Roma

Up at 4 am to catch a flight to Rome.

Mr S was well prepared for the Taxi mafioso who obviously don't understand the pricing rules for taxis in Rome, and have never argued with a canny Scot with a Presbyterian way with money!

Ended up on the city bus with plans to catch a cab at the station. Met two lovely Mancunians, Shirley and Brendan, and shared a cab. Mad crazy driver, no seat belts, chatting on his phone, driving one handed and cutting across lanes....it was like a ride at Alton Towers!

Although he was also masquerading as a pirate cos he robbed us on the fare and then switched a 20 euro note for a 5 and tried to say we paid wrong amount.  After he was rumbled, he lost the power of speaking English and legged it!

Gave us a laugh though, as we shared a lunch and a very large Peroni!

Managed a walk to the Vatican this evening, checking things out for tomorrow, dinner in a wee cafe near the hotel and now watching Italian Bakeoff!! They have a Mary Berry lookalike, but their coiffed Italian ain't no Paul Hollywood!

Love to all at home. Xxx