Summer Break travels around England and Italy. Friends, life, love, music, sightseeing, experiences and more formed some great times over the Northern Hemisphere Summer.
June, July, August, 2008.
June, July, August, 2008.
Locations: Rome, Sorrento, Pompeii
School trips. I have enjoyed a few in my time as a teacher and the perks that they offer. But far be it for me to just enjoy the fruits of other labours. I put forward a proposal for a joint Humanities trip to the Headmaster and in conjuntion with other departments in the school got planning.
The response was fantastic and in the end some 60 students signed up to come on a trip to Italy. Ah, Italy, what a delight this country is. Places and sights and people marvellous and varied. But here I was planning a trip to such a place. Well the work was hard, the planning long, but the rewards were exceptional.
With the summer in full-swing and a trip to Venice already my introduction it was time to do my rekkie trip (reconaissance that is) to Rome and to Sorrento (pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius)
With Yani on her holidays it was also a chance for us to get in a trip together and enjoy some good times of exploration, relaxation and sun into the bargain.
Our first major trip in Rome was to see the varied wonders of the Vatican Museums. It ranks as one of the greats as a museum and brings grandeur and power together on a massive scale. Courtyards and buildings are testament to the power of the See of Rome during its heyday as the main church of Europe and a strong political power in the bargain.
The courtyard of Pope Julius II
And in it? Why none other than the statue of Laocoön and His Sons. This is one of the great sculptings of the world. It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (the great Roman author) who attributes it to three master sculptors from the island of Rhodes in the Aegean sea.
Its meaning? The Trojan priests Laocoon and his sons are strangled by the sea serpents as they try to warn the Trojans of the ruse of the Trojan horse. Fate and the gods entwin as the day of reckoning for Troy comes to hand.
Rooms filled with the marvellous and the exotic.
The Gallery of Maps: Topographical maps of the whole of Italy. These were painted by the friar, Danti of Perugia for Pope Gregory III (1572–1585). Danti spent a monumental three years (1580–1583) completing the 40 panels. The hall is dazzling and well designed also. The eye is drawn heavenward to marvel at the achievements of man in adoration of God.
Hallways filled with the works of Raphael confront the eye. None is more special or poignant to me though then the School of Athens. This painting confronts both the eye and the mind and challenges us to be better and more learned individuals.
The Sistine Chapel! Not much more needs to be said. The work of Michengelo is stunning and mesmerising. Though the chapel itself is smaller than expected.
Too much to describe really. Memories abound, but we must move on. Other and perhaps greater sights will soon abound.
St Peter's Square.
The Swiss Guard.
Interiors of St Peter's. At what cost the Reformation?
The tomb of St Peter. So claimed anyway.
It might have been built on the sale of indulgences, but it is simply too profound a sacred space to concentrate on such petty things. This is an achievement of man that should be applauded for its scope and achievement.
In the crypts the tomb of St Peter draws tantilisingly closer.
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo. The Emperor Hadrian commissioned it as a mausoleum for his family. And here, some 1900 years later it still survives. Its use as a fortress and castle in medieval times helped to keep it intact. Marvellous really.
Ah, what can be more romantic than such a great symbol of Rome and of classicism lit up in the night? Answer: very little.
Cool and suave in the shadow of the Colosseum, I guess it just brings it out in any ancient historian or student of.... ;)
We explore it the next day.
Even in my potentially ridiculous outfit an air of gravitas is imparted.
Ah, the Forum. Instruction to glands, begin salivating now.
Too marvellous for words. Yes, that is what piles of old buildings do for me. Yani must be really laughing at my predilictions here.
Ave citizens.
There are few monuments from Rome more intriguing, helpful and insightful than this one - Trajan's column. The emperor Trajan recorded many of the deeds and campains that he undertook throughout the edges of the empire. In particular his campaigns in Dacia and Parthia and the methods used for fighting and seige warfare are referenced and provide invaluable insight into the methodology of the Roman Army.
The Trevi Fountain - more evidence of the delights and grandeur of Renaissance Italy.
Spice and herb markets. Simply the best in Italy.
Well Rome was a sumptous feast to the mind and spirit. The next locations were of similar or greater ilk. We were now heading down to the Almafi coast, the delights of Sorrento and the near unsurpassed beauty of the Bay of Naples.
To Pompeii of course. Where else could we go. Preserved by the ash layers of erupting Mt Vesuvius in 79AD this is a Roman town come to life. Here, the streets, shops, villas, ampitheatres and more can still be walked and experienced in a way rarely possible in other parts of the Empire.
Temple to Apollo. Yani makes a good goddess methinks.
The theatre.
Walk the streets of a Roman town - yes you can!
Ampitheatre - wonderful!
Intact murals.
The forum of Pompeii. Other and exceptional sights abounded. Just go if you get the chance - go!
mare mediteranuem
Sorrento had its own delights to offer. Spacious streets, cafes and restaurants, fruit stores and beaches - the perfect relaxation after time at Pompeii.
Well with the trip to Italy done and dusted (alas one might say), it was time for us to both get back to work. But there is always the weekend when holidays do finish. A trip up to my favourite of Oxford to meet up with old summer camp friends beakoned for Yani and I.
Meet-up with Pav and some introduction to English Ales and Inklings lore began.
Yes, we were in the Eagle and Child, the haunt and layabout of Tolkien and Lewis and others of the informal Inklings crew.
25th August - yep my Birthday. Yani organised a surprise bash at the Thai Smiles restaurant.
See! For those that don't believe, I am capable of romance. Dinners and good food abound when I am around.
Another trip to Oxford for the end of August and the waning of summer. But on this rare sun drenched day I was going to be doing something more profound.
Marvelling yes!
Lording it over all mankind - yes!
Spending time with my beloved in the mystical glades of Oxford - but of course.
But how about an engagement? Well that does top off the day and indeed a summer. Yani and I were to be wed. The sun glimmered over the towers of Oxford and I, daring deeply, asked that question.
And she accepted...
School trips. I have enjoyed a few in my time as a teacher and the perks that they offer. But far be it for me to just enjoy the fruits of other labours. I put forward a proposal for a joint Humanities trip to the Headmaster and in conjuntion with other departments in the school got planning.
The response was fantastic and in the end some 60 students signed up to come on a trip to Italy. Ah, Italy, what a delight this country is. Places and sights and people marvellous and varied. But here I was planning a trip to such a place. Well the work was hard, the planning long, but the rewards were exceptional.
With the summer in full-swing and a trip to Venice already my introduction it was time to do my rekkie trip (reconaissance that is) to Rome and to Sorrento (pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius)
With Yani on her holidays it was also a chance for us to get in a trip together and enjoy some good times of exploration, relaxation and sun into the bargain.
Our first major trip in Rome was to see the varied wonders of the Vatican Museums. It ranks as one of the greats as a museum and brings grandeur and power together on a massive scale. Courtyards and buildings are testament to the power of the See of Rome during its heyday as the main church of Europe and a strong political power in the bargain.
The courtyard of Pope Julius II
And in it? Why none other than the statue of Laocoön and His Sons. This is one of the great sculptings of the world. It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder (the great Roman author) who attributes it to three master sculptors from the island of Rhodes in the Aegean sea.
Its meaning? The Trojan priests Laocoon and his sons are strangled by the sea serpents as they try to warn the Trojans of the ruse of the Trojan horse. Fate and the gods entwin as the day of reckoning for Troy comes to hand.
Rooms filled with the marvellous and the exotic.
The Gallery of Maps: Topographical maps of the whole of Italy. These were painted by the friar, Danti of Perugia for Pope Gregory III (1572–1585). Danti spent a monumental three years (1580–1583) completing the 40 panels. The hall is dazzling and well designed also. The eye is drawn heavenward to marvel at the achievements of man in adoration of God.
Hallways filled with the works of Raphael confront the eye. None is more special or poignant to me though then the School of Athens. This painting confronts both the eye and the mind and challenges us to be better and more learned individuals.
The Sistine Chapel! Not much more needs to be said. The work of Michengelo is stunning and mesmerising. Though the chapel itself is smaller than expected.
Too much to describe really. Memories abound, but we must move on. Other and perhaps greater sights will soon abound.
St Peter's Square.
The Swiss Guard.
Interiors of St Peter's. At what cost the Reformation?
The tomb of St Peter. So claimed anyway.
It might have been built on the sale of indulgences, but it is simply too profound a sacred space to concentrate on such petty things. This is an achievement of man that should be applauded for its scope and achievement.
In the crypts the tomb of St Peter draws tantilisingly closer.
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo. The Emperor Hadrian commissioned it as a mausoleum for his family. And here, some 1900 years later it still survives. Its use as a fortress and castle in medieval times helped to keep it intact. Marvellous really.
Ah, what can be more romantic than such a great symbol of Rome and of classicism lit up in the night? Answer: very little.
Cool and suave in the shadow of the Colosseum, I guess it just brings it out in any ancient historian or student of.... ;)
We explore it the next day.
Even in my potentially ridiculous outfit an air of gravitas is imparted.
Ah, the Forum. Instruction to glands, begin salivating now.
Too marvellous for words. Yes, that is what piles of old buildings do for me. Yani must be really laughing at my predilictions here.
Ave citizens.
There are few monuments from Rome more intriguing, helpful and insightful than this one - Trajan's column. The emperor Trajan recorded many of the deeds and campains that he undertook throughout the edges of the empire. In particular his campaigns in Dacia and Parthia and the methods used for fighting and seige warfare are referenced and provide invaluable insight into the methodology of the Roman Army.
The Trevi Fountain - more evidence of the delights and grandeur of Renaissance Italy.
Spice and herb markets. Simply the best in Italy.
Well Rome was a sumptous feast to the mind and spirit. The next locations were of similar or greater ilk. We were now heading down to the Almafi coast, the delights of Sorrento and the near unsurpassed beauty of the Bay of Naples.
To Pompeii of course. Where else could we go. Preserved by the ash layers of erupting Mt Vesuvius in 79AD this is a Roman town come to life. Here, the streets, shops, villas, ampitheatres and more can still be walked and experienced in a way rarely possible in other parts of the Empire.
Temple to Apollo. Yani makes a good goddess methinks.
The theatre.
Walk the streets of a Roman town - yes you can!
Ampitheatre - wonderful!
Intact murals.
The forum of Pompeii. Other and exceptional sights abounded. Just go if you get the chance - go!
mare mediteranuem
Sorrento had its own delights to offer. Spacious streets, cafes and restaurants, fruit stores and beaches - the perfect relaxation after time at Pompeii.
Well with the trip to Italy done and dusted (alas one might say), it was time for us to both get back to work. But there is always the weekend when holidays do finish. A trip up to my favourite of Oxford to meet up with old summer camp friends beakoned for Yani and I.
Meet-up with Pav and some introduction to English Ales and Inklings lore began.
Yes, we were in the Eagle and Child, the haunt and layabout of Tolkien and Lewis and others of the informal Inklings crew.
25th August - yep my Birthday. Yani organised a surprise bash at the Thai Smiles restaurant.
See! For those that don't believe, I am capable of romance. Dinners and good food abound when I am around.
Another trip to Oxford for the end of August and the waning of summer. But on this rare sun drenched day I was going to be doing something more profound.
Marvelling yes!
Lording it over all mankind - yes!
Spending time with my beloved in the mystical glades of Oxford - but of course.
But how about an engagement? Well that does top off the day and indeed a summer. Yani and I were to be wed. The sun glimmered over the towers of Oxford and I, daring deeply, asked that question.
And she accepted...
2 comments:
Very romantic.
Lovely pictures.
Yes, the setting of Italy is a rather good tapestry for such things.
Historically romantic as well.
Post a Comment