When I was in lovely Shrewsbury earlier in the year, I bought a Folio edition of “The Stones of Venice” by John Ruskin for neighbours who are 50 years married this week. They travel to Venice a lot and he did his PhD on some church there (shamefully I have forgotten which one). They are going to Venice on Thursday for their anniversary so I handed over my book with a feeling of inner smugness. They invited us in for a cup of tea and put the present to one side. We went home and 10 minutes later they turned up on the doorstep having opened the present and they were absolutely delighted. It was so gratifying. Is there a nicer sensation than knowing you have got a great present?
