JANI

Trips to Finland, Estonia and another trip to UK have reinforced my view that Latvia really is in worse condition than the rest of Europe. Not that I needed much convincing. Tuesday morning at Stanstead airport was hectic and the number of travellers was huge. It makes Riga airport look even more rural than it is.

But at least I manged to get back for midsummer celebrations in Mazsalaca. Jani is special for Latvians and when I got back into Riga it was empty like the city of London on a wet November Sunday. Everyone seemed to have left for the country. The Jani evening was warm and bright. It never really got fully dark. The only difference this year was that the table was not groaning under food as previous years. Eating is now expensive and money must be preserved. But there was still enough meat for all, including the dogs and cats, who must think Jani is gods answer to them. they sit round the bonfire poised and watching for any plate that touches the ground - and becomes officially theirs!

So back to work. Gatis Kokins has highlighted the long Economist article about the Baltics on Twitter. I think that people do not realise how precarious the Baltic States are in security terms at the moment. I hope that we get through the coming months without unwelcome visitors from next door.