Just a note on why I haven’t raved about Rome: I didn’t see much of it. And I didn’t get lost, or deliver my talk to the wrong conference, or save the Pope from an embarrassing situation involving jellied eels, or anything else noteworthy. I did a little sightseeing but at night, so the monumental stuff only.

I was patting myself on the back for having spent some time studying the beautiful inscriptions on the triumphal arches near the Colloseum — until I realised (just now) that Trajan’s Column is in Rome. Even worse, I have a nasty feeling that I walked past it, and admired it from afar, but didn’t check out the inscription. Which would be the point, really.

From now on, I do my research before I travel. Can’t wait for my next chance to get to London.