Gino - One Year Old

Gino came to us as a kitten needing a home in July 2011.

His first year of life has been an eventful one.

He nearly lost a front leg when someone shot at him with an airgun.

After an operation, pinning and several months of recuperation,

Gino is recovering the use of his leg, which is slightly shorter than

the other one.  Now that he can get out and about again
he doesn't seem to wander far from home.

Gino, R.I.P.

A glimpse of the sea

San Felice Circeo in August 2011

San Felice Circeo June 2012

San Felice Circeo is one of the resorts to

 in South Lazio, Italy.

However, as we got near the coast the weather

was not so good for a picnic on the sand.

It was the only day when the weather was

not in our favour when we went out on a trip.

Instead of the beach picnic we went

into town and found a lovely little park that

was obviously popular with local families.

   

 I took some photos of  the surrounding residential area 

with its local convent church and grounds. 

This was a meadow opposite the park.  Beyond this area of the

town is the forested zone of the Circeo National Park and Nature Reserve. 

A trip to Pompeii

View of the main entrance through
 the Porta Marina Superiore (Sea Gate)

We took the grandchildren to Pompeii which is a good two hour drive from our home in the countryside south of Rome.

It's such a vast site we had decided beforehand which area we wanted to explore. Because of the time of the year the site was relatively empty and we were able to appreciate fully the features of this well-preserved, ancient city that had remained buried six meters deep under volcanic ash until two centuries ago.

The view of  nearby Vesuvius reminded us of the eruption that had taken place in 79 AD causing devastation to the settlements along this coastal region, including Pompeii, which had been founded many hundreds of years beforehand.  

It's fascinating to walk along the excavated streets, enter into the remains of private houses and public buildings and see huge, still-standing columns, detailed wall paintings, carvings and other artifacts that give an understanding of the lifestyle of the citizens before the destruction of Pompeii.

The slender columns of the arcade on one side of the Forum

Huge stone slabs and intricately carved pieces of marble were strewn around.
Can you see the leaf, possibly a frog and a bird?  

Via di Nola - one of the main streets where there are
stepping stones.  The ruts made by carriages can be seen.

  

Leaving the site through the Porta Marina the visitor
can see that there were two thoroughfares, one for citizens
and one for carriages or animals.

There is an information centre and restaurant on the site as well as places to stop and rest and have some refreshments on the street outside.

However, our car park was situated nearby and our car was sheltered from the sun by orange trees where we enjoyed our picnic in the shade. 

 

Monte Vesuvio