Sunny Rome

It rained until 10.00 a.m and then it miraculously cleared up so we could cross the Tiber to do more exploring.

We started walking towards the Pantheon, the Roman "temple of all the gods" - the best preserved and ancient building in Rome.

On the way we saw this curious sight. This woman was walking her dog. They stopped momentarily outside a church. The woman wanted to move on but the dog had other ideas. He stopped and wouldn't budge.

The woman whistled and cajoled the dog but to no avail.

Up above the door were a flock of pigeons. The dog was obviously a hunting breed. We watched for five minutes. The dog was obviously in for the long hall and we had sites to see so we walked on.

And then we got to the Pantheon. The first temple on the site was constructed in 25 BC. The present structure was built in AD 118.

Inside the only light comes in from the stone circle in the centre of the huge dome. It is a huge and beautifully still building. And like most Italian buildings it has been converted into a church.

This dome is considered the Roman's most important architectural achievement. It is the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built.

In the square outside things were jumping. There are a lot of buskers in Rome around the main tourist sites. These guys were really good.

They had the crowd dancing.

Just off the square a restaurant/deli specialising in cured meats.

A handy water stop.

And then we were at Piazza Navona - a huge square with ornate fountains.

The grand centrepiece is Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.

And then on to the Marcus Aurelius column. It's a lot like Trajan's column but it has sadder and more violent scenes carved into the marble. Lots of Roman soldiers died fighting under Aurelius.

Upwards and onwards to the heroic Victor Emmanuel monument. This enormous marble monument dominates the skyline. It was built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy.

And last but not least, what would a trip to Rome be worth without a visit to the Trevi Fountain?

It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city.

Tourist heaven.

Another kind of tourist stop for Mr Cool here.

And then to top off all those ancient and wonderful sights, I had to buy the most beautiful pair of blue suede boots. I even met the man who made them. It was destined to be. And who needs to eat anyway?