Bike: 67 kms, walk: 18 kms, sail: 0 n.m.

Since arriving in Fiumicino/ Tiber River, we have been in clean up mode and readying the boat for summer storage. We took our dinghy for a spin up the river which has marinas and boats of all sizes and types along both banks. We also scouted out how to get to Rome by transit which led us on a not so merry ride going in circles and backtracking with no success! We did see a lot of Fiumicino and the beach area though! In the end, we decided to take the wild and thorny route but on bikes Sunday morning so there was little traffic and no thorns. Whew! There aren't words to describe how busy and crowded Rome is. We stepped off the train at the Coliseum and could see the line extending completely around the Coliseum and down the road to Circo Massimo, so that ended any thought and desire to wait to enter! We walked and viewed the different ruins from outside the gates, wandered through gardens and crept into a church hosting a small wedding. The area around Trevi fountain was 15 people deep so I had to forgo throwing my coin for fear of taking out an eye! I'm thankful I saw Rome as a teenager. If it's ruins you want to see, I'd recommend Pompei over Rome although the Coliseum is spectacular in its magnitude.
We enjoyed the stories of our neighbour, Walter from Austria, who has sailed all his life, including a 5 year sailing trip around the world. I have boat envy: he has a dishwasher, washer & dryer and a watermaker plus another 17 feet in length!
He agrees with our analysis of Italian boaters: typically macho with speed and power a priority, inattentive bordering on negligent, and unaware of anchoring space! Otherwise, friendly and helpful with a laid back attitude to work schedules on land!
One day left then we fly early to Paris where we overnight and fly home Thursday. I'll miss the calm river habitat with its bird song, the fragrant scents of jasmine and honeysuckle bushes, and the beauty of the palm and lemon trees, the bougainvillea and the sun on the water. But I'm ready to come home and join in the fun with friends🥰 and family❤, particularly 2 energetic, imaginative and inquisitive children! 😍😘Read more