Rome - Day 3

by Jeremy

First we got on the metro to go to St Peter's Basilica. We got off the train a little bit away from the  Basilica, so we had to walk about ten minutes to get there.

Eventually we arrived at Vatican City and saw a magnificent view of St Peter's Square and the Basilica.  One of the most amazing features of the Basilica is the dome, which rises up 138m above St Peter's Square.

There was quite a long queue to get into the Basilica, but it moved quickly and it only took us about 25 minutes to get in.

As soon as we got in we sped up some stairs to the first part of the Basilica dome.  It was inside and gave you an extraordinary view of the inside architecture of the Basilica.  We were so high up that the people down below looked as small as little ants.

Did you know that the Basilica is a late Renaissance church that was started in 1506 and opened in 1626.  It is one of the most famous examples of Renaissance architecture and remains one of the largest churches in the world!

Continuing up, the stairs got smaller and smaller and were also leaning to one side.  This is because we were inside the very top of the dome.

Here is a magnificent, outstanding and incredible of St Peter's square which was taken from the very top of the dome.

Unfortunately when we were at the top of the dome Daniel ran down the stairs without telling anyone.  He thought he was in big trouble but he wasn't.  Irregardless, he threw a massive tanty over absolutely nothing.  He is in the middle of his tanty in the photo below.

Here is a picture of us resting after visiting the Basilica.  Later that day we went to the Vatican Museum and saw the Sistine Chapel which had paintings of naked people all over the roof and walls.  The chapel was starting in 1473 and painted by Michelangelo and many other famous Renaissance artists.

Rome - Day 2

by Daniel

Today we went to the Colosseum.  We only had to wait a short time because we were quite early.

When we got in we went around the outside on ground level ....

.....and then we went up the stairs to the second floor where we got a brilliant view of the entire stadium.

The Colosseum was first started in 70 AD and opened in 80 AD.  It is estimated that it could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.

It is oval in shape and was used for gladiator fights and public spectacles such as mock sea battles,  hunting and executions.

We also visited the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where you can find the ruins of ancient Rome.

The views of Rome from Palatine hill were magnificent...

After wandering around we went to have lunch.  We had Margarita and Capricciosa pizzas and a yummy salad.  It was a very expensive meal because the drinks were 5 euro each!  After lunch we went into a nearby supermarket where we saw the same drinks for 73 cents!

Rome - Day 1

by Emily Price

One glorious day I woke up feeling very excited about the Rome trip on the Hop On Hop Off bus.  It is called a hop on hop off bus because you can hop on and hop off at many different stops.

Cool orange vespa

When we were on the bus I saw the biggest stadium in my life, I couldn’t believe it was true!  It is called the Colosseum and it was used for fighting.  The audience sat all around the outside of the stadium, even people at the back could see. 

Next we hopped off the bus and we walked to the Trevi Fountain.  On the way we went past a gorgeous little restaurant and where you sit under the umbrellas they were spraying water with fans because it was so hot.  

Finally we got to the fountain, it was worth it, but I was starting to feel really tired.  

Luckily we  found a beautiful restaurant that used to be an old church.  For lunch I had a whole plate of salty besketti – I could only eat half of it.  I had some Sprite lemonade to drink. 

Whilst I was eating lunch I spotted the boys creeping over to a balcony.  I had no idea what they were looking at so I went over.  They were looking down at the chef making delicious pizza.  

After lunch we had a big walk around Rome.  I was feeling tired but my feet kept on carrying me along and along.  We all had a gelato.  I had vanilla chocolate chip, Daniel had lemon, Jeremy had very rich chocolate, Daddy had choc mint and Mummy had yoghurt.  They were all very yummy but mine was the best. 

Fifteen minutes later we saw some floating men. I don’t know why but they were covered in orange. I think I know what the trick is – one person is holding a stick up his shoulder.

Wow - I loved my day in Rome and I wish it didn't have to end.

Europe

Well - not all of Europe - 4 countries will do very nicely - Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Austria.  Here's the plan......

A -  Rome                   B -  Tivoli                 C -  Orvieto                D -  Monteriggioni            E  -  Lucca                 F  -  La Spezia     G - Pavia                    H - Wassen              I  -  Altstaetten           J  -  Fussen                        K  -  Munich              L -  Mondsee   
M -  Kirchberg           N -  Verona             O -  Venice

Flying into Rome and out of Venice, most of our time will be spent in Italy.  All up we'll be covering about 3000km, which spread over 35 days will be just perfect.  I'm going to be driving from Orvieto (letter C) onwards L but at least it gives us total flexibility J.

Off we pop....

Goodbye Billericay

I think we’ve all fallen in love with Billericay.  It’s hard not to when you have

Cute little squirrels

Long golden twilights 

The beautiful Mill Meadow 

Gorgeous hanging baskets

Green fields just outside your front door

Acres of woods to explore 

Cold frosty mornings

and snow that transforms the scenery and makes everything so quiet and peaceful

This last year has been brilliant and I know we will all miss Billericay.

London Eye and the Crown Jewels

Okey Dokey - time to start squeezing in some last minute must do's, starting off with a visit to the Tower of London

The lion sculptures are made from layer upon layer of chicken wire.

to see these beauties.

Then we wandered around the Burrough Markets (mmm mmm) and along the South Bank

Until we got to the London Eye

Where we got spectacular views of my two favourite London icons - Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Wimpole Hall and Audley End House

A few weekends ago we went sightseeing and ended up here......

Wimpole Hall - Built in 1640 Wimpole Hall is sited on 3000 acres and encompasses a working farm, gardens and country estate.  Prior to becoming the property of the national trust, Wimpole Hall was home the grand daughter of Rudyard Kipling, author of the classic Jungle Book.

We saw loads of animals - the little Shire foal was only a week old.  His back legs were wonky and the poor little fella wibbled and wobbled all over the place before plonking on the grass exhausted.  And that cute little piggy was fast asleep in the middle of the wiffiest most gag-inducing piggery ever!

There was a big house to explore and a dairy where little children could dress up.....

And there was sheep sheering, wood cutting and nice little places with "Please do sit here" signs.

But not content with one grand house in a day, we popped over to here ......

Audley End House is an early 17th-century country house just outside Saffron Walden in Essex.  It was once a palace in all but name and renowned as one of the finest Jacobean houses in England. Audley End is now only one-third of its original size and though currently in the stewardship of English Heritage remains the family seat of the Lords Braybrooke.

It was a great day out, the weather perfect and tsk, tsk, we all got sunburnt!