Lunch

We had lunch today on the covered roof terrace at the back of the house with my French translator and her husband. It has a splendid view over the garden. Fortunately we had a visit from the gardener yesterday, and for once it was actually looking quite tidy. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was a perfect 26C. Later it got to nearer 30 and we retreated into the cool of the house.

The rest of the day was spent packing. We leave in the morning for Italy. I have an event on Friday at one of the biggest literary festivals in the country, at Mantova, a video interview, and a Press interview with La Repubblica.

We fly into Venice tomorrow and out of Milan on Sunday, and have Friday and Saturday in Mantova which is, apparently a stunning old town surrounded by lakes. Looking forward to it.