The figures which keep coming out showing increased numbers of visitors to Liverpool arts and cultural venues are extremely good news.
But as a "professional tourist" myself in countries all over the world, I really feel for anyone turning up in the city these days - let alone those of us who live here 24/7, 365 days a year (366 in 2008!).
Because these blasted roadworks seem to be getting worse not better.
So apologies to the eternally optimistic or the non-drivers among you, but I feel on the edge of a rant!
Whose bright idea was it to turn Liverpool into an assault course of cones and those garish water-filled barriers for one of the most important years in the city's history?
Is there anyone, anywhere, out there coordinating all this carriageway carnage?
If there is, they aren't making much of a fist of it.
Now I know there are emergencies which may need attending to. Or work that is ongoing and can't be moved. But come on, some of this is just plain silliness!
Leaving aside the madness of the city centre (non) movement strategy - hey, let's turn all the streets back to front, narrow the roads to build massive pavements which barely anyone uses creating ceaseless jams, and make people go round the houses to do a simple journey (all of which boosts carbon emissions mind you) - which has brought traffic to a standstill where it used to flow perfectly well, the proliferation of roadworks is simply jaw-dropping.
And visually depressing.
I'm glad the tourists are still turning up in their droves to see us. Keep on coming, please. Don't be put off by the crash-barrier chaos - we've still got another seven-and-a-half months of great culture for you to experience.
Culture and cones that is.
