Is there a sanity test whilst on leave or is it that my sanity has taken a leave of absence. We are all up around 5.30 am so as to catch a 6.30 am train to partake in an audience with our new best mate Pope Francis, Frankie to his mates at 10.00 am!

We arrive around 7 . 00 am and form a queue with a few other early bird pilgrims. Last evening our tour guide dropped off our tickets and took us through an exhaustive information session on which area is the best and which side of the lines one needs to be in etc etc etc. Wandered in an achieved a reasonable position only 13 rows from the front in the public section with say only half a dozen of so rows of seats behind us. I said to the others we should have taken an earlier train and we could have achieved my personal aim of row 10 or better but alas not to be.

With the anticipation levels building and with every tick of the clock we somehow were able to get down our pre-prepared breakfast rolls All were given strict instructions of no fluids - sort of like a self fasting situation before one is getting your prostrate checked, but there will be no fingers in front of PF today!

I hope I have painted the picture and now for the thousand ish fellow pilgrims out rolls PF in is oversized motor scooter with his very own cameraman shooting close up shots for us to view on a 60 inch TV monitor . Wow wee. I was able to capture these moments for you to share as well, I especially the one of Donny in a true personal moment with PF. PF a little hard to understand as he was chatting to us in every language other than English but I can assure you we have been blessed and apparently this personal blessing also can be passed on to ones family and friends so take it as a given that you have been blessed, just by reading this blog.

After the audience we and a few other fellow pilgrims wandered off to the local to share the experience together. I said to M-L that she should have spoken to her mother who could have spoken to Father Ted who could have spoken to his bestie Father George who then could have spoken to his new bestie, PF and we could have easily been in the front row. Still, a once in a life opportunity now done and dusted - can not recommend it (sorry high enough).

Kathy has arranged a personal tour guide this afternoon so we meet up with Andrea who is guiding just the six of us around the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St . Peter's. We feel special as the run of the mill guides all have a pack of 20, 30, some more all with an ear piece in. The problem is that the guide is already taking about something else when you get to the particular point. Andrea taught us so much during the tour, under normal circumstances you would just walk right on by but with her everything was brought to life, although not cheap at 80 euro each I would also say worth every euro spent. Mary-Liz vowed to not visit any museums but she said it was really interesting and enjoyable.

Andrea's knowledge was encyclopaedic like, she entertained Maddie and enthused John all at the same time. She briefed us on the genius that was Michelangelo and went in depth on all things relating to the Sistine Chapel. We then joined the throng and marched our way down a long alleyway into the Chapel, the actual floor space is reasonably small but it is the walls and particularly the ceiling that is an absolute show stopper. You just tilt the head back and gaze in reasonable quite and absolute amazement . They say that all that has been done is clean the art but the vivid clarity of richness remains and is set before you. If you have been you will be nodding as it is just something that will stay with you. The way in which Michelangelo arranged each depiction all with wonderful scale, I just shake my head, this bloke was a wonder in our history. For those who have not yet visited (and you need to in your lifetime) look up the works as it will enrich your soul and you can gain a glimpse of another wonderful tour moment.

Next onto and into the Cathedral, by now you may have picked up that I have sort of a love / hate relationship with ABC,s. I am captivated by the sheer proportion and overall scale that these spaces have and take. The lives that were changed and the ingenuity of people and community exchange and domination for and by power of friend and foe, some taking 700 hundred years (in the case of Milan) and now we are at the big daddy HQ. I do not get a feeling of religiousness but St. Peter's is something to behold. It only took 140 years to build, the scale of this sucker is just awesome. With our guide in tow we go move through the building, which by the way is the largest church in the world. Donny going ga ga with the golf leaf work on the ceiling.

The day has been very tiring - talk about being on "holiday" so say our goodbyes to Andrea then head back to our terrific apartment in Roma Central, again a good get by Kathy to rehydrate. All clogged with urban grime the shower block received plenty of attention. Also washing to be done - see the boys hanging the washing. Fun dinner at a simple restaurante as it is John's last supper so to speak. Bed as we have another early rise in the morning - all in all another bottler of a day.