At the risk of embodying the cliche of the stuffy Brit who always goes on about the weather, I have to say that these past few days in New York have been stunning: all crisp, blue skies and flame-like autumnal trees. As a result, I’ve spent as much of the weekend as possible outdoors, whether it be rambling through Central Park, walking along the High Line, or mosying about the West and East Villages.

I’ve also been lucky enough to attend some very interesting events. The stand out so far has been last week’s Memorial Event for the late historian Eric Hobsbawm, held at the New School where he spent many years as Visiting Professor and Professor Emeritus. A remarkable collection of academics came to discuss his life and work, not least the winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Amartya Sen, who gave the keynote (another Nobel Laureate, Joseph Stiglitz was in the audience). The calibre of speakers and packed theatre were a fitting testimony to Hobsbawm’s monumental body of work, and the contributions of his children Andy and Julia were particularly touching.

Off to Boston tomorrow, where the Brit in me can’t help but notice the forecast is for rain…