The hills around the capital, which should be a fresh green at this time of year, have already turned a dull brown.

ECONOMIST: Syria

But today, we are alone and as the late afternoon sun turns the dull brown mountains a richer, deeper shade of ochre it is time to head down and start the long drive back to Erbil and the complexities of modern Iraq.

FORBES: Iraq - but not as you know it.

Nor do we mean to suggest, in asking whether the chancellor knows what he's doing, that Mr Brown is a dull fellow.

ECONOMIST: Toil and muddle

In the polished glass the dull walls seemed brighter, the bedroom door a richer brown.

NEWYORKER: Miracle Polish