If future generations actually survive, they'll marvel at the dirty, unpleasant atmosphere of the Noughties' cities, as we do about London's sooty skies in the days when coal was king. Today the exhaust fumes and traffic noise make even a quick walk to the shops deeply unpleasant – meaning more people hop into their cars, even for short journeys. As a pedestrian, I dream of the days of green transport, mainly so I can carry on proper conversations without shrieking to be heard over the rumble of lorries and the roar of 4x4s.

In the middle of the night, with traffic noise subdued, we can hear Big Ben from our house. Imagine a London with noiseless electric trams, busses and cars – the chimes would be heard throughout the city once more, albeit with the odd siren thrown in.

 

Last week, before heading for the National Theatre (love those Travelex £10 tickets!) we went to Las Iguanas, one of the new cafés in Festival Walk, beside the Royal Festival Hall. The space under the arches of the Hungerford Bridge is fantastic and there are dozens of tables outside on the 'piazza' – far from cars, so very civilised.

 

Let's face it, we're more likely to embrace European-style café culture when alfresco tables aren't cursed with roaring traffic and stinking fumes. The chilly evenings – now that's another problem. When I first came here from Miami, I joked that it was a judicious move – with global warming, London would soon be sultry too. But in the words of Morrissey, that joke isn't funny anymore. And don't even let me hear you *think* the words 'patio heater'.