I got picked up from the airport in a very large van limo and it even had an electric door and very plush seats. It took around an hour or so to get to the hotel, good choice to get picked up.

The guy on the desk was very friendly and I was soon checked into my room. As it turned out it was a bit noisy so I swapped it for a smaller quieter room today.

Breakfast was great and watching the sun come up whilst looking at the Haigh Sophie is an experience indeed. On the balcony there were many big seagulls, I’d forgotten just how big these buggers are.

It’s cold, only 4C, I’m really glad I got me new coat which seemed to gain quite a bit of attention when I was oot and aboot. After a late start to the day I made my way to the Cistern Basilica which was built nearly 1500 years ago by Justinian. It’s a massive underground space and it’s so majestic.

It’s held up with 32, 9 metre columns in a space which is 138 metres x 65 metres. It’s a beautiful, stunning work of art where engineering and design have come together to create a functional piece of art. Oh and it took 38 years to complete.

The weather and my foot are making things a bit uncomfortable and so I will be staying close to home but most of the things I want to see are within a kilometre radius.

Such an excellent, stunning, dare I say unique creation and yet so many folk….. mostly young girls, stand posing and go though various poses and then move to the next vantage point and not one of them seemed to take in what was in front of their eyes. It’s such a sad indictment of the times we live in. The virtual is more important than reality……….