Sunshine finally!!

My 5am loo view!!

And what a view!

There has been a huge amount of excitement over the aurora borealis being visible here, over the past couple of nights, due to extreme weather. I did stay up until midnight last night in an attempt to see it but gave up and went to bed. So was chuffed to bits when I went for my early morning loo visit, peeked through the blind and was gifted this fabulous sunrise x

This week has been a very busy week at work. Lots of mock and real exams and clash supervision. Have done 6 days on the run, morning and afternoon. Typically, this week is the week, the sun decides to shine!!

But a fab perk to living so close to work, you can come home between exams and 

sit out in the garden and soak up a few of the warm rays.

Not only has the sun made it's most welcome arrival, 

but so too is the arrival of peonies back in the shops and....

...the alliums at home are in full bloom.

The fields are still fit to bursting with buttercups and dandelions, on my evening walk.

And today we enjoyed lunch out side!!

You have to make the most of it because next week, rain returns. I've loads of exams next week, including a 3 hour Philosophy exam with 45 minutes extra time, plus more clash supervision. So I won't be seeing much of outside anyway. This is when it's hard. You sign up a good couple of months ahead, offering your availability, with no idea what the weather has in store. I just think of the money and our future trips it goes towards. I think September could be hard in the Gallery, if the weather is really nice. You always feel you have to make the most of late September sunshine as you know the good weather is coming to an end! So on that note, I've cooled off a bit, I'm back outside to make the most of this glorious sunshine xx

Another exam week ticked off!

I started the week with a day off. 

The weather wasn't brilliant, in fact it was cold, but......it was dry! 

So, I headed over to the Newt. 

When I went previously, I was made aware that the new four seasons garden had opened, plus there was another pathway I'd not yet walked. So I went to explore. The garden is beautiful, and as time goes on and it becomes more established, it will just get better.

It's all in the detail and over at the Newt, they have it in bucket loads. 

It's just a really beautiful place to spend time at.

Back in for exams on Tuesday and a round-up of the month of April. 

And what a busy month it was too!

A pinch and punch.....hello May!

How are we a third of the way through the year already!?!

The weather has been pretty rubbish! 

The Tor is a good marker every morning, for what weather the day has in store.

The garden is looking very green but all the plants are waiting patiently for some warm sunshine. 

More patiently than me!!! 

Love alliums x
Every year I say we should plant more!

I've not minded being in school whilst the weather is soooo rubbish!

We're still invigilating mocks, year 12 this week, and I've done one 'real' exam!! Things certainly crank up a gear next week and beyond. Year 10 mocks and a peppering of GCSE and A Level. And a bit of chaperoning thrown into the mix, when exam clashes occur. It's all money in the pot!

I was very thankful to have had Saturday off. though.....

....because it was the first day of usable, enjoyable, sit out and make the most of the sunshine, weather!! And that's exactly what I did! By the afternoon, I was back in a fleece! I think for the time being, it's a  case of making the most of the sunshine when we get it, because you never know when we'll see it again. Today is the perfect example....grey, damp, chilly and plain miserable!

It makes such a difference when it's sunny. Everything seems better.

Jeff was back at a reasonable time yesterday afternoon, and spent a few hours pottering in the garden. He discovered a blackbirds nest in the back hedge. Let's hope they do well.

I took myself out for a walk after tea. I've been meaning to start since we got back from Italy but the weather hasn't been the best motivator! It's 8 weeks until we go to Greece, so I'm trying to be super focused, eating healthily and trying to get my steps in!

I'm glad I went. 

The field on my walk is just beautiful.....full of buttercups and dandelions. 

This morning (Sunday) I woke for the loo at 5.55am and had to nip downstairs to get my phone and capture the sunrise. I no longer have to get up early for work, so miss the early morning Tor view. I thought we were in for another lovely day, but no, the damp, mizzily rain moved in!!

As we'll be away for a longer stretch this summer, we've decided not to plant out the sunflowers this year. We may pop some seeds in on our return and hope for the best! Instead we're going to plant out loads of geraniums and sow a few nasturtium seeds. They can tolerate a bit of neglect. It's not so much the watering, but the wind at the front of the house. We have to wire and stake the sunflowers up as they grow taller, or else they'd just fall over. So every time I've been out, I've been buying geraniums!! Do you think I have enough? 

Exams begin.....

This week I start my exam invigilation stint. 

Over the next couple of months, I will be in school invigilating. This job can be thought of as boring, but I actually enjoy the quiet, the stillness, the pure fact you are not 'allowed' to do anything! It's excellent 'thinking time'. You are not allowed to read, write out your shopping list, do the crossword.....you are there to sit and observe! I'm assigned to the learning support team, so I do a range of things. One day I may be in the main hall with a bank of students on laptops, another day I could be one to one with a pupil as a reader or a scribe. It varies greatly and the lady in charge is great at giving you a mix of roles. Initially you offer up your availability and she assigns you a variety of exams. I did leave a few blanks but to be fair, she's constantly sending out emails pleading for people to come forward to fill in the blanks. I couldn't do it, once I commit to something, I follow through, but so many people cancel on her. I honestly would hate her job!! 

I am in school a lot! This role is allowing me the summer off with Jeff. I need to work as much as possible, earn enough money to allow me the luxury of the summer off. In Sainsbury's I was really tied by the set amount of holiday allocated. So although I am on a zero hour contract for this role, and what I do in the gallery, with no job security, monthly wage..... it gives me flexibility and holidays off with Jeff. As long as I can make enough money, it's the perfect scenario.

I had a few free sessions this week, easily filled with coffee and catch-up dates and walking with my friend. I took her to see the bluebells but on the way up to the woods, we were gifted this wonderful scene.....

....a field full of cowslips!

I have never seen this amount in one place. 

It was beautiful.

As were the bluebells!!!

I also had Friday off, haircut time. I have gone super short.....sorry Mum! 

She's not a fan when it's super short, but I love it!!

Both Jeff and I worked Saturday morning. He always does, but at the moment mock exams are on, so as they have Saturday school, exams were still on! Then in the afternoon, Jeff swapped out of his volleyball session, to head off up to Cardiff.

So, whilst we were away in Italy, Sophie had car trouble. Long story short, on our return last weekend, we found a suitable replacement for her to buy, here locally in Shepton Mallet. We bought it last weekend and it's been sat out on the drive. Then during his first available free slot, he went up to Cardiff  to swap it over with Sophie's old car.

Now this wasn't a given. The car hasn't started on a few occasions for Sophie. She's had to disconnect the battery and get someone to jump start it, basically it's become unreliable and she's lost confidence in it. Jeff however, sees it as his new project!!! So he was determined to get it home, so he can work out what the problem is!!!!!! It's been a great little car. She bought it for £650 four years ago and it has been a fab first car for her. She has been looking for a new car for a while to be fair, but it passed it's MOT so we thought we had a year to find a replacement. The car had other ideas!!! Thankfully, he got home in one piece, with no break downs on the motorway!! So we now have 4 cars out on the drive, or as I now term it....the forecourt!!!! Jeff's retro Peugeot 205, Sophie's old Micra, my KA and what will be Sam's Honda Civic in July!!!! The neighbours must think he's a car dealer on the side!!!

Anyway, enough of cars!! It drives me a bit potty! All I want/need is a small, reliable car! But Jeff loves to tinker....well he was an engineer in the RAF when I first met him!!

Anyway, as I said, enough of cars.....let's get to the serious bit, our next trip!

Nine weeks to get beachwear ready!! It's getting closer, rather rapidly to be fair. 

I feel pretty organised. I keep buying things on offer, antihistamine tablets, suntan cream, shower gel....I even tracked down my nice bikini bottoms in our local M&S outlet. I've got my HRT patches and I have my fancy new rucksack ready to pack. I just need to lose a few pounds so I feel fabulous, and can enjoy all the Greek food whilst we're away!!

I'm feeling quite focused food wise. As a member of the Newt, you occasionally get an email with an offer...... £20 off in the shop. Normally, I come home with a cinnamon bun for Jeff, as it is on the pricy side, but when you can get £20 of free food, essentially, you'd be silly not too!!! 

I went for lots of the fresh, homegrown tomatoes, peppers, onions, salad leaves. Eggs, oatcakes, a sourdough loaf, almonds and a 'treat' apple cake. I mean, how fabulous do these tomatoes look?

We're having them for lunch, a throwback to the wonderful, delicious bruschetta we enjoyed in Italy. Would be even better if we could sit outside and eat in the garden, in lovely warm sunshine. But the reality is, it's blumin freezing!!. It's grey and cold and damp and generally miserable!! And the forecast doesn't bring much improvement. Sigh!!

Everything is so behind. I guess it'll all last longer but it is unseasonably cold. Hence, it's nice to have Greece to look forward to. Warm, sunny days to come xx

BUONGIORNO!!

We are home!

Back from a fabulous 9 days away in Italy.

It was fantastic trip, wonderful weather, delicious food, brilliant places.

Only downer....mosquito bites!

Day one or really half!! Pisa!! 

Originally we were flying out to Pisa on the Wednesday morning. However, easyJet changed our flight to a Tuesday evening, so we had to get an extra night's accommodation. It was great not to get up super early but it did mean we didn't arrive into Pisa until 9pm, but a lovely 17 degrees. We went through the new security scanners at Bristol Airport, which was super speedy, as was the Pisamover. €6.50 one way, super easy, takes you straight into Pisa Centrale train station, and then a 5 minute walk to our accommodation for the night, an old traditional Italian apartment. Tiled terrazzo floors, lace curtains, artificial flower displays, big, heavy, dark wooden furniture......and mosquito's, that took a liking to my ear and eyelid!!

Day two! Pisa and La Spezia.

We were up early, with 5 hours to explore Pisa. The Kieth Haring mural and the Leaning Tower of Pisa being the main attractions! There isn't a great deal to Pisa, just a great place to get to other places!! After a delicious lunch, we headed back to collect our luggage, then catch the train to La Spezia, our home for the following 3 nights.

Keith Haring mural.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

LUNCH!!

Yum!

 Our accommodation in La Spezia!

 Up on the fifth floor, no lift, 96 steps up!! 

Great view!! Always a positive!

La Spezia, is best known for being a big Naval Port, and it's where the cruise ships dock. It was a pleasant surprise. A lovely Italian town and a great base to explore the Cinque Terre.

Tea, the first of many Focaccia!

Day three and a fabulous day exploring the Cinque Terre. 

We stayed in La Spezia as it was much cheaper than anywhere on the Cinque Terre. And you could get a  Cinque Terre pass, giving you unlimited train journeys to all 5 of the villages along the Cinque Terre.  However, when we went to the tourist information point, they announced there was going to be a train strike the following day! The strike started from 9am, so we decided to get up early and catch a train before it began. We had breakfast in one of the villages along the Cinque Terre! and then hiked to the next. The strike was due to end early afternoon, so we could then get a train to a further village later in the day. My heart did stop for a moment when she said train strike! Having the train so easily available, is why we chose to stay in La Spezia!!

So we breakfasted in Vernazza, the fourth village along the Cinque Terre!....

....before hiking to Monterosso.

The trail classed itself as 'average' but I think you needed a reasonably good level of fitness and good knees!! We certainly made the right decision starting early, walking towards Monterosso, rather than the other way round. The incline was still steep but more gradual, and going early meant less stopping to let people pass, as it was quite narrow in a few places. The recent rain made some parts a little slippy, but on the whole, the paths were good.

fabulous views

The trail took us about 2 hours of constant walking. It certainly got busier towards the end, with lots of stopping to let people pass. The descent was brutal on the knees, and I did feel sorry for the people just starting out with such a steep climb as they set off. I was relieved we'd done it the other way round. The views were incredible, and I'm glad we did it. The weather and 18-degree temperature was perfect. I'm not sure I'd of even contemplated doing it in the heat of the summer!

Jeff's reward......his first swim in the sea for the year. 

I was happy to sit and look after the bags!! 

After wandering around Monterosso, we headed to.....

...Manrola....

and finally Riomaggiore. 

Another beautiful, colourful village. I would say Riomaggiore is the prettiest of the five. 

We walked up through the town, then down to the colorful harbour.

Day four and our last on the Cinque Terre. 

First up, we went beyond the 5 villages, by train, to the coastal town of Levanto, also included in the Cinque Terre pass.. A chilled out, calm, slow paced Italian town. Loved it. 

Levanto

We headed back to Monterosso so Jeff could swim. I even paddled, such a glorious day. 

We then went to the last of the villages, Corniglia.

 It's the only one of the five to not have access to the sea but a very welcome minibus that drives you up to the village in the hills. The smallest of the five.

And then finally back to Riomaggiore, for the best fried vegetables for tea!! 

Day five and  Florence. 

An unseasonably hot, 29-degrees! We planned this trip for April, as it would be a nice temperature to wander around!! Not that I'm complaining, better than rain any day, but boy, was it hot!! We got the train from La Spezia in the morning.....

....arriving in Florence midday.

Ticked off the Mercato Centrale, a large indoor market and food hall.

the statue of  David (one of 5)....

......the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

We bought some bits for tea and headed up to Piazzale Michelangelo, the 'must go to' sunset spot. A large square with panoramic views across the whole of Florence. My sister and I had gone there, but as we were visiting for the day, and we had to leave before the actual sunset due to train times. 

This would be the time.....or would it??

We found our spot, grabbed a beer.....

...and sat ready to enjoy the sunset.

The reality however, was not so enjoyable. 

The only view you ended up having, was a stream up people going either up or down the steps.....

....so we left and enjoyed the views on the walk back down.

Catching a glimpse of a sunset!

Day six and a hot day exploring Siena and San Gimignano. 

Both beautiful places, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Not everything went to plan, due to it being a Sunday. Bus issues made proceedings tricky, but as a result, we met some lovely people who we would not have otherwise encountered. Things happen for a reason.

We were up early, Siena bound! And as a result of our early start, got to enjoy an almost 'people free' Florence. It was wonderful, so we did a loop of the Duomo, before heading off to catch our train.

My memory of Siena from 32 years ago was correct, in terms of the large piazza, but that was it!! We arrived on time, trains no problem but it was really confusing where to get the bus from the station, up to the town. Long story short, after a conversation in Spanish, being sent in different directions, the bus nearly leaving without us, we and are new fellow bus seekers got there!! Siena was the worst place for clear signs, directions. So once we got our bearings, we went in search of coffee and breakfast! And WOW! we lucked out with this fantastic spot! Made up for all the earlier hassle.

The Piazza del Campo was bigger than I remembered. Siena was bigger than I remembered. Sat on the top of the hill, the tall, narrow streets gave welcome shade. There were many ups and downs as we meandered our way through the streets. It got busier as the morning went on but not as busy as Florence had seemed the day before.

The Catterdrale di Santa Maria Assunta. 

You first noticed its striking presence from the bus stop on our arrival. Siena has lots of churches - 36 most mentioned, according to Google! The Basilica di S. Domeniico had a dominating presence, as did many others. Unfortunately, we didn't plan long enough in Siena, another trip one day, maybe! One, I didn't remember how big it was. Two, it was very hot! 3, it was a Sunday. After a few hours of exploration, we had to go in search of the bus again. Another trial, partly due to it being a Sunday and lack of frequency but also lack of signage! Anyway, thanks to a group of young girls and their help, we made it back to the train station and onto our next stop, Poggibonsi!

What should have been a really easy arrival in Poggibonsi, get the 130 bus to San Gimignano, turned into no bus arriving for 2 hours. Luckily for us, two other guys were in the same boat. So rather than waste the afternoon, we got talking and decided to club together and get a taxi with the delightful Stefano! Through conversation, you realise what a small world it is. (Read Jeff's blog if you are interested) They were great to talk to. Without our bus strife, we would gave never met, and how sad would that have been! Chance encounters are sometimes the things you remember the most!

San Gimignano was beautiful. 

I loved it. 

It was busy but seemed to have a calmer feel about the place. 

It's a small walled town up on the hillside, surrounded by beautiful Tuscan countryside. 

The views were simply stunning.

Day 7 and a day trip to Bologna. 

Another brilliant Italian city, we loved it! It's a University city, spacious, lots to see and do. 

The main square, Piazza Maggiore is a vast space, lined by impressive buildings around its perimeter. 

The Basilica di San Petronio.

The whispering walls

The city of Porticoes (covered walkways). 

It was a beautiful, hot, sunny day, in the high 20s, and the Porticoes gave us some welcome shade.

In medieval times there were up to 100 towers in the city of Bologna. Just 28 have survived until today, among which the famous Two Towers, called Torre degli Asinelli and Torre Garisenda. You can climb to the top but unfortunately they were closed, due to work being carried out. They are on a very busy road junction and tricky to photograph

One of the main things we did do, was to walk the longest covered walkway in the world - The Portico di San Luca, a landmark monument of Bologna, the longest covered walkway, made up of 666 porticoes. 

It was longer, steeper, harder than we anticipated!!

This Google image gives you a good idea of the walk!

Once at the top though, you can take in the fantastic panoramic views of the city and ....

.....surrounding countryside. 

It was a hard climb but so worth it.

 

Had to have bolognese in Bologna. Absolutely deeeeeelicious!

Day eight! 

Our final day in Florence..... 

.....and the most perfect way to start the day!!

It was time to climb the 414 steps to the top of Giotto's Tower. 

The best views of the Duomo and the city. 

The Baptistery below.

Next up, the Giardino delle Rose. 

A beautiful (free) rose garden and home to some fabulous sculptures by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. The most perfect spot to end our time in Florence. 

We were soon back on the train, heading back to Pisa 

for the final couple of days of our Italian adventure. 

Last pizza!!

And just in time to catch the last of the sunset colours at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The river Arno.

Day nine and our final day! 

On the train again, to Lucca and an afternoon in Pietrasanta. 

Loved both places, felt far less touristy, and much more authentically Italian. 

 The Torre Guinigi. The tower is 44 meters high, 230 steps up! Easy, compared to Giotto's Tower the day before! The climb was definitely worth it, and the stairs up were much easier to climb. On the roof of the tower, built for the Guinigi family, there were holm oak trees. Jeff didn't believe me when I said we were looking for a tower with trees on the top!!

Had our first rain but everywhere still looked beautiful.

 Rather than get the train back to Pisa, we headed over to Pietrasanta. I only knew of it from my time in the Art Gallery. One of the artists had exhibited their work there and said if we had time, we should go, and I'm glad we did! Pietrasanta has always been popular for sculptors and painters and has become a gathering place for artists from all over the world. 

As you walk around the town, you can admire contemporary art and sculpture, and artworks in the many galleries and scattered along the streets of the town.

We sat and enjoyed the last of our Italian sun, before catching the train back to Pisa.

We had such glorious weather, maybe a little too hot on a couple of the days but far better than the rain that had been forecast. We had to plan for all weathers, needless to say, we didn't wear half of what we packed!! 

Our last supper!! The food has been wonderful! Jeff now truly appreciates why I prefer Italian food to Spanish!! We went back to where we had lunch on our first day, and it did not disappoint! 

We got back to our accommodation before the rain started, under the rumbles of thunder. 

It's been a fabulous Italian adventure. 

Back on the Pisamover....

....to the airport and home!! 

We drank the best coffee and sipped the most refreshing beer!

We ate bruscetta, focaccia, arancini, pasta, pizza.....
......the best pastries gelato, tiramisu x

Loved every mouthful, no guilt.

Faced the scales once I got home, was delighted. I only put on one pound, after eating all the delicious food whilst in Italy. We did average 20,000 steps a day over our 9 day trip, so that must have helped. 

 It was definitely better than I was expecting xx

Jeff  started a blog to accompany our Instagram posts. He's much better at writing than me and I'm better at taking the photos than him! The perfect combo! Hopefully we capture our travels in an interesting and informative way. You can follow it HERE!

So it's Ciao for now....

....until the next time xx

Time to turn my thoughts to our next adventure.....

......Greece in just 10 weeks time!!

I have a lot of exams to invigilate between now and then!!

It's straight back to it tomorrow, mock Year 10 exams to kick start things off!

The garden at home is 'growing'. 

The fig tree is leafing up and the first of the alliums are beginning to flower.

I met a friend yesterday and spent most of the day over at the Newt. 

It was looking beautiful. I must go back when I have chance.

And this morning, I headed out in search of the bluebells, before they go over. I'm meant to be walking with my friend on Thursday but the forecast isn't great, so thought I should squeeze in a visit just in case rain stops play!! Photo's never do them justice, a carpet of blue across the woodland floor.

So a 5 week burst of exams now until half term.

Have a good week x