146 ON DAYS LIKE THESE...

These days, when you come, the beautiful sun...I get a flush of excitement thinking about our trip next year and start planning a playlist of songs to have blasting out as we snake our way around the Gotthard Pass.

The first song that comes to mind is 'On Days Like These' by Matt Munro (real name Terence Edward Parsons, fact fans), from the 1969 film The Italian Job, starring Michael 'you're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off' Caine.

The film opens with thief Roger Beckerman driving through the Alps in an orange Lamborghini Miura, accompanied by the strains of Munro singing in Italian over a beautifully orchestrated backing.

Spoiler alert: he, and the priceless Lambo, come to a sticky end before the track is finished, but the sequence, while it lasts, is stunning.

Beckerman sawing at the wheel, negotiating a tight, twisty alpine road, cigarette hanging from his mouth, sunglasses on, snowcapped mountains shimmering in the sun as Munro, dubbed 'The Man With The Golden Voice', delivers an effortless performance.

It isn't just Terry Parsons' talent that makes the track stand out; it was written by Quincy Jones and produced by George Martin, so there is quite a pedigree behind it. Little wonder it is so good. Click on the image above to watch the video and hear just how good it is...

I just need about 19 more tracks as evocative as this and I'll have a decent soundtrack for when we travel from Freiberg to Menaggio over the mountains. There, I've gone again, getting all giddy at the thought!!! Questi giorni quando vieni, il bel sole...