When I was at school our English Literature syllabus had us studying Shakespeare’s play of greed and revenge. 

As part of our studies we put on a stage production. I secured the part of Portia’s messenger who announces the arrival of the Prince of Arragon. A whole eleven lines, which to this day I am convinced I delivered with theatrical aplomb!

Another boy in our year played the wizened hunchback Old Gobbo. Thereafter, whatever nicknames he had before, he was hence forward known to everybody, including the teachers, as Gobbo. 

I was delighted to be reminded of this during my visit to Venice this June when I came across the Hotel Gobbo. 

I took this photo and was pleased to see that it appears to show OG balancing on my suitcase. 

All that glisters is not gold……