70 yesterday, that's 21 in celsius!!!

The Brig's big day started off great, a hot cuppa while he opened his cards and presents, he spent a long time, well we did, looking through the photo album of the Kiwi grand kids - some really fun photos taken over the past 5.5 years.

Frank's sister and brother in law called from Sheffield, and they chatted for about an hour - another nice start to his day.

After breakfast we went to the Southport Library to attend a Genealogy Course we had booked on, it was exellent - plus it was pouring with rain, so a rather pleasant way to pass the morning - inside! He enjoyed more phone calls and cards in the afternoon.

Late afternoon we collected Auntie Beryl and headed for Gail and Steves. They had even made up some "Fairy Bread" for him, taking him back many decades.

Sue and Ash arrive with something in "gold" which he likes the look of.

Alex gives his Grandmother a big hug.

Gail and Steve asked the Brig to choose what he would like them to prepare for dinner.

He chose Gail's excellent dish of corned beef with all the trimmings -

it was so good on a winter evening.

Auntie made Frank his favourite cake - carrot and walnut.

And some things don't change - he took the lead in "his" celebration song - a really great evening!!!!

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The photo below was taken last Saturday evening, also at Gail and Steve's

Oldest grand daughter Petrina gives her grand mother a hug, before she heads off for her 5 plus month trip to India next week . The red dots are some of the areas Petrina plans to travel to, and she has a blog she will be updating as much as possible, so we will keep glued to that.

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Friday morning Ailsa and Rod are taking us out to breakfast at Broadbeach to celebrate Frank's birthday - which will be lovely, and then on Saturday we will start our massive diet - again.

This weekend in the British Isles

A special barbeque was held in Sheffield on Saturday, to celebrate our youngest nephew's partner's - 25th Birthday. Apparently it was a really hot day for Northern England, but Abi - below - was ready for her special day.

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The Kiwi grandkids and their Mum Sarah are presently staying with their other "Step Grandmother" in her Bed and Breakfast in Bangor, Northern Island.

Below is the B & B - Hebron House and it's welcoming front door Two little cousins enjoying the walled gardens at Bangor Castle

My genealogy research is showing I have more than a tad of irish in me on my Mum's side.

La Bella Roma

Well the power is back on, which means our rather "ornate" elevator was back in action - Frank loved it - you could only fit one person and a couple of bags in it - I personally did not have the same amount of enthusiasm for this piece of antiquity, I stuck to the old marble staircase up and down the 3 flights.

This morning we started off by walking to the Pantheon - this magnificent structure was built in AD 118 - 125 by Emporer Hadrian, who designed it to replace and earlier temple.

The immense portico is built on the foundation of Agrippa's Temple and enclosed by granite columns. The shrine lining the Pantheon's walls range from the Tomb of Raphael to those of the Kings of modern Italy. The marble floor restored in 1873 preserves the original Roman design. The walls of the drum supporting this dome are 6 metres (19ft) thick. The Dome was cast by pouring concrete mixed with tufa and pumice over a temporary wooden framework. Constructing the dome from hollow decorative coffers reduced its weight. Looking up to the "Oculus" - the Pantheon is really a magnificent structure.

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We hit the cobblestones again, and headed for Piazza Navona - the elongated oval of Rome's loveliest square hints that it is built atop Domitian's ancient stadium.

The Piazza was alive with "painting" vendors.

Fontana del Moro (one of the 3 fountains in Navona)

Looking up to Sant' Andrea della Valle with a flamboyant Baroque facade - this church is the scene of the first act of Puccini's Opera - Tosca.

****** We hit the footpath again - to the FORUM The Forum was the centre of political, judicial and commercial life in ancient Rome - beginning humbly almost 3,000 years ago. The Brig in front of the facade of Trajan's Markets below - Trajan's visionary complex of 150 shops and offices was the ancient equivalent of the modern shopping centre - today only a hint of the complex remains. Below is the Podium of the Temple of Mars in the Forum of Augustus - the victory of Augustus over Julius Ceasar's assassins, Brutus and Cassius was celebrated in this Forum.

The Colosseum

Built in AD 72-80 - Rome's greatest ampitheatre

symbolizes the Imperial fetish for gory spectacle - its practical design with 80 arched entrances, allowed easy access to 50,000 spectators.

The Colosseum overlooks the Forum and it's stunning remains

There were some Roman warriors wandering around the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine This Arch was erected in AD315 to celebrate Constantine's victory over Maximus. We boarded a "hop on - hop off" bus, and hopped off at the top of the Spanish Steps

in the Piazza della Trinita dei Monti

wonderful views over the roofs of Rome from here

Back down those steps, again

A quick shower, and a trot down the lane for our dinner.

Next the Vatican - the day before Pope Paul 11's Beatification

Off to India

Have just arrived home from a delightful - High Tea - at Mudgeeraba - this place is really out in the sticks, in an old Queenslander house - and just delightful. Gail and Steve's eldest daughter, and my second cousin, Petrina flew to the Gold Coast from Sydney for the weekend. She is finishing off a large IT contract in a couple of weeks time, and is then taking off for nearly 6 months touring and working in India, this is Petrina's 4th trip there - she will be back the week before Christmas. So we ladies thought a High Tea in the country with Petrina would be great today - and it was.

Fresh roses on the tables

The 3 generations, Gail, her Mum, and Gail's eldest daughter - Petrina. Petrina and her cousin Maddie.

Maddie has decided to take some "gap" time after her school finals in November to travel, so Sue and Ash gave her a couple of courses for her 18th, that might help her get temporary jobs overseas - Bar, Waitressing etc.

Six Ladies at High Tea!

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We then drove down the same road to an Indian Spice place - spent some time in there - Petrina grabbed some great chutnies for her Mum - and I bought some Lemon Chicken Sauce home for the Brig - it's in the freezer!. We are back out tonight to spend more time with Petrina - Gail and Steve are doing "curries"!!!. As my knowledge of India is negligible - have asked Petrina to do an outline for us on where she will be - she will be doing loads of walking, and a little bit of teaching high up in some places in the Mountains, but exactly where, I am still none the wiser. Auntie Beryl just rolls her eyes - her eldest grand daughter wandering off yet again, and now her youngest (Maddie) wants to do the same!!

Another Twin's Celebration

Have just received this photo today of my friend, Lois's twin grand daughters, photo was taken in their garden in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire - just before their School Graduation last Tuesday.

Haley and Kyle have certainly grown up since we last visited with them in 2005.

The Spanish side of Rome!

We were up at the crack of dawn on our first day in Rome - why - our apartment and the whole building had lost power - so it was time to search for a hot cuppa somewhere. How quiet it was in this extremely "touristy" spot.

The sky was still trying to lighten, but the azaleas up the Spanish Steps and also the towers of the Trinita dei Monti looked outstanding, even in the dimish light.

How lucky were we being here at the same time as the Azaleas

They only last here in flower for around 2 weeks

Looking down to the Fontana della Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna The Carriage Horses move in for their days work and Piazza de Spagna starts livening up for the day

The "roasted chestnut" vendors also set up for their day of selling - wonderful aroma from these stalls.

The Spanish steps were built in the 1720s to link the square with the French Church, Trinita de Monti, it is the most famous square in Rome - it takes its name from the Palazzo di Spagna (above) built in the 17th century to house the Spanish Embassy - above.

The Brig takes time out to look at this "beauties" there were displays of these machines all over Rome - with rather large bodyguards surrounding them. We decided to walk - no real idea of route - but then we thought - let's head to the Tibus, we were in the mid morning "peak hour", cars everywhere, and these magnificently dressed police totally controlling traffic and pedestrians - they do love their uniforms - these italian men, and a few women.

The Tibus does not have the charm of the Seine in Paris, or the Thames in London,

It does not have the "flow rate" of the Seine or Thames

However, a general clean up would be great

One of those Red "Hop on - Hop off" buses turned up we jumped aboard in Piazza san Pietro

The Beatification of Pope Paul was in 3 days

We drove under magnificent Roman walls

not enough time anywhere - and just too many photos to take!!

Below is where Julius Ceasar was assasinated by Brutus, Cassius and their followers on 15 March 44 BC.

The remains of these 4 temples were discovered in the 1920s at the centre of Largo Argentina, and are amongst the oldest found in Rome

Back up the lane to our Apartment Hotel - with or without power?

What a crowd compared to 8 am this morning.

Yep, I think the Brig is on pace for a "happy hour" Cafe - not ready to mingle with all those Tourists - around our place!!!

A delightful first day in so much history