Another packed day on the cards, all packed and at a quick march to meet our new tour guide Antony. We are to been shown and taught about the ancient roman areas including the Roman Forum environs culminating in the Colosseum. Again our very own guide, in fact the owner of the company. He take us past places and "things" that under usual circumstances one would just wander by. The vantage points that he takes you to and the entire story that he unfolds via his musings and site considerations - one mans pile of rocks is another mans Julius Caesars' forum!

A fascinating insight, we are pushed for time as we only have four hours so he pushes us, at one stage he stops to wait for a few of us, says waiting for them - people that think they are on holidays . We are sold myth, fact and fiction all with the same enthusiasm and we drink it as quickly as we can. Seems there is a Michelangelo (the architect) on every street corner.

We wander through the depths of the forum now some five metres below today's ground level across to the main game - the Colosseum. I should never underestimate the value of the skip the queue tickets, it ran halfway round the place. Did you know that the building was constructed in such a manner that 60,000 people could get out in 10 minutes. Most modern stadiums in the world have some Colosseum design within. It would have been great if there were a few less people within, say 20,000! Another incredible structure and one more to feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to look and learn about.

Now a few minutes to noon and the rush is on. John is taken back to our apartment on the back of Antony's scooter to meet the guy who has to count our towels prior to our retrieval of the bond . We arrive back after some brilliant navigation by our new chief pointer in the right direction man - the Don. He has had been placed through a short intensive program by guru John, the Don knows thems there big shoes to fill. Lucky we were staying 10 minutes from the Colosseum. Then a dash to the main train station, again only 15 minutes at fast pace.

John - we now part company, after just on five weeks it ends with trains parting in the afternoon, we to Firenze and he to the airport to fly back to Australia. We have had such an adventure and will have tales that we will relive into a fine old age. Our friendship is like a great vintage of Grange - strong and full of complexity then developing into a mature and mellow blend. One that will pass the test of time. Thanks Cobber.

So from two to six now to five the magical mystery tour continues. Always sure that a curve ball stands in our way of success or success. Why that, because there are no fails in the holiday adventure front just different achieved outcomes . For example - we transferred from Roma to Firenze the onto a place called Pontedera with no problems. Communication in major cities is one thing and the communicating in small italian towns is quite another.

We are to catch a bus onto our new stopping point Vicopasano, a kind local with very little English befriends Donny on the bus, she wants us to get off at her stop and says she will go and get her car and take us so as we get there ok. We thank her but she insists on giving Donny her name and telephone number just in case. Come to think of it Donny said he couldn't sleep and went for a walk that night maybe a map reading session with Claudia ?? Anyway arrive in town and get directions to Massimo's B & B. Start the hike when a bloke on a push bike comes by, he then says gidday (that's because he is from Numurkah!) and says that he assumes we are on the way to Massimo's place. He takes us because naturally he is staying there, introduces us around to the other two couples of Aussies staying and hands out beers and the (soon to be) famous Vat number 1 to the girls. Massimo running late and Jon doing a cruise ship tour, they said they would look after us until they arrive home.

The lads arrive and take us to our lodging set on the highest point of the town. Great for views but as one can assume again mountain goat territory - by now the legs are of steel !! This place is amazing but only built in 1724 so relatively new. The tower in our back yard was built in the early 1400's. More on that later. Settle in then the lads take us down the hill and give a where to go and what to buy where tour, two minutes later we are at the wine bar then pizza place for a feed. All out to it standing up so go back up the hill and hit the sack with the clock tower right in front of our ranch letting us know the time on the hour every hour.