Second trip of the month to see Mab in Italy. This time I have companions: Voltane is travelling out with me and Swan is joining us tomorrow. Like Venice I got to bed late, but this time the flight is a relatively civilised 8.40 departure. So I have 4 hours sleep rather than the 2 I had before Venice. Generally it seems best to be dozey at the airport, so as to not get annoyed with stuff (or even notice stuff). However being half-awake can be embarassing. I was only thinking how strange that having got though security the people in front seemed to have forgotten their laptop when some girl started tugging at the bag on my shoulder suggesting that it was hers. It seems that was what Voltane had just told me... but when you're half asleep one bag looks much like another (to be fair both were black and heavy).

After my discussions about EasyJet earlier in the month, I was surprised how different Ryanair approached boarding passengers. There seemed to be priority for people who had bought priority boarding (which I don't think is restricted) and then a free for all. None of this namby-pamby crypto-socialism employed by Easyjet where people with young childern or disabilities are allowed on first (obviously not before those who have paid extra). Luckily no-one was trampled in the rush on our flight (if someone is trampled you have to wait while their luggage is removed, so its not a good thing, even if there may be some spare seats).

Interestingly on Ryanair you can't put your bag under the seat if you're in the back row, although you can on Easyjet. They said this is for safety reasons. Quite worrying really as the back row seems no different to any other in this respect, so the whole of the rest of the plane must be unsafe (or maybe not). We left about an hour late due to low pressure in the fuel system at Stanstead, which meant we missed our take-off slot. By this time I was beginning to wake-up. Voltane, like about 50% of his fellow travellers is reading Harry Potter, presumably most of the other 50% have finished it. I'm listening to my mp3 player with the usual little songs on it plus 'Give 'Em Enough Rope' which I have loaded specially for the trip. Uneventful trip although the slightly catty remarks from the stewards behind me are quite amusing when the pilot makes a rather heavy landing.

Rome is hot - it says on the TV that its 34C today. The Coach to Termini seems to have dodgy air-conditioning and I'm already damp to the touch by we reach the centre of Rome. Using my vague directions to the hotel is not totally successful; fortunately we've got the right tram stop so a glance at the map soon sorts out the error. By now I am dripping with sweat and my t-shirt soaked like a little fish gig.

The hotel is chosen for it's proximity to tomorrow's venue so may be a little further out from the centre than many of you would choose, but it really is only a couple of minutes from the tramstop, and the tramstop only 3 stops from the metro and Piazza del Popolo. The room doesn't have much of a view but it does have air-conditioning and a free (non-alcoholic) mini-bar which is nice.

Having changed into shorts and cool stuff we rush off into the afternoon heat. Rushing was a bit of a mistake and crawling is the better option. We end up at the Spanish steps - here's a pic of me in shorts and special t-shirt (taken by Voltane, art-direction and styling by me).

We have an icecream but by we get back to the hotel I am starving and Voltane is not feeling well. Whilst he rests I try to get to grips with the transport system in the guidebook. Wake up after about 20 mins. We decide to dine fashionably late (as it is too late to be unfashionable). After wandering around for a while we settle on a pizza place where we can sit outside. Nothing special but nice enough and house wine very drinkable. Asleep before 11pm, oh no what will people think, can this be rock and roll.