International day trips have a certain machismo about them – 4am starts trying not to wake sleeping babes whilst tiptoeing out of the hotel room, bleary eyed on the firstHeathrow Express to Terminal 1 and a brain fug that only, finally starts to clear in the taxi from Malpensa to the Frog Design Milan studio. Thanks to Sergio and the team for enriching the day, the first of many I’m sure.

The return trip to London could’t have had a different atmostphere than the first leg – a combination of a class of young teens preening, giggling and Nintendoing their way onto the plane; the captian providing an abbreviated commentary of the Brazil – Netherlands match to a connectivity deprived passengers as we sat waiting for a take-off slot to London – sample to be read in a slow right-stuff drawl: ‘It seems that Brazil have scored again [collective groan] ……. unfortunately in their own net [rapid cheering, teens ramp it up a notch].

Ciao Milan, thanks for the coffee. A full day to savour friends in London, then home.