The ECB has (naturally) changed substantially throughout its brief existence. But the current changes are more fundamental, affecting the core of the Bank’s behaviour. Once the question was how Italy would be able to live with a German currency. Now it looks the other way around, how will Germany live…
In theory, the ECB should find it easier than most central banks to fight inflation. In fact, it is finding it more difficult, preferring to do nothing and rely on Mr Micawber’s dictum. This is partly because the ECB is in a process of transition, from ‘Teutonic’ to ‘Latin’. All…
They’d forgotten to tell Hotels.com that they were closed over the holidays. With this said, we’ve received very nice and welcoming treatment. There are 8 rooms of various size, all nice and warm with comfy beds.When we told them that we don’t eat pork, the breakfast buffe was enriched with delicius left-overs…
I am very pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, “Sailing Free – the saga of Kári the Icelander”, a novel co-authored with my good friend and colleague John Nugée. Sailing Free follows the lives of Kári Ragnarsson, an Icelandic shipowner and merchant trader, and his brother Guðmundr, who stays…
Inflation continues to surprise central bankers on the upside Yet planned/expected interest rate moves will still leave real policy rates negative for years With broad money growth again accelerating, this means continued above-target inflation Another month has passed, another month when inflation surprised on the upside in the major Western…
Let’s start with the positive: there is a contraption for squeezing your oranges. As for the rest, this breakfast, sad to say, confirmed my views on French hotel breakfasts in general. Yes, the bread was fresh. But, very limited choice of fruit, no vegetables, not much in terms of cheese…
This is the one hundredth entry on the Stein Brothers Travel Breakfast Blog since it began in late 2017! Please feel free to contribute entries. I am normally not very impressed by French hotel breakfasts (there are exceptions; after all, one of my favourite breakfasts was in France, as outlined…
Nominal broad money growth is slowing but is still inflationary. Higher inflation is eroding real broad money growth, implying weaker activity. The macroeconomic outlook for 2022 is decidedly less pleasant. The fact that current inflation may not turn out to be transient (whatever that means) after all, is beginning to…
I am running out of superlatives for Swedish breakfasts. So, to be brief: this one had all the ‘standard’ items (including herring and salmon). In addition, they had reindeer steak! The scrambled eggs were very nice, although the bacon was disappointing. I didn’t try the pancakes or the croissants, but…
This is yet another example of why Swedish hotel breakfasts are so good. The hotel is perfectly ordinary, nice but nothing fancy. However, the breakfast is excellent. A nice spread of breads, freshly baked of course (good croissants), cold cuts, cheese and vegetables. And in contrast with some other places…
