The first thing you notice when you arrive in Ischia is the heat. And approximately 3.7 seconds later, just as you’re looking to change your t-shirt because that dry one is suddenly soaking wet, you notice the humidity. It is intense.

However, as someone who has quite literally sweated all over the entire world, this is possibly one of the most beautiful environments in which I’ve ever chosen to abundantly perspire.

The island, a mere hour’s sail from Naples, is, like everything else in this part of the world, volcanic. So its not blessed with endless golden beaches. Instead, it would win a rock contest with anywhere. And for a tiny island, its very hilly and mountainous. So you don’t really drive ‘round’ it as ‘up and down and in and out’ of it. And you find some fantastic little coves, like the one pictured, on the south coast, where the sea itself is so full of volcanic… stuff, that merely swimming in it makes you at least 12 years younger, fitter, stronger, healthier and better at ‘wordle’. Of course, in the land of Ulysses, you don’t just ‘get’ there. Life’s little rewards have to be earned in truly epic fashion. So you drive until the road runs out. Then you walk and descend hundreds of steps to the cove. Which is rocky. And only after you spend some time stumbling over those, heading towards the sea in 40 degree heat like a baby turtle hatchling trying to get to the water before they die!!!!, only then can you submerge into the volcanic wonders and thermals of the region. Although the sea ‘bed’ is in fact just more big rocks too, which is interesting in a ‘don’t fall over and don’t cut your arms and legs’ kind’a way.

Lunch there was fabulous in the beach bar and also possibly makes you younger and healthier.

Today’s Wimbledon final is something special. Is Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, really ready to get between a Djok and a hard place to prove his arrival at the top? Winning endless tournaments that no-one’s ever heard of is all well and good, but Djokovic on Centre Court? I hope he succeeds, I really do. Everyone in the crowd really hopes so too, except Goran Invanisovic and Mrs Djokovic, and even she’s not decided who she’s cheering for. Carlos will need to bring a game of such A-ness, as he never has before. I’m not sure the man has been invented who can beat the horrible Serb. Not yet.

Happy Wedding day

A xxxx