I slept like a log again. No wonder after all those steps yesterday!

Some people have said they could never go and stay with someone they don’t know, let alone share a bed but honestly, it’s not a problem at all. I am so fast asleep I don’t even know there is anyone else there 😆😘 (ok reading that back that could be a bad thing 😆)

It’s another beautiful morning, cold in the shade but hot in the sun. Craig always laughs when I say that… like yeah, obviously!!

I have been so many places today, with Melanie, that I honestly won’t remember them all so I hope she sends me a list before I put this out. (she did!)

I had been so lovely of her to invite me, to allow me to stay and to show me around her stunning city… pointing me in the right direction, when she was not with me.

Today she was.

First we took the bus and walked to Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura!

It has the most beautiful cloisters. it’s quiet as there are hardly any tourists.

I cannot tell you vast and jaw dropping St Paul’s Basillca is. The main part completely empty and it was so quiet. It was very peaceful.

Very ornate and highly decorated.

We then walked to the metro and took it to Melanie’s work which is FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

How incredibly lucky am I to be security cleared to enter a UN building (after an airport style security check!) ?!

This is we are headed…. Of course for the view from the 8th floor.

The vista……… incredible on such a clear day.

I’ll be loading videos up when I get a chance.

Palatine Hill… not… Palpatine 😆

The white building is the back of the one I visited in Piazza Navona yesterday.

The Colleseum.

St Peter’s Basicalla, Vatican City.

Think the Colosseum is in this one.

With Melanie and Claudia. Claudia was at Thanksgiving on Saturday and looked after my suitcase, in FAO, while we went out exploring.

Thermal baths of Caracalla or Terme di Caracalla.

I found the UK flag inside the UN building.

We set off past Circus Maximus.

To the Bocco della Verita – the Mouth of Truth – which is an ancient Roman marvel mask. Legend has it, it used to eat the arm of those who told lies. I am pleased to report I escaped unscathed. 😆

Then we went inside Adrian’s Crypt. This was very old and rustic looking. The floor is beautiful.

We walked into the Ghetto Ebraico the Jewish Ghetto which is beautiful area of Rome.

So much of the area seems to be build around ruins.

This is the Teatro Marcella. Very like the Colosseum.

Everywhere you walk there seems to be a building more stunning than the one you have just seen.

This is just someone’s courtyard.

We went to Sora Margarita for lunch.

Here I am modelling the Jewish delicacy fried artichoke.

Main course was Fettucine with Ricotta and Parmigiana. It’s was amazing.

These gold plaques are frequently found on the pavements in Italy. They signify the Jewish residents of that home that were rounded up and transported to Auschwitz or other death camps. Very sobering.

This is the Portica d’Ottavia.

This little square was where all the Jews were gathered before they were taken away from the Ghetto. Such a sad place to imagine the terror on 16th October 1943.

We then walked up the hill to the Campidoglio – the Town Hall.

And round the corner to this amazing view of the Roman Forum. I visited this in April. Who knew you could see it for free!!

I’m so tired I’ve lost track of where this might have been but I think it’s taken from the Terrazza Caffarelli. It was an unassuming set of stairs, in a building that lead to a cafe and this stunning view.

Photobombed at the perfect time!

This is a modern statue. It is massive!!! Statua colossale di Costantino. I am in there 😆😆

Then off to Aventine hill: Giardino degli Aranci – the next stunning view of the day.

Melanie has taken her winter coat off! It must be warm. I told her I don’t even have a coat that heavy for Scotland 😆😘

Next was The Keyhole outside of the Order of Malta.

Credit to What a Life Tours. This was a beautiful view through the keyhole but I couldn’t get a photo to work at all.

Here I am looking!!

And finally another view point garden and my last view of St Peter’s Basillica in the distance. As it has been for so many of today’s photos.

Back to FAO so Melanie could pick up my case.

My last warm sun for a while…. Waiting on Melanie.

We said our goodbyes….. 😢

I took the metro to Rome Termini which is a MASSIVE transport hub. Metro, trains, trams and buses. The sheer scale of it is immense. I was an hour early for the airport bus but the time passed quickly.

I am SHATTERED. I’m sitting in Ciampino Airport about 45 minutes from Rome and my flight is in 2.5 hours. I am landing in Edinburgh!!! (For those who don’t know, I have to get a bus to the car park, potentially scrape ice from the car as I believe it’s turning that cold, THEN drive for an hour and half back home). I should be home by 2am.

I am working at 8 😱

Thankfully I have a very understanding boss… I told him that I would be in as soon as I can! 🫣😬😆

I have had THE best weekend.

I have truly lived my best life.

I have done things I never imagined I would be able to do on my own… and calmly.

There have been slight nerves at the thought of the flight out and this morning at the thought of the flight home…. But that is all.

I have celebrated my first ever Thanksgiving.

I have been inside a United Nations building.

I have seen jaw dropping beauty every step of the way.

I have met some amazing women.

I am so grateful to Melanie for giving me the opportunity.

I have 3 days at work before Craig and I head off to Iceland! 🇮🇸

Stay safe everyone 🇮🇹✈️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿