So when in Roma do as the Romans do

Does this mean I have to don all black with a ring of white around my neck, if so I want to see the girls with (bad) habits as they are also all over the place .

Train to Roma then just a 10 minute walk to our apartment on busy via Merulana 215. We waited for just on an hour which is the problem when you are dealing with third parties, anyway the time not lost as it is an experience just to watch life go by in a busy area of Roma. The congestion, parking where one wants regardless of the horns and verbal barrage received, the people being so multicultural with the touts after us - we tend to stand out, especially with back packs. There happened to be a few spots of rain so from a central point the main van distributes umbrellas then the moment the sun is out the van picks up and they are back flogging Roma nick knacks.

The owner of the whole shooting match where we are staying also came along for check in, our reputation again. Sorry, seems he wanted to check out the plumbing but also very helpful. Disappointed that we were only on the 1st floor and not the 6th floor!

Seems so much to see and do in so little time, we are not sure of the current conditioning of the new arrivals, maybe will need to prescribe a spoonful of cement .

Went to the supermarket, still not a patch on the ones in Belgium, but do like all the charcuterie and also still in cheese heaven. Stock up on supplies, we love the 1.5 lit bottles of wine, drink them now in water type glasses (and like water).

Then pound the pavement, the trick is to go a far as possible and then see if you can find your way back - always impossible without a map. Naturally a few ABC,s around, god and me are now thick as. This one was Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Donny will go agog with all of the gold leaf work. They say second only to the main game in town for Christian art, even impressed John enough to take some PO 's.

Wandered back for a nanna nap then a cheap feed close by. Expecting the newbies to be here around 11.00 pm. Our front door buzzer went off at around 9.30 pm with some Italian voice at the other end so took no notice. Then 10 minutes later it went off again so I just listened with nothing . Turns out the cavalry had arrived and it was the taxi driver that rang the bell, then nicked off. They were able to get through the big doors but had no idea where we were! They were there for a little longer before M-L went back out and tried again, success. They were happy to finally reach their destination some 24 hours after departure, good trip and all went as expected and we pleased to see them. They were impressed with the airport at Dubai, it is large clean and new with all the exterior in glass.

A chat and then Maddie was keen to show us her new note book that she has for her travels - guess what it is the same as John's only in a more discrete white exterior. She is going to help John with his over the next few days, especially Animal Farm 1 2 3 !!! Perhaps a lesson in finger painting as well.