Sunday, September 16, 2012


Tuesday 16  September

Woke early today to the sound of light rain – which soon cleared – left tent, having emptied car! for garage. Pleasant man who said service (short one) plus mending wipers would be about 4700 lire. Leaving the car we walked to Piazza Vescono, caught # 35 bus to main station (Temini) for 50 lire each. Went into tourist office to obtain the usual excellent street plan free (why people buy maps I’ll never know!). Then to Italian Auto club to complaint about Autotrade cost. As we thought we had been overcharged and tomorrow are going to see man about it. Next back to the station, caught the # 20 bus headed “Circolane Sinistr” which for 50 lire drive right round city i.e. round walls, up to Vatican etc.



We got out at the Coliseum and had lunch overlooking the Amphitheatre. What thin cats there are and 2 English women are in Roma raising money to feed them! They must be mad. The Coliseum can be entered free if in possession of YHA “pass” (saving 150 lire each). Built in AD80, parts are still in good condition. We saw the Arco di Constantino erected to commemorate Constantine’s victory over his rival Mascentius in AD312. A longish walk with a visit on the way to Basilica di Massenzio, now a church but was the courts and exchange to Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) overlooking the Roman Forum (closed unfortunately).



The steps and approaches were designed by Michelangelo and the beautiful bronze statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback overlooking the Via Vuttorio Emanuele. From there it was a short walk to the Pantheon at Piazza della Rotonda, the only complete building of ancient Rome left standing. Built by Agrippa in the time of Augustus Caesar (around 27BC) as a temple to Venus and Mars. From here to Piazza Colonna for a coffee, and with living feet to see the beautiful 18th century Fontana di Treri, showing Neptune in a chariot drawn by two tritons – we did not throw the 2 coins over our shoulder.



 From the fountain a walk to the Termini and # 35 back to collect car. Bill in fact came to 3133 lire so quite pleased. Back to tent via shop for some 3/6 Chianti, exhausted!

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