House

Well, we changed estate agents. We have been with the new ones just a week and have already had a viewing! How cool is that?

Seemed very positive, but of course no-one is going to look round your house and then say "no thanks, it's horrid". Waiting to see what happens. Cross fingers!

Europe

So, before we emigrate, we thought we would do some trips that we had never done before. Our daughter found a four day break in Rome for us around the time of our 42nd anniversary. Perfect! The first day was lovely, we just wandered around and were very touristy. Surprised at the amount of graffiti in the city though. Very expensive evening meal in Palazzo Nuevo, but it's such a tourist trap.

Day two we went to St. Peter's. We even climbed to the top of the cupola - a lift and THEN 320 steps up (and of course the same back down). Had lunch near the Spanish Steps which we really didn't feel like climbing the

n I have to say!!

Decided to go to the Colosseum. Lots of tourists, but we couldn't find a way in or anything. Strange. Then we spotted some policemen - some in vans and there was a police helicopter overhead. We had no idea what they were there for but tourist were chatting to them and no attempt was made to tell us to go. Then we realised that a march was taking

place. We were on a side path above the main road and it was lovely to see people marching to ba

nds, dancing, stilt walking - all very friendly. Still not sure what the march was

as we don't speak Italian, but it turned out that it was one of the global protests against financial institutions.

Felt really supportive of the march......until..... we saw some of the marchers had black motorcycle helmets and facemasks. We decided we should go and get a taxi back to t

he hotel.

Then some of the masked protestors came to where we were and started throwing smoke bombs and crackers and we found

we were unable to get out as the road was barred with metal barricades. Never mind, there was a path leading up on the opposite side. We crossed the road (through the protestors) and made our way up the path with loads of other tourists. Thought about going into a building but they all had shutters down. We went to the end where there was a police barricade and asked if we could go through to get to our hotel. They said no! Couldn't believe it! We were sent back down to walk up against the path of the rioters. By this time, it was getting scary with cars being set alight and windows being smashed. Went down another side street (which was also blocked with police vans) and again were refused access. We tried to find another way but is was too scary so we stayed near the police for safety. We waited for a long time together with families, nuns, elderly couples and locals but the police were adamant we could not go through. Beside the police vans was a perfume shop with the shutter up. I went in and asked if there was a way through but there wasn't.

Then...... the rioters spotted us all and came for us!! They started throwing bombs and bottles. Someone dragged me into the perfume shop with lots of others and the owner pulled the shutter down. It was so frightening. We waited, some crying while the bombs and bottles and shouts continued. Suddenly, the shutter was opened and the police threw (literally) us through a small gap and to safety. What a relief.

Needless to say we were delighted to be safe, but now there was another problem. The Metro was closed, there were no buses, there were no taxis and the roads were closed. Our hotel was over three miles away and there was no way I could have walked that far. At the third try we found a hotel with a room and managed to get booked in. We were very lucky because I didn't even have my handbag that day, just my camera and so no identification. After completing forms at the check-in desk we were given a room. It was clearly the last room and the one that you really wouldn't want to advertise but at least we were safe! Stayed the night and then in the morning finally got back to our hotel.

After a wash and brush up we went back to the city centre and actually visited the Colosseum this time as well as the Pantheon. Saw crowds gathering again so left the centre of Rome early. Found a delightful restaurant near the hotel and had a lovely final evening in Rome.

Glad I went? Well, yes. Would I return? Well probably not. We found the city to be grubby and uncared for and the Romans not over friendly (not talking about the protest here!) and as we saw all the things we had come to see I can think of many other cities I would rather visit in Europe!

We also missed out on our 42nd wedding anniversary meal as it was booked for the night of the riot but we couldn't get there. :-(