Champions of Cyclosport

Taking a little break from Rome, I thought I'd share some party party photos from a recent fundraiser I got to attend.

Good friends from the tri club - Julia, me, Jerry and Jane. Needless to say, I had been sick for a while and decided that alcohol kills germs so might have overdone it a bit on the champagne. Which means, I over do it on the lovin'. Here Jerry is the center of attention from the girls.

Next, I'm all smiles as I get a photo with Geraint Thomas. Did I mention that this fundraiser featured some pretty experienced cyclists? Yep, Tour de France and white jersey winner, he was nice enough to take a photo with us.

Not content to just take a photo with a man who rides with Lance Armstrong, I decide to give him some pointers on how to ride up a hill. Yep. I am clearly giving advice to a pro cyclist. I blame my fever for making me mental.

The BTS ladies were happy to show off their finery with none other than Mark Cavendish. Me, Jane, Katy ( who took off her shoes so she wouldn't be so tall), Julia and Christina get some quality time. For those of you who don't know who this man is, he won a record number of sprint stages at the Tour de France. Also know as the Manx Missile as he is from the Isle of Man but that is less interesting.

Since I have to rest my weary feet I take photo with Paul. Although it looks like all Jane and I did was chase celebs (not quite true, but very close), I also did rest. :o)  Big thanks to Paul for bringing me as his date as I wouldn't have been here if not for his spending his bonus money on some dress up fun.

Did I mention Jane and I were a bit celebrity chasing. Seriously this wasn't my intention at all! I just got a little carried away. And may have spilled a glass of champagne on David Millar's sister. Don't tell anyone though. (Although she was really nice about it. Really nice)

Did someone say David Millar?? Oh yeah, that's me and him. It was a little weird as I just read his book - which is very good by the way. How often do you meet someone and can say 'I read your book'? A little insider information, this was his first night away from his newborn boy. David's mom was called in to babysit for the new parents. See, I wasn't just star gazing. I was making conversation. Well, technically it was with his wife Nicole Millar but close enough. A fun night out and another brush with cycling greatness. It would be nice if it rubbed off on me now..

Rome on Foot

I thought I would continue with some sights around Rome. We certainly power walked throughout the city and captured some lovely photos.

Who needs a Stair Master when you have to walk up these? I had to stop and rest on the second step. Yes, I am THAT out of shape.

I couldn't resist this photo as we stopped for a beverage.

The Parthenon. I think it says 'Agrippa Slept Here'

Even the ancient Romans enjoyed skylights.

One of my favorite street views. Love, love, love these passage ways. Especially when you can stop and people watch with a glass of wine.

If there were cars instead of people down there it might remind you a bit of Clark Griswald.



Finally, one of my favorite reasons to be in Italy...gelato. The best gelato place ever. Yum Yum Yum. The atmosphere didn't hurt either.

Vatican Museums

Okay, so this post is driving me a bit insane. I can't get the pictures right so I am giving up. Apologies in advance for the out of sequence and color change. I used my camera, my blackberry and Radhika's camera to try and pull this together.... so Radhika and I spent our Friday night on a tour of the Vatican museums. As the sun set we approached the corner of the 6 story wall.

Did you know the Vatican has it's own radio station? Of course it does. Doesn't every country?

You had to look EVERYWHERE in the museums. There was amazing stuff every time you turned your head. Just looking at the ceiling put you in awe.


One of my favorite places ever is the map room. I couldn't get the photos in the right order and I couldn't caption everything (grr!) so forgive the out of sequence. Anyway, one huge hallway is filled with painted maps since you didn't exactly have GPS back in the olden days....

Very detailed and accurate. Impressive for being so old.

Along with admiring the ceiling, the floors were equally impressive.

Even more impressive is the number of people in the musuem at this hour. I know friends who queued for 3 hours just to get in (it took us about 10 minutes) and then it was packed. Definitely a Friday night visit is the way to go....



The Coliseum

In an attempt to show off some of my photos better, I'm trying to change up the blog for a better display. If this doesn't work, I'll revert back and see what I can do.

I'm finally getting the Rome pictures sorted and it's no easy task! Lots of good ones to choose from so I will apologize in advance for the over kill of all things Roman. Following up on Roman ruins, the Coliseum. Every time I look at these pictures I seriously want to go watch Gladiator.

I really enjoyed the displays that showed how they got people and animals from below the arena floor out on to the playing field. You'll have to imagine the lions, tigers, bears and gladiators all in their own areas just ready for their appearance. Too bad they rarely got to go back down.

Just proof that I actually went and didn't scan in a bunch of post cards. I didn't anticipate how hot and sunny it was going to be so had to invest in a street side hat to keep the skin from turning pink. Well worth my 5 euros.  

Like I said, lots of photos to get through. You'll almost feel as if you are at the neighbors house watching home movies of their vacations......

Da Bears

OMG. I had one of those Christmas morning/kid-in-a-candy store/grinning ear to ear/ fun fun fun fun fun evenings the other night.

On a beautiful autumn evening I went to Wembley Stadium

To see the NFL!!!!!!!!! It was Bears versus Bucs at the NFL game in London. Whoop! Whoop! (even writing this blog makes me happy). Was it a little taste of home? Was it just great to be at an NFL game again? I don't know but I had a such a good time.

 Maybe it was having a hot dog? Yes, this is my first hot dog in three years. They even had onions on it! Even though the stadium was branded with Bud Light, I had to settle for the stadium beer of Carlsberg. That's okay. Beer and a hot dog while watching a sports match? Almost close to heaven......

It didn't hurt that I had great seats. Row 14, in the corner of the end zone. All the throwing touchdowns and big interceptions happened in our end. They must have known I was there.

 As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up their home game, the entire stadium was branded in Red and White. They handed out flags to everyone and the stadium was dripping in Tampa Bay gear. I have to say, the crowd responded and when Tampa Bay had the ball, not many people were cheering for the Bears.

 There were still plenty of fans though. Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears. Sausage. Ditka.

 A few Packers fans as well.

 Saints anyone?

Or how 'bout Dolphins, Iowa Hawkeyes, Bears and Bucs? Seriously. Every American football fan wore their jersey to the stadium. It didn't matter who was playing, everyone came to enjoy the NFL.

Still lots of Rome to organize. The weather has been gorgeous here in the UK so I haven't been able to shut myself in the house and get organized. Soon soon soon... but in the mean time, I'm grinning like a cat.

Pirates of the Caribbean?

I'm in the middle of trying to merge my photos with Radhika's so I can put some good posts together. As usual, it is taking longer than expected....

In the mean time, I'll share this statue from inside a church. Looks a bit more like the Pirate ride at Disney than it does a saint. You make the call.

More Roman ruins....

.. but guess where I saw them this time!!

I took a quick weekend trip to Rome (who says that?!?!!) and did some exploring with Radhika. I've got some fantastic photos and you'll be very sick of them after about 8 posts. My obsession with statues went a little over board. Who can help it when you come to this town? Now you'll have to see me whine about organizing my photos for weeks. In the mean time, here's the Coliseum.

It was seriously cool. I have to go watch Gladiator again it was so cool. Here you can see the underground paths and rooms where they staged everything before moving it up to the main floor.

Nope, not the Arc de Triomphe, but similar. We had two days of lovely sunshine and three nights where we drank some good Italian red wine. Not to mention some rest stops along the way for a bierra or prosecco or two. Sight seeing in that town is tiring work!