The centre of Milan is built on a pretty monumental scale. Built to impress right from the early days. I did love the streets, which are criss-crossed with tram lines, that cut a path through and force the order of the fabulous granite (I think) stones that make up the roads. They are laid in simple but beautiful patterns. It looks to me as though at sometime they have been covered over with tarmac to make for a smoother ride, but the Italian drivers are so full of machismo, they must have asked for their bumpy rides back again – or it proved impractical or too costly.

There is something romantic about trams. I arrived back in the UK and had to spend a few hours in Nottingham, which also has trams – much more modern, but still quite romantic in the centre. I wonder if they are still romantic trundling through suburban estates?