Rome - day 1

Wow. Okay, this is being updated in June but we actually visited Rome in March. If not Feb. I can't remember so much has happened since then.

If you're a regular blog follower, you know I tend to write essays when we visit other countries - there's so much to explain. But I'll try and keep this one short(er).

This trip was a bit longer than our usual weekend trips. We only left Rome on the Monday eve, so we had a whole extra day in the city to see whatever. Means we didn't need to rush so much.



First stop - the colliseum. Of course. Well we only went in later - but we were passing so... photo time! Other photo is Constantine's arch.

This was up in the Palantine, the old city, looking out over the colliseum.



Up in the Palantino looking out over the old forum, etc

Alan in the Roman forum. I'm so cool.

In the Roman forum.

Grabbing a bit of sustinance after a lot of walking.

Then we hit the colliseum proper. Inside.

And outside.

At Piazza Campidoglio. And the tomb of the unknown soldier.

What trip to Rome would be complete without a trip to the Trevi fountain? We threw a few coins in - rands of course - we don't part with our euros easily.

It started getting a bit late so we had a bit of tea at the fountain
and then headed to the Spanish steps.

Some geezer gave us some roses. Okay then, home much does it cost buddy? Mutter mutter. The Trinita dei Monti is in the background.



The trip to the Spanish steps was worth it for this view out at St Peter's alone. To think we nearly didn't climb the steps to look out. This was sunset on our first night.

With the sun set, we headed back to the Colliseo with our tripod for a few 'quieter' photies.
These will make it into the Valkenburg photo frames, oh yes.

Belmullet baby!

You haven't lived until you've been to Belmullet they say. Who says? Well, Belmullet people mainly. But it is quite nice there. Cath and I made the trip up to see my fam one last time before we headeded back home.

Belmullet is up north, quite far from Cork, but the scenery is stunning, like only the west of Ireland can be.

Along the way we needed a rest spot for a few samies and a driver change. Came across this random beautiful spot. That's what I love about going off the beaten track, coming across places that you wouldn't normally see.



Belmullet is in the Gaeltacht. Bless me? No I didn't sneeze - the gaeltacht is basically an area of ireland where Gaelic (or Irish as they say) is still spoken and used as the main language (suposedly). So it can make knowing where to go next a bit tricky when you're driving...

After about a six hour drive, we slept well that night - mmm - comfy bed.

Behind the house where my fam lives, is the bay. We got up early
the next morning and went for a bit of a walk.





Meet the fam...
This is Sean, Maura and Buddy.



Sean took us for a drive around. Stunning. Was so cool having our own tour guide, telling us about things that happened during the war, what the locals think of the pipelines being built, etc.

Sean and Cath at a stone circle and right, pointing out America to me. Okay not really, but I can't remember now what we were talking about then.

It was short and sweet and after the roast that Maura made for us, we didn't ever want to leave. But we had to, and we began the long drive home, passing a snow-capped peak as we did. It wasn't Croagh Patrick, I know that much.

And we had to fill up of course. In Ireland they don't have slaves to do it for them dontchaknow?! So you actually have to get out of the car yourself. Honestly! So third-world.

A bit chilly!

Cath sleeptalking

I've taken to reading in bed for about an hour before hitting the sack, which often means that Cath is fast asleep by the time I turn in.
This incident amused me so I thought I'd share...

After reading, I got up for a midnight pee. Cath was fast asleep but when I came back to bed she opened her eyes and said something like "My boyfriend's personal effects..."

I said: "What?" and she said (quote) "No, the spreadsheet is about personal effects and da da da da dah." I said "Oh" and she closed her eyes and rolled over.

It worries me that she has a boyfriend but it worries me more that she's now doing spreadsheets in her sleep. Sigh, an accountant, always an accountant.

Zuma note - joke email forward

New SA money note?

Well I'm normally pretty positive about South Africa's future but this email
made me laff so I've decided to include it.

I think this is a play on the 'is SA heading the way of
Zimbabwe' fear that so many like to forecast.

Zuma has a shower about his head because
showering saves you from HIV infection don'tyouknow?

Did I ever tell you about...

How's this for a coinky-dink...?

Cath and I had been struggling to find a young vibey Catholic church in Dublin but hadn't had any luck. we'd been to several but every time it was the same... not a teenager or young adult to be seen (okay there were one or two but you get the idea).

So I asked a priest (I think) and he told me I might want to try Rathmines Parish (a nearby suburb) - they had a folk Mass...

We went along, knelt down at a random spot, at a random pew and look what plaque was exactly in front of us...

For those of you who don't know, Cath's maiden name was Heany.

As it turned out, we got pretty involved with Rathmines parish and made some of our best friends there...

Coinky-dink huh? I guess it was just meant to be.

Having a no-hair day

And you thought YOU were having a bad hair day....?


Okay, so I've always wanted to take a razor to my head, and now I've finally done it....

Not much more to say about that really, I know it looks pretty scary at first, but trust me, you'll get used to it - not that I'm gonna keep it like this, I just wanted to try it before I got home to SA - God forbid I should try this there - I'd probably get sunstroke.

Anyway, so now I really do look like a convict.

As re how Cath felt about it, well she actually helped - with the hair clipper-thingy that is, then she had to get back to work and I struggled away with the shaving cream and the mirror by myself. Do not try this at home kids - get a friend to help.

As Forest Gump once said: That's all I have to say about that.

The bump

The development of a bump...

Weeeeeeeeeeeell, Dear ol Courtney made it very clear that y'all are not interested in photos of my boxes in the livingroom,as interesting as they may be (and they're very interesting if you ask me!) - You cut me deep Courts, you cut me reaaaal deep - I have decided to give in to public opinion and show you our baby.

For those of you who often drool at the sight of Cath fully clothed - Chris, Stevie - be aware that this blog post will contain partial nudity - and may just send you over the edge.

This was Cath at the start of December (2 months-ish)... I'm sure she'll kill me for putting photos up but hey, she needs me - I'm the breadwinner and father of her child. Please note the 'do you REALLY have to do this, I need to run off and get sick' face for the photo.

Then came January (3 months-ish), and the bump was still not really noticeable...

Well, Cath's bump anyway...
My mega-babe - she's so skinny. Other girls were putting on the pies in a big way at this stage, but not my pookums. Me, well we figure I look about 6-7 months.

(Was that "MY EYES, MY EYES" I heard you yell?)


And then Feb (4 months-ish) - and the bump hadst appeared....

EXTREME CLOSE-UP!!!!

So I hope you're happy now Courtney... and Chris and Stevie.