Things have been very quiet on the Casa Capena front as everyone recovers from their summer holidays and gets ready for the inevitable downhill run to Christmas – though we are already getting enquiries for as far ahead as next autumn.

I’ve taken advantage of the lull to throw myself into my day job of translating – and also for a trip to Iceland. I had reason to rue to the name last year when the volcanic ash cloud virtually stopped all our  bookings for six months but the place itself was an absolute delight.

I can report that, contrary to expectations, it was not unduly cold, expensive or dark. Iceland is an extremely civilised place, with 100% literacy and virtually no crime. Reykjavik was great – full of cosy little cafes and bars. We had tickets to a music festival as part of our trip and were able to wander from venue to venue through the tiny city every evening. Most of the bands were completely unknown to us as there was a heavy emphasis on techno music – but we were unlucky enough to catch one familiar face:  Yoko Ono, still wailing away and using John Lennon’s name as her meal ticket.