Quite by chance Scott and Jeanette are in Rome for the Danish long weekend, and they booked some time ago. How lucky are we? Rome is a wonderful city, and it is extra special enjoying it with Scott and Jeanette. It is very disappointing Ross can´t come in until this evening because the boat isn´t going back into the water until later. I meet them at the foot of the Spanish steps. Scott has organized a horse drawn cart for an hour which is a lovely way to explore through the narrow, winding, cobble streets, and pass by some of the famous sites here e.g. The Trevi fountain, Belini´s statues , the courts and Musselini´s statue. We arrive at a restaurant in the Jewish quarter for an outdoor lunch with sensational cuisine.
This afternoon Jeanette and I have a special time in Romo Centro looking for fabric for her wedding dress. She has details of shops and warehouses to look in. Jeanette has chosen the design so knows what she is looking for, but it´s not easy. One of the warehouses has so many rows of wonderful fabrics it is overwhelming, but the staff are most helpful, and she has success in one of these shops. This is very exciting as she knows this fabric is not available in Copenhagen.
Searching for fabrics
Sitting with Jeanette on the rooftop of their hotel at their hotel near the Spanish steps is a lovely, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. We are resting and waiting while Scott is meeting Ross at the station.
Searching for fabricsWe decide to venture out to the Tretavere area to find dinner a one of the many restaurants there. This area is buzzing on Saturday night and all the restaurants appear full. We settle on a family run place which is fun and with typical, local cuisine.
After dinner we walk back towards Rome via the small island. It is such a beautiful area here by the river, especially with all the night lights on.
Ross and I have a very long taxi drive back to the marina. The driver came up the coast road which was a big mistake because every town on the way was in full swing and the traffic was terrible.
We are able to sleep on the boat tonight. We have checked out of the hotel where we felt so welcome.
Sunday 24th.May
Scott and Jeanette are hoping to have a sail with us this morning but unfortunately the boat isn´t available.( It is Scott´s birthday on Tuesday so it has been lovely to be here to celebrate with him (usually we are on the other side of the world). It probably works out for the best as they have a lovely relaxed day in Rome. It is 36 here so they didn´t need to be spending an hour each way on public transport to come to the marina and back. They plan to join us later in the summer so we are looking forward to that.
Ross and I spend the day organizing the boat. We want to leave tomorrow afternoon to sail to Sardinia in time to meet Prue and Bob as planned on Tuesday.
The Albertini family join us on Impulsive for a drink and then they take us out for a wonderful seafood dinner nearby. We are thrilled they plan to join us later in the season to sail.
Albertini´s visit to Impulsive
Dinner with the Albertinis
Dinner with the AlbertinisMonday, 25th. May 2009
It finally looks as if we will leave today. A B. and G. part had to come from Holland and it looked as if there was a problem when it had not arrived this morning. It was for the depth sounder and it would have been dangerous to leave without it. Luckily a call came at 11am to say had arrived and it has now been fitted. Now all that remain is the gunnel repair (to damage caused by a willy - willy pulling off a cleat. After the usual 3 or 4 chase up calls that job is now underway. In fact we leave 15 minutes after its completion, take on fuel and set off for an overnight sail to Corsica.
This has been a stressful and exhausting time for Ross.
It finally looks as if we will leave today. A B. and G. part had to come from Holland and it looked as if there was a problem when it had not arrived this morning. It was for the depth sounder and it would have been dangerous to leave without it. Luckily a call came at 11am to say had arrived and it has now been fitted. Now all that remain is the gunnel repair (to damage caused by a willy - willy pulling off a cleat. After the usual 3 or 4 chase up calls that job is now underway. In fact we leave 15 minutes after its completion, take on fuel and set off for an overnight sail to Corsica.
This has been a stressful and exhausting time for Ross.
