Not having received any reply to Tigger’s text, we ventured out into the night to search for food.

Making pizza

British readers will no doubt recognise the stripey shirt as standard wear in PizzaExpress restaurants. There is a branch near our temporary accommodation. That seemed good enough in the circumstances.

On the way back, we even found a shop open for some last-minute purchases.

Street illuminations (photo by Tigger)

Even the back streets were decorated with colourful illuminations.

Street illuminations (photo by Tigger)

Although it is a degree or so warmer here than in London, we did not feel like hanging about and so returned to the apartment.

Our temporary home is on the third floor. It is accessed by a steep, narrow staircase comprising 53 steps. Yes, 53, and there is no lift. If I lived here, that staircase would either kill me or make me healthy. All being well, I won’t be here long enough for either outcome to occur.