Kiss and run in Rome

My ex was waiting for us when we pulled into Rome Termini Station yesterday morning.

It was time for me to say goodbye to the kids for three weeks.

We hugged and kissed and I wished them a good holiday. Then they were gone, without a backward glance.

You know you’ve created a secure environment for your children post separation when they tell you they love you and walk away so happily.

It’s such a great thing, despite being a little tough for the parent left behind.

I wandered to the local supermarket to pick up a few supplies, such as conditioner – my hair is turning into straw from the hotel shampooing – opened my bag to pay and realised I still had the kids’ passports.

Eeeeeek.

I’d warned my ex earlier in the week that we mustn’t forget to swap them over, but we both forgot.

I rushed after him, but it was too late, they were gone.

So I trundled through the streets to my hotel lobby, logged onto the wi-fi and gave my ex the bad news.

Cue swearing.

We’re still working on a plan to sort that little mess out since SSF and I would prefer to never, ever, ever cross paths.

Actually I don’t know how she feels about it, but I expect it would be rather gut-wrenchingly awkward to encounter each other.

Speaking of which, I knew they were off to the Coloseum en famille yesterday, so the area was technically verboten, but I couldn’t help myself.

I’d been spoilt by Pompeii and the random bits and bobs of the Roman Forum just weren’t doing it for me.

So I parked myself on a ledge near the magnificent Coloseum and just drank in its magnificence for about 30 minutes.

It’s the most wonderful man-made structure I’ve ever seen. Geez those ancient Romans were clever buggers.

Then I moved to a higher vantage point and got myself a lemon gelato to lick while I admired the view some more.

The only thing I could do without are the gazillion hawkers constantly harassing you to buy selfie sticks.

Fortunately there was no sign of SSF making cute with my ex and kids. Phew.

A hot, sore-footed trudge back to the hotel followed, where I parked myself in the lobby again, waiting for check-in.

My room turns out to be ah-mazing. Sooooooo fancy! I was too nervous at the front desk to look at the bill properly and now I can’t find it in my bag, but I’m a little bit scared I’ll need to hit someone up for a loan when I get back.

The room is all velvet, gilt mirrors, chandeliers and white marble bathroom. I feel like a princess!

I’m not sure what the next few days will hold or how much wi-fi I’ll have once I leave Rome, so don’t panic if I fall off the radar for a while.

On the other hand, there’s every chance I’ll find a way to tap-tap-tap about my adventures … you know me!

Catch ya!

Here are a couple of snaps from yesterday: