OUR LAST POST

Our adventure in Italy has come to an end and we have moved back to the US. We had the adventure of a life-time living in Italy and we will never forget our time there and the friends we met there. Thanks to all who kept up with our blog. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed keeping it.

PLAYHOUSE IN KANSAS

We had a playhouse built for the grandkids and while we were in Kansas this time they delivered it. It is a toss up though as to who is having more fun in it. Grandma or the grandkids. I did not know you could order so much fun stuff off the internet in playhouse size.

All three of the granddaughters playing on the front porch. Unfortunately Miles is too small right now to join them, but it will not be long before the playhouse takes on some masculine decor. Grandpa will make sure it is NOT all pink.

MANTUA - THE CITY

The Rotonda di San Lorenzo is the most ancient church in Mantua. It was built in the late 11th century. The construction is in brick, with marble in the interior. At one point, it was deconsecrated and used for shops. But later it was restored back to a religious building.

Mantua park

I can not resist taking pictures of the flowers over here.

MANTUA - THE BOAT CRUISE

We took the advice of some of our friends here in Italy and went to Mantua for a weekend. Everyone told us it was a very pretty area and we were not disappointed.

The following are pictures of our river cruise.

We were fortunate enough to get seats at the front of the boat. Our view during the entire trip was spectacular.

This is the view as we were leaving the dock in Mantua. Mantua is a beautiful city.

Going thru the lock from the lake into the river. The temperature this day set a record. It was hotter than it had been there in over 100 years.

It did not seem nearly as hot once we were on the river and the breeze off the water cooled things down.

ISLE OF CAPRI

We spent a day on the Isle of Capri during our recent vacation. Capri is an island that is 3.8 miles long and 1.7 miles wide at its widest point. The elevation changes quite dramatically so we decided to rent a scooter for the day. The scooter was not nearly as comfortable as our touring bike, but it made exploring every inch of the Island a lot easier.

The sea from the top of a castle on the Island.

Another view from the castle

The opposite side of the Island.


As most of you know, I have always been fascinated with (and collect) lighthouses. Here I am in front of the lighthouse on the Island.

Here is a picture of Alan and I at the base of the lighthouse.

SUNSET ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

No words necessary!

THE RUINS OF POMPEII ITALY

One of the stories that always fascinated me as a child was the story of Pompeii. Alan and I decided that while we were in Italy we would take the time to go and see the ruins. It is quite amazing to see how much of the city survived. After the eruption, Pompeii was covered by 30 feet of volcanic ash. I can not imagine the amount of hours that went into excavating this site.



I think this was the entrance to one of the more wealthy homes.




The above picture is a building of importance. Comparable to a modern day court house.

This was the bakery. The 4 stone structures are what remains of the grinding mills. They would tie slaves or mules to the wheels and have them turn the stone all day to grind the grains.

This was the Egyptian temple.