Monday 28 July 2008

To Geneva, Rome & Florence just to get to TUSCANY!!



We started off with a hilarious sunflower modeling shoot... Very funny as you can see by the sheer enjoyment in Calli's face here!

Strami (Mum) was trying to disguise herself as a sunflower bug... Maybe Calli & I had a hand in this pict!!
And as it always ends up back at Kati Mac's boobs! It was very funny and I think I need more days starting with a sunflower hilarious shoot!
A huge and beautiful church entrance.
After an early start we EVENTUALLY made it to Florence via Roma Campino and after a wonderful night in Locanda Rocco.The Senora was lovely and the free towels and sheets smelt delicious! Just a pity it sounded like we were in a casino all night light with cars people bikes horns and every other conceivable noise!

This one is for Trin loved of narnia lamps!
We rubbed the pig snout for good luck Sabrina's Dad asked Sabry & me to do it last time!!
We wandered, got lost and marveled at Italian beauty.
An idea stolen off a friend (Thanks Barbara!) Me buying my 1st piece of art to decorate my home... When I get a home!!!
Augh the beautiful and famous bridge... love it
(Hamish do you remember the perfume movie ;-0)
I love this humble picture. Couldn't read the sign.
I use to work at a homeless shelter, another volunteer once said to me "there's a fine line between them & us, we were the lucky ones"  That made me think- it made me love them more & at the same time appreciate where I am.
The beloved bridge and me mum!
Reflections are so nice to play with!
On top of the world! Well Firenze!
I love this pict of my mum (she looks great for 57!)
 For my Dad & all those Italians he worked with. Eat out the centre of the bagette shove a sausage (or banana!) in the middle and vwu-la you've got yourself a fine Italian lunch!
Crazy cool curved buildings.
  To Tuscany we go! This pict is for Connor if you like bikes now??
Andrea has a nice new sparkly blue 650cc. He's very proud of his new bike!
(yes Trin it's Sabrina's brother again!)
(Socks & sandals-VERY Italian & I thought they were fashion gurus!)




Mmmmm Papa Maggiolo making
cheese. Soooo good. 10ltrs to make
one cheese- Yikes!
















Isn't he just a big
hunk of an Italian man, a bear with a ballerinas heart!










Mrs Ferrari!
Wild & wonderful Lilly thrilling us all with her english (notice the dictionary in hand!)   Drink fast Mum Italian coffee is down in one mouthful!


The ancient flower lady- she was gorgeous and knarled.




 Birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci. WOW that was pretty amazing
Makeup and hair by Sabrina Maggiolo! Nite out snobby Italian style!
Give me grubby Dublin any day- Bring on FLANNERY'S!!
Awe- Aren't they beautiful and the scenery was amazing!
The parmigiano (parmesan!) mountains.... Where all good cheese comes from!
     The real things- a friends cheese making place!
The cheese getting salty watered for a while!
AMAZING-& to someone out there- I touched your cheese!!!!!! Don't worry I am a nurse so I had nice clean fingers!!!!


This is Andrea's mountain escape, it use to be a cowshed & his gran remade it and now it's Andrea's own little flat. The bed in the top right pict is over 600yrs old, CRUMPS!!!!! ( Maybe he will fall through it Lin like Grandma Baker!!!!)
His flat & village where everyone knows EVERYTHING!!!
The actual famous cheesey mountain!
I LOVE Italy...... Isn't it just adorable and beautiful....

Poor poor poor Italian cows who live forever & a day in a cowshed (barn for all those Italians that it is easier for!!!!)
Breakfast Italian style- chocolate, chocolate & more choc!!!
Deep in discussion- Viareggio!!
5 Terre (five lands!) Beautiful sea on mountains.
I am loving having my camera again!
The sea was an inspiring amazing blue-just wish I got a swim!
Italy land of amazing beauty & graffiti EVERYWHERE even on cactus?!
It's the walk of love!! Pity Sabrina & I did it with my Mum!

No Picking up of flowers you english thieves!

Retro tunnel- Yer!
Cities on the hills- perched, balanced & crazy.
Stunning Italian by heart sisters!

Girls behaving badly!!

Maggiolo dinner spread!
11pm gelato- Mum's still recovering!
Magic ice-cream photos!
And you also can't beat carrousel either for pictures or childish glee.

Men and cars! Proud Papa's old beauty!


















Geneva by sky and Mont Blanc-impressive huh!

Dinner in Geneva ( a little cooler than Italy!)

Lake Geneva...
Breakfast by lake Geneva (more yoghurt!)
Private and free ferry ride (I LOVE free!!)









Trust Geneva to have posh road signs!








Free fresh water drinking fountains cover the whole of Geneva it was ... 'refreshing'!!!


Bombs away jolly old chaps (or old woman in this case!)

Manic roof lines of Geneva.
Von-strap has finally officially lost it!
Hmmmm Life!!!
I love the cover and want to use it as a logo.
Ha ha ha chatter chatter chatter 
Flea market find of the year 2nd hand false-ez!!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.....
Wall of remembrance...
                .... and Vonny.....
What I want to work for.....
UN for Andrew L.
It was this big the UN....
Our perfect hostel in Geneva... Had EVERYTHING.
Last airport lunch before leaving Geneva- Yes I am proud to say I cut the cheese and tomato using my blood donors card (don't tell the airlines people next they'll take our cards off us!!!)

A wonderful, memorable and sad trip that had wonderful reunions followed by sad goodbyes and LOADS of new experiences, photos and additional favourite places!!  We both survived and now I am preparing for my next move to Denmark!


NOT CALLI'S POST------ IT'S KATI MAC WHO'S LOCKED OUT OF HER OWN ACCOUNT!!

2 comments:

Triniti the Luddite said...

I am speechless. All of these photo's speak of experiences that are amazing and life changing. They are awesome.
By the way...he is way cute...Andrea I mean...Sabrina is a stunner.
Mum looks like she was having fun and will have lots of stories to tell.
Love Trin

Anonymous said...

yes he is cute and super kind, thoughtful and sweet but he's a little brother too- to Sabrina and me! She's a total stunner and I love her loads! Mum had a great time but is totally exhausted- she must be old or something!! NITE XXX