Top o’ the world, ma! And top of the World Cup too. Yes, I finally did it.

There’s no getting away from football in Brazil this month — which is absolutely fabulous if you’re a fan.

Slamming, body-rocking heat greeted the traveller in Manaus yesterday. When even the local taxi driver wipes his forehead and declares it’s "mucho calde" you know this isn’t a climate for the faint-hearted.