Summer is approaching...

Here in Holland we are slowly beleiving it is going to happen; Summer is approaching.
It's been lovely, Sunny weather for a good week now, not too warm, and everybody is enjoying it immensely!

 I've been enjoying my  (nearly) 4 weeks of work and went to Rome from may 27th untill June 2th. My sister and I were amazed by all the sites to see. The Colosseum was just around the corner and you can't say that very often. We visited many things like the Colosseum, Forum Romanum, Palatine, the Vatican and the Pantheon.

In between all those things we saw pittoresque little Streets, visited a small market, went to a shopping mall called Cinecitta Due (near the Original studio's) and tried to do as the Romans do.

Which is a nice saying, but very hard when you are an independent, efficient, quiet traffic rules respecting, what you see is what you get, Dutch citizen.

Let me explain; the traffic was horrendously busy. Nobody respects zebra crossings. Some Romans do NOT respect green lights AND zebracrossings. We had the constant urge to check the menu for hidden prices. And with this you had to watch out for bad pavements, they were sometimes as bad as the ruins we visited. But overall it was worth the visit. LOL!!

Here are some piccies;

Typical Italian form of transport, opposite of our Hotel Solis

 

 

Me (left) an my sister inside the Colosseum

 

 

The Trevi Fountain, tucked away in the corner on a small square.

 

 

Mosaic in the Vatican

 

 

The famous balcony where the Pope stands on special occassions

 

 

The most beautiful vegetable stall I  ever saw!

 

 

 

 

Me on the Spanish Steps

 

 

 

 June 2th Day of the Republique, a National Holiday

 

 

 

 

Since Monday the 3th I've been back and doin all sorts of things. clearing out and throwing things which were long overdue to throw away. Just enjoying "simple" things, like drinking coffee on a bench in my front garden. Doing some groceries (and enjoying the order in our traffic) Thursday the 6th was the last day of our traditional 4 day Evening Walk (Avond 4 Daagse) where all kinds of people (but especially children) walk different lengths of kilometres every evening, to earn a medal on the last evening and their families are spectators, honouring them with flowers and treats. My brother in law and my two nieces walked 40 kilometres devided into the 4 evenings.

 

(From left to right)My brother in law Etienne, and nieces Lot (10 ) and Emma (14)

 

To finish my update here are some pictures of some bunting I've made (inspired by Lucy from Attic24) and some lovely coasters for my webshop ( www.teenyweenydesign.etsy.com )

 

Decoration for my livingroom

 



 

 

Coasters Cath (matching the colours on the mugs!) 

 

Coasters Rainbow (cross section 9 cm)