AKL Coes Sat 5 June 0600

Just got our instructions on where to met RR and Mary et al as we start our big driving adventure but more of that later.
Yesterday we had a leisurely start to the day and set off on foot at about 1030 to see the last of our must see's and recapture some of those from 2002 and earlier.

After the rain yesterdy it was mostly sunny and fine and the temps got as high as 29. Much water was drunk!!

We followed the basics of a 2002 LP for a walking tour through historic Rome not far from where we are staying at the Campo di Fiori and included the Largo Torre Argentina, a fantastic building that includes the Italian Centre for American studies, a home bulit n 1468, the Jewish quarter, a few ruins, the old fish market and the Tetro Marcello before moving on to Trajan's column and Forum before heading up to the Piazza del Campidoglio for the view but particularly to see the horseback bronze of Marcus Aurelius again. We then climbed all the way up Victor Emmanuelle - it is so easy to forget the scale of this building - it is magnificent in a gross sort of way.
We then proceeded to the Quirinale but the President was busy and could not see us today. Nice little pad though. Then looked in at the Palazzo Barberini before lunch in a cafe right on the Piazza Barberini. Highlight of the day. A DHL van completely burnt out being towed away - we missed the fire but every type of police was there just to be part of the action mainly directing trafic away from the site. After viewing the fountain and sculpture we walked home via the Piazza Colonna to see that triumphal column again before going through Piazza Navona for a last time - it was very full - and had an ice cream for our efforts at Campo. Fred and Olwyn joined us there for a catch up and a drink in our lounge AND at a local bar before they headed off to the Colosseum.
Put our feet - and other parts of our bodies - up for a while before going out to dinner locally at about 2000. Great meal in a family run restaurant - no menu - 4 courses - set price Menu included heaps of antipasto, pasta, pork with veg and to cap it off some cake and a juice. We were stuffed!! Home and did most of the packing for our departure tomorrow [today]

Hitting the road at 0900 in a shuttle for 4 to the Peugeot depot out near the airport!!!!
Then the fun will really start!