Archive for April, 2011

Yes or No – AV and Royals

Friday, April 29th, 2011

A referendum is looming and the pressure is on. Not least because before today I didn’t really even understand what AV was, who wanted it or why it would be good or bad. After three hours googling with K I have finally decided to vote yes in the referendum mainly because I can’t find any […]

Quattro museo and quattro churches in Rome

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

It turned out that our last day in Rome has been a feast of museums. We started with the closest – the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme Roma which has Roman mosaics, frescos, sculptures and coins. On the top floor (and boy do you notice climbing those stairs) there is a room dedicated to some wall […]

The last half an hour of the day in St Peter

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

I think I’ve walked about ten miles today. We went up to Villa Borghese which is a large park surrounded by art galleries. We wanted to go in to the Galleria Borghese but you have to book up about a week in advance. You don’t have to book for the Galleria Nazionale d’arte moderna e […]

Roman ruins

Friday, April 15th, 2011

The sky was somewhat overcast today and so under grey clouds we traipsed down to have a closer look at the Colosseum possibly one of the most famous sights in the world. Right next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum and the Palatine and so we wandered in and walked amongst the ruins. You […]

A walk to the Vatican

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

On the Piazza di Campo de Fiori there is a market. It’s quite a small market and not particularly cheap but it is actually quite nice with a spacious feel to it and not too crowded. Tim munched oranges and olives, Mum pears and I bought home a little bag of apples to eat in […]

Circus Maximus and Capitoline Hill

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

I walked around Rome – passed the Terme di Caracalla ruins and to site of Circus Maximus where you can get some lovely photos of the back of the Palatine. I then walked towards to Capitoline Hill passing a couple of lovely small churches. All the churches in Rome are free to go in but […]

First view of Rome

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Our flat is tucked away off the busy streets but it only takes a few minutes to walk down to the Colosseum. It’s quite extraordinary to see the ancient building blacked with exhaust fumes and surrounded by tourists – a memory of a time so long ago. At one of the gates a group of […]

Finally all the roads led to Rome

Monday, April 11th, 2011

I’m in Rome. Flew from Stansted this afternoon to Roma Ciampino airport. I’ve never flown to Rome before so was pleasantly surprised to feel like we were flying over lots of land which gives you a bit more of an interesting flight. It was pretty smooth and easy journey but it’s been so long since […]