My hotel room looked out over the old town towards the port. I had left the window and the shutter open in order to listen to the singers in the streets (they continued into the small hours). At five-thirty I was awoken by a commotion in the port. A massive cruise ship was just arriving. (In my picture you can see it dwarfing a much prettier visitor.) Now wide awake, I donned my running shoes and went for a jog around the bay. By seven o’clock the sun was already hot and the sea was just too tempting. Crossing the railway lines and clambering down a sea wall I found a secluded beach that I had all to myself. I stripped off and swam, then dried off in the sun before running back to the hotel. If only every day could start like that!