I'm reading a lot about self-driving cars being developed at the moment. It seems to me at least that this is another area where the technologists are taking us when we don't particularly want to go. I understand the desire for safer cars...every road-death is a wasted life. But I really, really enjoy driving...one of life's pleasures so would feel a loss if it was my car taking me from A to B without my intervention. I know for some driving is not a pleasure, but let's not end up in a situation where to drive your own car you have to take it to a track...it makes me thing of people who now head to the gym because they've got so many labour-saving devices that they do no daily exercise such as walking to the shops...
Anyway we've just spent a few good days in Venice with friends. The crowds were fewer than you get in the heat of summer, yet we still managed to have sunshine and warmth throughout. As usual we had a guide with us throughout, so we managed to see a lot in a short period of time, our knowledge already bolstered by having watched on DVD he decade-old series about Venice by Francesco Da Mosto. Venice is, of course, just picture-postcard...everything is lovely...and I have described it as like listening to a greatest hits record. No real favourite bits...although thanks to the endeavours of our guide we were able to do things that many others wouldn't get the opportunity to...up the clock tower in St Marks, up the secret stairs in the Doges Palace, lunch with a Countessa at the hotel where George Clooney ceased to a batchelor, etc. Aren't we lucky? In four days I managed over a thousand photos, so if you fancy seeing them, do pop round. In the meantime, I was amused by the Venetian habit of hanging washing out to dry...it made me realise that as ridiculously beautiful as it is, living in Venice is not easy...so that was a theme for my picture taking
