Some facts about NATO summit...

We all knew it was going to happen, but it was still a shock that on Tuesday morning, when the better part of Riga was partitioned off, behind miles of Steel barriers. Not sure if this was to keep the NATO participants in , or keep the citizens out.The city was almost surreal in its appearance. It was almost totally deserted, with only a few people on the streets, and absolutely no cars, and even if there were some, then those were the official ones. Clearly the citizens of Riga had taken the advise of the government to heart and stayed away. Only limited access into the old town - in fact only three ways you could get in, but strangest of all was Livu square, complete with the wooden huts so familiar when a fair is one, the trees were decorated with Christmas lights, all very twee - no people of course, as presumably all the 5000+ NATO attendees were otherwise engaged serving their masters, be they political or media type.

Speaking of security, the interview was given by Mr Blair outside the Hall where the meeting was taking place. He simply walked out of the building, over to the waiting press, spoke his few words, answered some question and strolled back into the building. All on his own - no minders - nothing - wonder what would happen if George did the same thing ?

Finally a thought for all the various guests as they leave Riga, aren't you wondering what their memories of Riga will be ? Well, each of them has been given a special gift - Mittens !