

graziella: Delicious, raw quail’s egg yolk with black tobiko! The dessert was brownie covered with whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, strawberries and ice-cream on the side.

viv, editor and nico: I was rather disappointed when in LA, I didn’t even get to see the “stretch” where things happen.

wl: Singaporean chilli sauce (Chinese, sambal, etc) >>> Hot sauce. I think.

Isabela: I’m quite scared of flying but I try not to think about it.

John: It was actually quite a mountain of a brownie dessert. I’ve never seen anything like it. A plane, like those cocktail umbrellas, would be a nice touch.

Marta: Yes it’s the perfect country for a road trip. I am obsessed about the ideas of roadside diners.

Chiara: There were a couple of pandas on the carousel. Of course, I thought of you. And the DMs were such a joke for Halloween (maybe 10 years ago)!

yuko: I’ve sort of re-like London again (until petty service gets me down again). I’m very happy to be back actually. What are the places you wanted to go to?

Narumi and nico: In this case, I have to say looks are deceiving. The fish plate was the best bit about the dish.

randy russell: Happy to share.

Rosaline: I’m still missing In-and-Out. When I first saw the fries, I thought, “Oh, so pale.” But they really grew on me, so fresh. I really like the grilled taste of the burger as well. Only complaint is the bun, it kept getting stuck to my teeth.

sarah: Hello hello, Urbi Orbi has a new look!

Phyu Phyu, Isabela and enuwy: The Christmas-decorated trees were especially nice because of the yellow leaves matching the yellow lights. Simple really is best huh?

Pimienta: I’m back now. Slept more in the US than here!

Lucie: Thank you for the offer but I didn’t really have much “roaming” time as I was with work people.

Klacken: I’ve had very good lunches lately as I was brought to a nice English gastropub and it’s so close to my house! Do you know how the Kina bar got its name?

graziella: I was in and out of LA. Didn’t get to see much.

jing: It’s a bit of both. I don’t like fast food in London – limited choices – and fast food is easy when you’re on the road.

skirmishofwit: I’m extremely fond of food in Portland, I think they are some of the best I had in the US.

Des: Exactly what I was trying to say but you said it better.

joop: I haven’t started to read it. How far have you got? I must start soon so we can have a Hong Lou discussion though I suspect I might be in the Daiyu camp.

catastrophe: I might try the hbh with brioche. Haven’t cooked with it but my mum says it’s good with vegetables. Maybe French beans?

Sarah: Did you find anything good at the market?