Barcelona Monday 29th June 1998 Day 55
	Rome was very interesting. I'd like to spend a bit more time there if only I could get used to the driving (it really is true !!) of both cars and scooters. I had to ask Rupert to drive as the other drivers were winding me up too much. We did a very good guided walk focussing on the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon aqnd the amazing Trevi fountain. This is the place where you throw coins in relating to what you want to happen i.e. 1 coin ensures a safe return to Rome, 2 means you'd return and fall in love and 3 means you'll return, fall in love and marry. The guide failed to say how many I'd have to put in to see Fulham in the Premiership in the next 5 years with Mrs. Demi Lowit by my side but we'll presume that it would have taken up our budget for the whole year !! Later that afternoon we went to the Spanish steps, a cemetery where the graves are decorated with real bones (!!!) and a look at the inside of the Colosseum. That evening was rounded off in cruel fashion with England losing to a goal scored by a Chelsea player and the Italian hostel owner laughing at my sorrow. Apart from that blemish this hostel in Rome was probably the friendliest so far and we met more people than usual (all over 14 !!). The following day was taken up with a tour of the Vatican museums including a fairly, but not exceptionally, impressive Sistine chapel ceiling. After leaving Rome we decided to stop in Siena for a couple of hours and then drive through the night to our next port of call - Milan. On the way to Siena we passed through a small eerily quiet town where we stopped for some groceries. Whilst eating our bread, salami, cheese etc. we heard a roar come from all around followed about 10 minutes later by the sound of klaxons and cheering. People were on the street waving flags, shouting and generally making a hell of a noise from their cars/scooters. The reason: Italy had just defeated Austria 2-1 and qualifies for the next round of the World Cup - amazing !! Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, was very pretty especially the main piazza which was full of youg people even at 11pm on a Tuesday night. Our stay in Siena was extended by 30 minutes due to my playing with the Citroen security code disabling the car for half an hour. Obviously not Lowit-proof !! Luckily Rupert saw the funny side and we got to Milan early the next morning. Milan was spent doing the following: Shopping, washing clothers, getting bitten by mosquitos (about 30 of them, pictures to follow) on one of the worst campsites we've come across, eating our last McDonalds for a long time (even I'm sick of them now so it must be serious !!) A few facts about Italy: I love everything apart from the drivers, Rupert can't stand the heat. The Italians in the street, if I can make generalisations, are either shouting at each other and gesticulating furiously or hugging and kissing regardless of gender !! Onto Zermatt in Switzerland where I think I was aged about 5 !! This will be remebered for the 8 hour hike (without a break !!) that we did around the Matterhorn. It was 3 days ago and my legs still ache. Onto Barcelona making a stop at a campsite in Montpelier (the closest I've got to the World Cup !!) which is where I am now. First impressions are good but details to follow. This trip has been remarkable due to the fact that I am already on my 3rd book (that's more than a year's allowance for me) and that's excluding my usual diet of 4-4-2, Empire, WSC and Viz !!). The books both of which were excellent have been the Anne Frank diaries and Time for Bed by David Baddiel. Diverse but both entertaining. Stay well - see you all soon John P.S. Superb performance against Colombia, bring on Argentina !!
	July 15th, 1998, Teddington