The REAL story, oh Best Beloved.

A cobra waits, silently, knowingly, aware that it has the skills necessary to render it's chosen prey helpless. A mongoose, excited, enthusiastic, energetic, goes happily about its business, yelling "Come with me! It'll be fun!" The mongoose can go places the cobra cannot go easily: upstairs, on top of hills, as long  it's moving, it's energy is boundless. But the cobra waits. Then it strikes! The hapless mongoose lies silent, in pain, and the cobra, with quiet determination and a wry smile, slithers quietly off into the jungle.

A parable? To day, after we had a strenuous day in Siena and San Gimignano, Louise climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa, 300 steps up and 300 down. An amazing feet that she says nearly killed her. You think she'd be grateful for the ticket...