...Dolby, I was completely floored at the ALM scent survival. But there it was, beating out the Goutal. Tomorrow I go to a graduation, a flight and car journey so I will pit a couple of others up against one another. Triffid is right, one needs to put them through their paces to gain a favoured position. A sleep and then here goes.

...Kelly Caleche today, the EDP, lasting about six hours now and just a skin scent but I'm lapping it up. Thunder clouds have built, it's 98% humidity and I'm glad I didn't wear Mitsouko, which I planned to do after reading Miss Frolova's blog this morning

...Yesterday was a hot day here in the Southern Hemisphere. I wore "Un Jardin après la Mousson" for a walk through the park with Luca the poodle. Later, having forgotten that I had used it, I sprayed myself with Annick Goutal's "Passion (Eau de Parfum)" for a trip to the shops. In the evening I sat down to watch Downton Abbey and it was Apres La Mousson that came to me, quite strongly in fact. Passion was all spent.

...I think Parfumo is wonderful, seems truly unisex and welcoming to new members, and like others, I wish it featured higher in the google searches, but as Apicus stated it is growing. Just yesterday Pipette took the time to point me in the direction of a draw. Thanks Pip.

...Basenotes is high on the search results and most budding enthusiasts will lurk, then join, then join in. The female forum is a tight clique of very nice submissive women who defer to the men. The men are often bawdy and get away with it without moderation. When a newbie questioned this she was told it started as a male forum, continued strongly as a male forum and 'what was her problem?' It happens, I guess.

...Sylvia stuck her head in a gas oven to commit suicide. One wonders how many 'opinion's she had. Her poem 'Daddy'? is full of repressed opinions.I wish she had lived. As a contributor to Parfumo at the very least

...My dog's name is Luca. (Standard Poodle) Originally he was named for the character in the movie, "French Kiss" played by Kevin Klein. In recent years he has morphed into Luca, the ultimate perfume reviewer. I value his opinion as much as the Emperor's. Just between us, I always thought that an unfortunate title, given the Emperor's New Clothes but Tania Sanchez herself recently tweeted 'There is only one Emperor'What is your dog/cat's name? How do they rate your perfume choices? Do they like civet? Catnip? Indoles?

...Yes, Dianne and Cincy, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I love fragrance in all its myriad forms but especially when it makes someone feel happy or beautiful, or in love, or gloomy. I love that the local wine shop was burning a fig candle in a hurricane lamp. I know I bought the wine because the shop smelled so good. Suckered!

...By the time I write a review I own the perfume; I do not write a review based on a paper strip or on perfume counter spritzes. At point of sale I have probably read everything there is to read on the fragrance. This is, largely, because I live in an isolated part of the world and can not take advantage of splits, swaps or decants from other enthusiasts. I do, however, have a daughter/daughters in law who allow me to borrow and return their perfumes. I am always interested in the backstory of a perfume or the human response to perfume in a review. I am less interested in the notes, which can be obtained easily and are usually repeated in review after review. I want to know if you wore 'Joy' to a funeral or 'Let it Rock' to a wedding and what haunts you or makes you sing 'We are the Champions'. I want to know if you smell B Odour in Mauboussin or Burnt rubber in L'Heure Bleu, because that is not described in the actual perfume release notes. Oh no. Awards, ticks and helpfuls are juvenile, in my opinion, and as subjective as each individual. Being a resident under the Long White Cloud I will never benefit from samples or points. What I want is a piece of someone's soul, which, when all said and done, is why we wear the stuff. Am I quixotic? Often, but not always.

...Omni:Triffid, you are a lovely mum. My middle son smells wonderful in Porsche Essence and guys who are getting into fragrance are sometimes reassured by the car thing. I know it's ubiquitous but Terre D'Hermes is just so gorgeous. Quasar by Jesus del Pozo is a lovely starter fragrance also.Oh, and Givenchy Pi for our vanilla explorer

...Triffid, you are a lovely mum. My middle son smells wonderful in Porsche Essence and guys who are getting into fragrance are sometimes reassured by the car thing. I know it's ubiquitous but Terre D'Hermes is just so gorgeous. Quasar by Jesus del Pozo is a lovely starter fragrance also.

...Try Declaration by Cartier or Azzaro Pour Homme. I hope you find something more suitable than the weak and musky Bulgari, a fragrance that did not find favour in this household, by him, or her.

...Scarletting:Jesus Del Pozo's "In Black" is a dark, heavy cherry booze with licorice. Perfect for autumn evenings.Indeed it is. My daughter stole it from me. It's a great suggestion.

...I entered a specialty wine shop and was struck by the obvious cellar smell, but they were also burning a fig type candle and there was a large flower arrangement on a central table. Quite delicious.

...Cabaret by Gres and Ambre Dore by MPG

...Un...exceptional. I played with the Fragrancenet sample for a couple of days. I live at the bottom of the world and never get jaded by samples.

...Bal a Versailles parfum

...I have to sell something to get one of these. I am looking at all my furniture and wondering what I can do without.

...Big fan of Iris 39. Was on holiday in San Francisco. Spent some time at their Fillmore St shop. Caught a bus wearing Iris 39, which didn't wow me at the outset, but I fell in love with it as it developed.

...Dior Homme, Eau Savage and Iris Bleu Gris by MPG easy peasy. Terre D'Hermes is often stolen. Have worn Pi when husband tired of it and Rochas Man.