After reading on-line about the parking scams, the city making a mint from fines and the scammers breaking into cars we clearly weren’t going to sleep so Robert chose to sleep in the car to protect it! So about 23:00 Robert decamped to the car and settled in for the night while Fran discovered the joys of having a late night street party outside your hotel window. Neither of us slept much though Robert did better!

In the morning, we decided to leave around 5:30 as Fran was awake and Robert was ready – only to find that the car wouldn’t start and insisted on sounding the alarm each time he tried – then claiming that there was no key. Eventually Robert ran back to the hotel to find Fran waiting outside – fortunately on their return to the car Fran’s key got things going.

As we still had 78% we skipped the first planned charge and headed off towards Rome. More toll roads though we have to say they are in much better condition than the other ‘main’ roads and have better facilities. First stop was for breakfast and a quick charge though the charger decided at 82% that its done enough and terminated the session.

Another long haul, 215 miles in total today had we gone straight to the hotel. Stopped again and put the car back to 94% then decided, as were so early, to lunch in Lido di Ostia overlooking the sea before moving on to the hotel in Rome. Big mistake. The area was jammed with cars, no parking and difficult to move around! Eventually scrapped into a place and walked to the sea – but it was almost all just paid beaches with naff ‘restaurants’ doing anything fried. Found a lovely little place over the road and had a quick meanl then bought some gin to take to the hotel!

Had a plan to drive along the coast a bit but the traffic was awful so we headed to the hotel – still with 71%. It is  a little out (4 metro stops from Vatican) but has grounds and PARKING! Room is ok though no kettle, glasses or hooks in the bathroom. Unpacked everything as we’re here for a couple of days.

Got a couple of 72 hour Metro passes and headed to Piazza del Popolo for a walk up to the viewing platform and a spot of dinner at a street cafe.

Got the news that Tsarine hasn’t been seen for a couple of days which is upsetting, though she does do this from time to time – upsetting though.

Back to the hotel for a couple of drinks outside before bed.