#shoosh pope

[aymorphey]

seeing someone you know out in public:

[bellarkeselection]

Hi know you just made a short for me but i came up with a part 2 cuz watching the wight princess right now . And i was thinking what if the next part henery and y/n have a dissaggment with y/n mother for marry ing henery instead of her sister but henery yeels at the mother for making her daughter hid the truth from him

Bethoral Doesn't Matter

Part 1

"Y/n, stop worrying. She's your mother." Henry tries to reassure me wrapping his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder moving my loose hair. Turning in his arms I play with the front of his shirt feeling nervous about talking to my mother. I didn't look or talk to her the night of the wedding. But I know I'm going to pay for changing her plans for Lizzie, by taking the crown from her. "I know I shouldn't worry. It's just - what if she hates me-" He raises a finger to my lips shooshing me with a gentle smile. "If that comes to pass then you'll have a home with me. Always as my Queen."

We slowly walked down to her chambers hands intertwined together until I knocked on the door. She lifted her head up from her book standing up front her small table. Henry closed the door behind him eyeing his mother in law. "Mother, let me explain-" I start to talk but she slammed her book shut raising her voice. "How could you ruin our house. You're sister was supposed to marry him not you!" I tilt my head down playing with the fabric of my dress knowing she isn't done with her rant. "We are Yorks and we do not stoop to the enemy. Climb into his bed because you believe all the promises he can give you. I taught you better!" Henry stepped up getting beside me standing protective. "You mean like when you taught her to lie about who she really was. To say she wasn't worth as much as Elizabeth!"

"I never said anything like that. You see Y/n this what he does. Twisting our words against us." She aims her index finger at him glaring angerly. "Give up the crown and we'll try to get the pope to undo the marriage-" I raise my hands feeling tears starting to fall down my cheeks. "I don't want to undo the marriage or remove him from the throne. I know that's what you raised me to do but I don't want to anymore." My mother whipped her head confused. "Why?" Throwing my hands up I shouted towards my mother crying out in tears. "Because I think we could be like you and dad were. Like Elizabeth and Edward!" Henry takes my hand in his tugging me outside and pulling me into his chest. He runs one hand through my hair and his other on my back as I threw my arms around his neck crying.

We stayed like this for a little while until I break away wiping away tears only for more to come out. "Don't listen to her. It's you and me. Side by side, always." He kisses my forehead hugging me again and I hug him smiling. "Thank you, Henry. We shall rule together even if she doesn't want me to." Leaning up I kissed him softly feeling him kissing back.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[mayraki]

CHAPTER SEVEN

“max and her crazy level of bitchiness”

CHAPTER SIX

SERIES MASTERLIST

MY MASTERLIST

NOTE: hellooo👀 I made a playlist and a pinterest board for this series a long time ago and I’d like to share it with you guys! let me know if you’re interested and if you want me to tag you when I post it! :)

summary: Max Belinsky and JJ Maybank are the two troublemakers of Outer Banks. Going to parties, getting into trouble, having an attitude and being the two people you don’t mess with are the perfect ways to describe them. What would happen when the two people who seem to have trouble follow them around meet? One thing is fore sure, they didn’t expect this outcome.

Max loved the sound of the waves hitting the water. The way the sun would touch her skin and the wind blowing her face. But what she loved the most was when her friends where on time... wich never happened because Sam was the messiest person she ever met, and she had a little brother who would hide dirty underwear under his bed. Sam would always lose track of time and show up twenty minutes late, even if her best friend had told her to not be late because the waves were perfect on that time in the morning.

Max had a little break between work and having to go home and make lunch for Cody, so she would always catch some waves with her best friend. She was sitting down playing with the sand with her feet, while her board was next to her. That’s when she saw her blonde friend running towards her and waving with the hand that was not holding her surf board.

“Before you say anything, I love you and you’re the best friend I could ever ask for.” Sam said catching her breath. “And I’m sorry.”

“You should be! I’ve been waiting for almost half an hour.” Max said trying to be angry at her best friend, but she knew she could never be. “Where were you?”

“Hanging out.” She said quickly.

“Hanging out?” Max asked confused. “With who?”

“Are you seriously playing the jealous girlfriend right now?” Sam said before letting out a little laugh.

“Hell yeah I am, now tell me, with who are you cheating me with?” Max crossed her arms around her chest waiting for the answer.

“I was with Kie.” She said calmly and Max opened her mouth surprised.

“You’re cheating on me with Kie?!”

“What?!” Sam looked around when a couple of old people started to stare. “I’m not cheating.”

“Did you had fun with her?” Max at this point was joking around by playing the jealous girlfriend, she had to do something to her friend since she made her wait. “Does she gave you those little chocolates that you really like, huh? Does she know how much you like to talk at 1 am in the morning?” Sam rolled her eyes and was trying to not get much attention from the people on the beach but Max didn’t care, she was really enjoying it. She gasped really loudly that gained the looks of even more people. “Have you called her and not me?! You traitor!” Max touched her chest like it hurted and closed her eyes.

“Stop it!” Sam yelled. “Alright I’m sorry I didn’t call you to let you know I was going to be late, but please, stop with this games, people are staring.”

Max looked around to see that Sam was right, there was at least ten people staring at them both. “Show’s over! Go to catch some drama somewhere else.” She shoosh everyone with her hand and the people slowly started to spread around. “I’m not mad you idiot. You should’ve called, but I’m glad you are hanging out with Kie. She’s cool, but don’t you dare replace me with her-��

“Don’t worry about it, this is nothing like that.” Sam cut Max off.

“What do you mean?” Max asked confused.

“Uuuh, nothing.” Sam said quickly. “Let’s catch this waves!” She started to run towards the surface leaving Max with a bunch of questions on her mind.

“Why are we doing this again?” Max asked JJ while they were waiting on a dock Max never saw before.

“We have to pick up the kegger for tonight, John B’s orders.” JJ saluted Max jokingly and she just sighed. She didn’t want to be there, specially when the sun was hitting her skin and making her sweat like a pig. “The guy should be here any minute now.” He said and Max started to look around. But when a familiar boy appeared on her sight, her mouth went slightly open for the surprise and she quickly turned around.

“Fuck. What is he doing here?” She said frustrated and JJ turned to her confused.

“What?”

“My... ex-boyfriend is here.” Max said trying to hide her face and not be seen by the boy she hated the most, Johnathan Scott.

“Who is he?” JJ said as soon as the word ‘boyfriend’ came out of her mouth. He quickly turned his head towards the group of people he had in front of him walking around and started to look around like he would be able to know who Max’s ex-boyfriend was.

“Doesn’t matter. Is this guy going to take any longer?” Max asked crossing her arms around her chest.

“I-I don’t know.” JJ shook his head. He was still looking around, something clicked inside of him by the idea of Max having an ex-boyfriend. “He should be here soo- Is he the one?” JJ pointed at a blonde guy that had glasses on.

Max turned around and she shook her head. “No.” JJ deep down wanted it to be that guy, because it weirdly looked like him. He thought that it was unintentional, but he knew what he was thinking and he couldn’t help it. “It’s him.” JJ quickly looked to where Max’s finger was pointing and he slowly nodded when his eyes found the mysterious ex-boyfriend.

Max let out a little sigh when she looked at Johnathan again. He was talking to some guys she had never seen before. He had his dark hair that she used to love so much, she would always say that he looked like young Leonardo DiCaprio with that haircut, and with that busting his stupid ego. His huge arm tattoo that made Max bit her lip everytime she would see him without a shirt, and his dark jeans with his white shirt. He had the perfect ‘bad boy’ look Max loved almost two years ago, he would easily have every single girl behind him, with that stupid smile and freckles, those green eyes and confidence, every girl loved him and they were extremely jealous of Max, but she was too blind to see it all, he was a work of art with an ugly heart. And Max soon find that out in the worst way possible.

“JJ?” A guy said next to Max and they both turned to him. “Here’s the kegger, man.”

“Finally!” Kie said when she saw Max and JJ get out of John B’s van with the kegger. “Where have you two been?”

“The guy showed up late.” JJ said and Max nodded before Kie started to talk about some thing with JJ, but Max wasn’t listening, she was too focus looking for her best friend.

“Max!” She heard Sam called her name and she smiled to herself. It was like they were connected and when they needed each other, the other one knew it. “You’ll never guess who I saw at beach today.”

“Johnathan?” Max said and Sam furrowed her eyebrows confused.

“Wow, you’re really good at this game.”

“No, I saw him when we picked the kegger.”

She shook her head disgusted and they both walked inside The Chateau. “Why did he came back?” She asked and Max shrugged her shoulders.

“Who came back?” Pope asked and Max noticed everyone was inside the living room.

“Max’s ex.” JJ said and everyone turned to him.

“You have an ex?” Kie asked. “You never told me.”

“Yeah, well... there’s not a lot of good things to say about him.” Max said and just shrugged her shoulders. She looked around and noticed everyone was confused and wanting to know more, but she added quickly. “Who’s ready for the kegger tonight?” She said with a big smile and everyone went back to what they were doing, but with a lot of questions on their minds.

Max was enjoying the loud music with a red solo cup on one hand, while holding Sam’s hand with the other one while dancing. The night was the perfect one for a party and Max couldn’t feel better, she noticed her drink was empty so she let go of Sam’s hand and walked to where the kegger was.

“A refill for the pretty lady?” JJ said once he saw Max in front of him.

“Are you drunk?” She asked pretending to be concerned.

“Why? I can’t call you pretty lady now? You don’t like princess, pretty lady, how am I going to call you?”

“How about... Max?” She said like it was the discovery of the mouth and JJ gave her a face laugh.

“You’re too funny.” He said and Max nodded.

“I know.” She handed JJ her red solo cup with a smile wich he took with a smirk.

“I love parties!” Sam appeared next to Max and let her arm go around her shoulders.

“I don’t think I’m the one that’s drunk tonight.” JJ said with a smile while looking at Sam. Max took her cup from JJ’s hand and the three of them walked to where the rest of the Pogues were.

Sarah was sitting on top of John B’s lap while Pope and Kie were talking about something. Sam sat down next to Kie and she let her head rest of Kie’s shoulders. Max let out a little smile but then furrowed her eyebrows confused. The question ‘what are this two up to?’ appeared on her mind, but when she looked up and her ex-boyfriend walked inside the beach, all those thoughts went away and she rolled her eyes once she sat down between JJ and Pope.

“What’s up?” Pope asked and Max just shrugged her shoulders.

“My ex is here... Fuck! This was a nice party.” She complained.

“What is the deal with this guy?” John B asked while looking around for Max’s ex.

She noticed and then pointed at Johnathan, who was talking to a couple of girls with his friends. “I dated him for almost a year, and... well, I found out he was cheating on me. With multiple girls... at the same time.”

“Uh, that escalated quickly.” Sarah said.

“What an asshole.” That was all JJ could say. All he wanted to do right on that moment was walk to him and punch him on the throat. His jaw was clenched while looking his way.

“Please, tell me you did something to him. You know, the Max way.” Kie said and Pope nodded.

“Yeah, I don’t usually approve the whole revenge thing, but he totally deserves it.” He said. Max was about to talk but Sam talked for her.

“She couldn’t. Remember how you spent an entire week on your bed? And when she was alright, he moved to the main land leaving his family behind.” Her drunk friend said and Max slowly nodded, trying to not kill Sam for her words.

“Thank you... for that, Sam.” She slowly said.

“Well, is never too late.” JJ said and Max turned to him but he wasn’t looking at her, he was looking to the sand while playing with some tiny rock he had on his hand.

“Nah, it’s not worth it. Fuck him. Besides, I’m on my own thing right now and as long as he stays away from me, we’re fine.” Max said but when she took a sip from her beer, a familiar voice spoke behind her.

“Max!”

“It’s like the universe heard what I just said and it responded with, ‘hey... fuck you’.” She said softly so Johnathan couldn’t hear her. Pope and JJ who were next to her, heard her and let out little laughs. She turned around after getting up and a huge fake smile appeared on her face. “Johnathan!”

“How have you been?” He said with the biggest and most confident smile ever. He walked closer to hug her and she awkwardly pat his back.

“I’ve been doing great.” She said dryly with the huge fake smile still on her face.

“You look good.” He said and Max bit her lower lip, trying to not yell at him to go fuck himself, she wasn’t up for the confrontation this night.

“Thaaanks.” She said. She didn’t noticed that the Pogues got up from where they were and walked behind Johnathan. Sam was pretending to punch him while Kie was laughing. Max was trying to let out a loud laugh. “Why-Why are you back?”

“Decided to visit some old friends and family, to be honest, missed the parties too, they don’t have them like this in the main land.” He said. “The pretty girls are here.” He looked Max up and down expecting for her to fall for him, but all she wanted to do was punch him on the face.

“Yeah, well, the pretty girls are over there so I don’t know what the fuck are you doing here.” She quickly said while pointing at the other side of the beach.

“You know, sometimes I think about us.” As soon as those words a loud laugh came out of her mouth. “Good times.”

“Good times?” She asked before letting another loud laugh. “Sure! Good times, before I found out you were cheating on me with multiple girls, the same night we said ‘I love you’ for the first time, sure! Good times.” She let out the biggest fake smile and then patted his arm, before starting to walk away.

“You know, you don’t have to play the victim.” He said and Max never turned her body as quickly as that time.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Max heard Sam said with Kie grabbed her arm once she started to walk towards Johnathan.

“Maybe you should control your drunk friend.” Johnathan said.

“Oh, she’s not the friend she should stop.” JJ was now in front of Max and he was starting to get angry. Max grabbed his arm and pulled him back. This was not his fight, it was hers, and she wanted him to know.

“Why don’t you just go because you know how things can get around her.” Max said at Johnathan, but he just let out a smile.

“I missed this about you.” He said and Max rolled her eyes.

“And I didn’t even missed your tiny dick so why don’t you just walk away, huh?” She said. Pope and John B opened their mouth surprised. JJ let out a tiny laugh while the girls where high fiving each other.

“Go to hell.” He said with an arrogant smile.

“Baby, I dated you, I already been to hell.” Max said without hesitation. “Let’s go.” She said to JJ, who was very close to her. She grabbed his arm making him turn around, they were all ready to leave the boy behind, but he spoke again.

“I guess that didn’t change about you, running away from your problems and never taking responsibility for them.” He said and Max stopped walking. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she could felt her anger growing inside her.

“I’m gonna kill him.” Sam said turning around.

“What does he mean?” Max heard JJ ask.

She grabbed her friend by the arm and stopped her. “You know what.” Max got closer to Johnathan and a then looked down. “You have something on your foot.” She said with a smile and pointing at them.

“What?” As soon as he looked down, she quickly walked closer to him and her foot with her thick boot was already going to his bare foot. He screamed in pain, Sarah covered her mouth surprised while Sam was, again, high fiving Kie. The boys let out loud and surprise laughs.

“Pain!” Max yelled to him which made a lot of eyes go to her, but she didn’t care, she was already walking away from the beach.

She was quickly walking followed by her friends. “That was badass!” Sarah said with a huge smile.

“That’s my best friend!” Sam let her arm go around Kie’s arm while Pope and John B were making fun of Johnathan’s high peak scream.

JJ was absolutely surprised at Max’s actions. A proudness feeling was growing inside of him and he was finally understanding that Max Belinsky, could definitely take care of herself.

“Max!” JJ said getting closer to her. She quickly turned around and she saw his big proud smile. “That was fucking awesome, dude.”

“I know you’re going to say yes.” She said pointing at him with heavy breathing.

“What?” He asked confused.

“Alright!” The alter ego of Max that loved the rush and would often get her in trouble woke up right on that moment. She caught the attention of the rest of the Pogues and everyone turned to her. “Who’s up for the famous ‘Max Way’ right now?” She said and a huge smile on Sam appeared on her face.

“She’s back.”

“Because that, right there,” she pointed back at the beach “was only level two of my bitchiness.” She said. “The real bitch is coming tonight.”

“That was only level two?!” Pope asked shook.

JJ let out the biggest smile. “I like this girl.” She pointed at Max and turned his head to his friends.

“I don’t know what is this, but I like it.” John B said with an approval nod.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this.” Sarah said after letting out a big breath when she felt her heart beating faster and her nerves going up.

“Should I be worried?” Pope asked concerned while Sam walked passed next him.

“Yep.” She said and everyone started to follow Max.

“Did you take the picture?” Max asked to Kie. She nodded and then handed her the phone. “Well, here folks, we have another ‘excuse’ if the police investigate us, people saw us at the party, we have this picture with the perfect time.”

“It’s like I’m watching how to get away with murderer.” Pope said shooked at Max’s words.

“Now what?” Sarah asked.

“Well...” Max said. “What’s the thing that boys appreciate the most?”

“Their dick?” Kie asked disgusted.

“Yeah. But I can’t cut his dick off-”

“That you know of.” Sam said and everyone turned to her surprised. Max just let out a little laugh and continued.

“Well, what’s the second thing some guys love the most...? Their cars. Jonathan left his old car at his parents once he left. It’s still there...”

“I love where this is going.” JJ said with a smile.

“Tell us what to do.” Sarah said excited and John B turned his head to her.

“Should I be worried that you’re so excited about this?” He asked but Sarah just left his side and walked closer to Max.

The day was beautiful. There were no clouds and the sun was the main character that morning. Max felt her skin slightly burn while she was walking to the dock Pope said everyone to meet the night before. She had a smile on her face and when she saw her friends getting the HSM Pogue ready, her smile went even bigger.

“Top of the morning to ya’” JJ said while he watched Max her closer to them.

“Mornin’” Kie said with a smile to Max and she winked at her.

“I’m so ready to be out on the water.” Pope said excited. “I’ve worked non stop this week.”

“The Pogue life, my friend.” Max patted Pope’s shoulder.

Once everything was ready and the Pogues were inside the HSM Pogue, John B got the boat started and he slowly moved away from the dock. Max grabbed a beer and sat down next to Sam, she let her arm go around her friend’s shoulder and they both smiled to each other remembering the night before.

“Hey! Belinsky!” Max heard on dock with a megaphone. She furrowed her eyebrows confused and turned around to find Officer Presley next to Johnathan on the end of the dock. She tried to hold on a laughter when she saw how mad her ex-boyfriend was.

“What?!” She yelled so Presley could hear her. JJ got up and stood there next to her.

“Tell the fucking truth about my car!” Johnathan yell and Max looked at JJ pretending to be confused.

“What?! I have no idea what you’re talking about!” Max felt Pope getting nervous around her. Sam was calmly drinking her beer while Kie and Sarah were carefully listening to the conversation.

“I know you did it! You popped my tires!” He said angrily and Max quickly shook her head.

“Dude! I didn’t do anything. Besides, whoever did it maybe thinks that you’re an asshole and you totally deserve it! And I agree!” Max yell and she then turned her head to Presley. “How are you Jennifer? Having a good day?” She waved at her with a smile but Presley just sighed.

“Officer! Do something!” Johnathan said annoyed but Presley shook her head.

“There’s no proof that she did it, we have nothing on her. This is just a prank from some kids Mr. Scott.” Presley said.

“Huh? There’s no proof against me or my friends? Yeah, that’s what I though!” Max nodded with a smile while Presley turned around and started to walk away.

“You bitch!” Johnathan said angrily and Max touched her chest surprised.

“Aw! Thank you! That’s a huge compliment!” She gave him the biggest smile. “Have a nice day!” She said and John B drove the boat far away form the dock.

“I’ve never seen someone don’t get any nervous when they are interrogated by the police.” Pope said and Max nodded proud of herself.

“Oh, that was nothing. I’ve been in worst.”

“Hey! What about me?” JJ complained. “I’m pretty good at it too, dude!”

“Can’t believe you’re arguing over who is better with handleling the police.” Kie said before letting out a little laugh.

After talking some more about who was better, the conversation turned into who would be better at surviving a zombie apocalypse after Pope started to name the things he thought he wouldn’t survive.

Max sat down with a beer on her hand and seconds later she had JJ sitting next to her with his arm around her shoulders. “I’m so proud of you.” He said with the biggest smile.

“Well, thank you, thank you very much.”

“I have to say, we could learn a lot from each other.” He said and Max lifted her eyebrow. “You know, you can teach me how you do your stuff and I tell you how I do mine.”

“Please, tell me we’re talking about our plans.” Max said quickly with a disgust face.

“I mean” JJ shrugged his shoulders. “What do you want it to be?”

“Oh god.” She said. “You’re never going to change are you?”

“You’re the one who brought it up and thought I was talking about that!” He defended himself. “You’re the one with the dirty mind.”

“Yeah, sure.” Max said sarcastically before taking a sip from her beer. “I do know that you have to learn a lot from the master.”

“You’re the master?” JJ asked.

“After all, I won you that night at the Kook’s party.” She nodded and JJ let out a little sigh.

“I figured that was going to come back.”

“Oh, I’m never going to let it go. We’re going to be old dudes and I’m going to call you every Sunday to remind you. It’s decided.” Max nodded.

“I’ll be waiting for it, princess.”

“Punching bag.” She said trying to sound annoyed but a little smile escaped her mouth.

“Well, I’m really proud of my fake girlfriend. That’s all I wan-” JJ was saying but was cut off by John B and Pope screaming at the same time.

“Fake girlfriend?!”

“What?!” Sam asked confused.

“We-we need to talk about how that happend.” Kie said and Sarah nodded next to her before getting comfortable and waiting for Max and JJ to talk.

“I’m going to kill you JJ.” Max said.

“I don’t know.” JJ lifted his hand into the air. “All I know, is that Max... can’t take her hands off me.” He said and Sam almost spit the beer she had on the mouth.

“JJ!” Max slapped herself.

“Wha- how- I’m so confused.” Pope said trying to connect his thoughts.

“C’mon, we all knew that one day those two were going to end up doing something like that.” Sarah said and Max quickly looked at her.

“Huh?” She said. JJ turned to her with a smirk on his face and she wanted to punch him so bad on that moment.

“Well, you better tell the story or everyone is going to think that we had s-”

“It happened the day after Pope got hurt.” Max started to tell the story and rolled her eyes once JJ got closer to Max and a huge proud smile appeared on his face. “I hate you...”

“I know you deep down love me. But please, continue with the story. We all want to hear you tell it.” He said and Max rolled her eyes, before continuing with the story.

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[scoutkln]

planning something diabolical

[jo-shanerome18]

Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo & Trastevere

14/05/2018: Today was a big day. Firstly, a trip to the Vatican to look around the Vatican Museums, something to fill in the middle of the day and then to the Trastevere for an evening food tour.

We made our way there by way of a couple of taxis, asking for Viale Vaticano and to be dropped off at Caffee Vaticano, straight across the road from the entrance to Musei Vaticani, the Vatican Museums. Waiting with the rest of the tourists on the steps at the end of via Tunisi and leading up to the Vatican from via Sebastiano Veniero, progress was made once everyone was identified and we were allocated our guide. As with the last time, although we did queue up in the Skip the Line line, we passed most of the people outside and went straight in, through the security and into the foyer of the museum.

Vatican Museum entrance

Making sure the ear plugs work

Unlike our last visit, this time our guide took us to the Cortile della Pinacoteca only to overlook the Giardino Quadrato rather than be part of it. Focus then quickly shifted to the Museo Pio-Clementino which was founded by a couple of popes from which it received its name, Pope Pius VI and Pope Clemente XIV. It held several galleries including Sala a Croce Greca and  the porphyry Sarcophagi of Helena and Constantina.

The red porphyry Sarcophagus of Costantia held the remains of the daughter of the Emperor Constantine the Great. A similar sarcophagus nearby once held the remains of her grandmother, Helena

Next stop was to check out the Flemish tapestries displayed within Galleria degli Arazzi. They were in pretty good nick, not sure if they were faded or not. One would think so if they were first displayed in the Sistine Capel during the first half of the fifteen hundreds.

Taxi!!!

From the tapestries to the maps. With both being in hallways, the only complaint would be that no one could get back far enough to appreciate the works from a distance. The Galleria delle Carte Geografiche was as before, excellent. Possible one of the best displays in the whole joint.

Old Italy, one of forty geographical maps painted on the walls depicting Italian regions and the possessions of the Church at the time of Pope Gregory XIII

By ten we were well into the museum thing and well into the  Stanze di Raffaello including Sala Sobieski e dell'Immacolata and stanza dell incendio di borgo. We had to move on though. The Sistine lay ahead.

She was Raphael'd out

One more room to go, the Sistine Chapel. But no, there was one before that, a contemporary display of more recent artists. They were long since gone but not as long gone as most in there. The small rooms contained the likes of Rodin, Morlotti, Van Gogh and Salvador Dali amongst other Spanish displays.

Franco Gentilini: Cattedrale con natura morta e cane

Unless one wants to clinically identify all the stories within the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it doesn't take too long to check out. As magnificent as what it was, ten minutes pulled the place up. We all walked into the room and were immediately under the watchful gaze of the Noise Nazis. There were people everywhere which made it doubly uncomfortable. Wandering around like Brown's cows, our necks cranked upward, it was not hard to appreciate the beauty of the artwork, the striking scenes and stories, the complicated layout and above all, the tremendous feat Michelangelo managed in laying on his back for so long to get it all done. The room morphed from silence to rowdiness and back to silence depending on the frequency of the "shooshes" from the Noise Nazis as well as the constant bellowing of "No Photos", "No Photos". Stuff 'em. Typical Vatican, only allowing photographs of what they say. We got a few good ones in though.

Sneaky one in the Sistine Chapel. Scenes from the bottom up, the Separation of Land and Water, Creation of Adam, Creation of Eve, the Fall of Man and the Sacrifice of Noah

A sea of admirers continually flowed in and subsequently out of the Sistine Chapel, mostly shoulder to shoulder for the duration of their visit. The few minutes spent inside were both congested and claustrophobic and as such, we joined in the outflow and rode the wave, past Scala Regio, down the ramp and into the courtyard, Cortile San Gregorio l'Illuminatore below. It was time for a short break. People could refill their water bottles with Holy Water from the fountain in the courtyard while the guide advised everyone of what was on offer around the area. Tickets to the top of the dome, the elevator if one was too lazy to climb the stairs and the gift shop.  The next stage was to enter the Basilica so if anyone wanted to avail themselves of what was on offer in the courtyard they would have to return later. It was time to press on.

Looking down Scala Regia. The Bernini equestrian statue, Vision of Constantine was somewhere down there

Before long we were in the portico at the front of Saint Peter's Basilica and confronted by several doors which in at some point of time or for some reason allowed access to the Basilica. The first of five doors was the Holy Door, so named as it only opens during Holy Years which are twenty five years apart. Not only is it closed but bricked in so it cannot be opened inadvertently. The second was the Door of Sacraments, the one which allowed entry once through security. While queueing there was plenty of time to check out the oldest door from the early to mid fourteen hundreds. The Filarete Door was in the centre, showing six panels of religious stuff like Saint Paul losing his head and such, next to it was the Door of Good and Evil with each doors' panels showing as much and to the extreme left, the Door of Death which was the exit for funeral processions and the door where we would later leave the Basilica. Yes, we would be leaving via Death's Door.

On the first day of a Holy Year, the Pope strikes the brick wall with a silver hammer and opens the Holy Door to the pilgrims.

The first stop inside, and a very popular one, was the Pieta, one of the great religious works carved by Michelangelo over five hundred years ago, depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ after he was released from the cross. An equally interesting spot was further down the front, past many other treasures to near the altar. As far as Shane was concerned, an equally interesting spot was right down the front where Ewan McGregor self combusted at some stage in some famous Tom Hanks movie. It was a no go area though.

The Pieta, the only signed sculpture by Michelangelo. Not unlike Palestrina Pietà in Florence. Now behind glass due to some nutter taking to it with a hammer years earlier

Old mummified pope

Following the guide around the place, we ended up almost where we started, suggesting the tour was finished, but there was one more treat for us. She talked to someone in the know and ended up leading us down a tight staircase to an area within the foundations of the joint and to where many former popes were buried. We were warned that within this area no photos were permitted so we obliged by only taking a few.

Tomb of Benedict XV, Giacomo Della Chiesa, from Genova

Upon leaving through Death's Door, we hooked a right and checked out the shenanigans of the Swiss Guard. This dedicated and deadly security force that is charged with protecting the Pope could easily be underestimated given their clown suit outfits. But don't be fooled. The Swiss Guards have been the "Defenders of the Church's freedom" ever since a hundered and fifty of them passed through the Porta del Popolo and entered for the first time the Vatican, where they were blessed by Pope Julius II. It was right on twelve so the changing of the guard was underway. That was it. Tour over.

Changing of the Swiss Guard. Defenders of the Church's freedom

Upon exiting Piazza San Pietro and  keeping to the southern colonnade, we walked along via della Conciliazione and sat down at the entrance to Parco della Mole Adriana. Once the women caught up, Cecilia was thinking of her stomach again and insisted on finding a restaurant somewhere to eat. Shane and the boys chose a panini from Gastronomia,  a food van parked nearby. For a few euro instead of many they were fed, and within a few minutes instead of many. With the time saved they joined the short queue for Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian come fortress come Papal apartments. Jo and Cec looked for lunch.

Mausoleum Hadriani was built between 128 and 139 by Hadrian for Hadrian, his adopted kids and their adopted kids. Up until the rule of Emperor Nerva, Roman emperors' ashes were all put inside the Mausoleum of Augustus but the monument filled up. With no room left he had no choice but to build his own, not as big as Augustus's though. Cassius Dio wrote, "He had lived sixty-two years, five months and nineteen days, and had been emperor twenty years and eleven months. He was buried near the river itself, close to the Aelian bridge; for it was there that he had prepared his tomb, since the tomb of Augustus was full, and from this time no body was deposited in it." Nerva's successor, Trajan, was buried under his column in Forum Traiani leaving Hadrian out on a limb. Hadrian died  in 138 leaving it up to his adoptive soon Antoninus Pius to finish the job.

One hundred and thirty years later the mausoleum was incorporated into Rome's Muri Aureliani, the defensive walls begun by Emperor Aurelian and converted to a fortress, protecting Hadrian's ashes and his descendants until the Visgoths and King Alaric sacked the joint in 410, thereby seeding Rome's demise over the coming decades. Hieronymus, commonly referred to as Saint Jerome, in a letter to Principia wrote, "My voice sticks in my throat; and, as I dictate, sobs choke my utterance. The city which had taken the whole world was itself taken."

Hadrian's Mausoleum come papal residence

As the boys paid and moved into Ambulacro di Bonifacio IX,  an annular corridor of darkened walkways encircling the main structure within and bounded by the protective rectangular walls, founded on the original square base of the mausoleum, fragments of ancient statues lined the path which eventually led to the diametral ramp. This passageway was cut through the monument as part of the fortifications but halfway up was a substantial chasm based with earth and rubble, originally the sepulchral cell below. A nineteenth century iron bridge now breaches the gap, replacing the long gone drawbridge constructed almost five hundred years earlier.  

They had reached the second level of seven and at the rear of the structure, walking along the ramparts that linked all four bastions, and the first stop was to look around the area from above, passing a sentry box attached to what was said to be the armoury, a building modified by Pope Clement X Altieri during the late sixteen hundreds. The armoury at the top, prisons in the centre and powder deposits at ground level (could have been trouble if the prisoners escaped), all located adjacent to Bastione San Luca , at the northeast corner of the castle.

Armoury of Clement X. Notice the curvilinear tympanum and two lateral volutes above  

Moving back toward the Tiber, the next bastion, Bastione San Giovanni was the next of the polygonal bulwarks, within which the gunboats were located. This one also had a small representation of a sixteenth-century gunsmith's workshop.

Ponte Sant'Angelo from Bastione San Giovanni

A small section of the "march ronda". The marching rounds refer to the walkway around the top of the walls that link the bastions where sentinels would march and lookout while on duty. Suppose they were continually marching around

Cordonata of Paul III, leading up to Level 3. Busts of Hadrian and a togate in the niches halfway down

Level three contained the historical prisons. Three to be exact and were effectively built underground as the only light came from an opening to the level above.  One of the cells hosted the celebrated Renaissance sculptor and goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini (remember Perseus with the Head of Medusa in Loggia dei Lanzi). He was a passionate craftsman, draftsman, soldier, musician, artist, poet and braggart. You name it he was good at it. He was also good at doing time, repeatedly prosecuted for sodomy, theft, and murder. He done time here for about a year and escaped after getting wind of the pope going to lop off his head for one of his crimes. The pope put it off though due to Corpus Domini in 1538. Getting wind of what was about to happen, he escaped with outside help but was recaptured and relocated in a more secure area, a cell and large cistern for water. Complaining of the tarantulas, poisonous worms and also of the fact that there was "a lot of water " must have done some good as he died many years later in Florence.

Sunlight from Cortile d'Onore above

The next level consisted of courtyards and linkages to the papal apartments. Cortile d'Onore was the first one that was visited, dominated by a marble and bronze statue of Saint Michael the Archangel after whom the castle was dedicated. This courtyard was bounded by the armoury to the outside and the rooms of the papal residence behind Saint Michael. On the other side of the papal rooms, the Courtyard of Alexander VI joined the off limits Courtyard of Pope Leo X.

A weather worn Saint Michael the Archangel. It sat atop the fortress until 1747 after exposure to the elements got the better of it

Overlooking Bastione San Matteo and the Tiber

It was then up to the Giretto of Alessandro VII, a walk around the periphery and above Cortile d'Onore. There were several places of interest there. Firstly the Armoury, consisting of four rooms which had displays of military uniforms, weapons, armour and other military memorabilia and secondly the café where we could have a rest and have a beer. The terrace café was quite popular with most tables for more than two taken. There was an impressive view across the city available from several tables as well but the stiff cold breeze explained why. A table was bagsed out of the wind and  a reintroduction to Saint Stephanus was made. Not since Caffé Pitti all those days ago in Florence did the two meet.

Rest time at Caffetteria Ristorante Le Terrazze Castel Sant’Angelo

Meanwhile, not impressed with just a panini, Cecilia took Jo and went in search of "proper" food, heading off through some alley ways where they finally settled in at the little café, Panico Ristorante Pizzeria just across the Tiber. Cec could now have what she had been yearning for ages, an authentic Italian pineapple pizza.

Mmmm….. She finally got her pineapple pizza

When the breeze was braved the Roman roofscape was on offer. Looking out the embrasures allowed a view of Bastione San Marco and the Passetto di Borgo, the protected walkway that shielded the Pope as he made his way between the Vatican, some eight hundred metres to the west and Castel Sant'Angelo. It paid for itself in spades during the Sack of Rome of 1527 when Pope Clement VII Medici and his entourage fled to the safety of the fortress through Passetto di Borgo while the remnants of a massacred Swiss Guard Unit held off the attacking Habsburg soldiers of Emperor Charles V. The rest is history.

Bastione San Marco and the Passetto di Borgo leading off to the Vatican

After the break the men pressed on to the papal accommodation and associated rooms. Keeping to Giretto of Alessandro VII and moving clockwise, they found themselves within Loggia di Paolo III, built during the mid fifteen hundreds and overlooking the area to the north and west. Overlooking Prati and out to Monte Mario, and over towards the Vatican area. Adjacent to the loggia was the entrance to the private apartments of Paolo III Farnese.

Welcome to the mad house. Door to the Pope's pad

Over the threshold, a right turn, and they were in what was once one of the most protected areas in the fortress, Sala della Biblioteca and Sala del Tesoro where the Archives of the Papal States and the Secret Archive and other documents were stored as well as the treasury and other precious objects.  Sala del Tesoro was a round room utilising the original roman central tower of the mausoleum, secured by two closed doors and only opened with keys held by the Pope's Secret Treasurer and the Cardinal Dean.

Sala del Tesoro. The "treasure" was held in the large iron treasure chest, only accessible through the opening of six locks. The keys entrusted to different people

The seventh and last level consisted of a couple of small rooms, one of which contained some sort of modern type art. Sala Rotonda was located directly above Sala del Tesoro and was created by building a floor to separate it from the room below. Originally a chapel, around sixteen hundred it was utilised for storage of the secret papal archives that the Sala del Tesoro couldn't handle. These documents took the name of the "Old Archive".  Sala delle Colonne was built in the mid seventeen hundreds to house the "New Archive".  Two smaller adjoining rooms, Saletta dei Labari dei reparti d’assalto and Sala degli Stendardi della Cavalleria were decorated in patriotic war themes, after World War I and intended to hold Italian war relics.

Sala degli Stendardi della Cavalleria, horse head ceiling decorations

They were finally at the top of the fortress, overlooked only by the Statua di San Michele Arcangelo perched on high, sword drawn from his sheath as if protecting all from those who would dare to strike. The archangel also overlooked the terrace that had been the scene of the Girandole, the fireworks that, for hundreds of years marked pontifical elections and religious or city celebrations (after ensuring that the shutters on the Sala Rotonda windows were well shut). The terrace also provided a beautiful view of the surrounding city, from the Vatican Museum to the west, across the Tiber and to the Mausoleum of Augustus to the east. After some time enjoying the scenery, it was time to move back down to pick up what they missed on the way up.

Terrazzo dell'Angelo. Archangel Saint Michael has been overlooking the terrace for nearly 270 years

Basilica di San Pietro from Terrazzo dell'Angelo

Retracing their steps somewhat, dropping a couple of levels and moving counter clockwise through  the Revolution and rooms of Pius IV, they moved through the Giretto displaying Hadrianic fragments from the original mausoleum and to where they were a bit earlier, the Loggia di Paolo III.  A set of stairs leading to Cortile di Alessandro VI in turn led to   impressive papal rooms including Sala Paolina, Sala del Perseo and the Sala di Amore e Psiche, culminating in a  collection of arms at the Armerie and the Sale di Clemente VIII.

Big weapon

Sale di Clemente VIII and the monumental fireplace decorated with the heraldry of the Barberini, family of Pope Urban VIII. The doors either side came along a bit later

That was it. Exiting through Sala di Apollo, the exit was made via Rampa elicoidale to the Dromos e Atrium. The helical ramp, built around the time of Trajan and Hadrian and significant with the funeral procession and the emperor's last journey, was sealed during the sixth century for defensive reasons. It wasn't dug up again until the early eighteen hundreds.

The helical ramp leading out

The ramp ended out onto the street to some extent, so heading back down through more tunnels and walkways to a section that would have been below water when a moat existed, remnants of the fortresses past with architectural bits and pieces positioned in rooms and in varying stages of decay appeared. The rooms also had scale models of the fortress depicting the different constructions over the centuries. This display should have been in a more prominent place.  The end was nigh, everyone exiting Castel Sant'Angelo very satisfied with the effort. This place was money well spent.

Model of the castle

By mid afternoon it was time to return to the apartment via  Piazza Navona and the  Temple of the Nymphs along  via delle Botteghe Oscure. Upon arrival, energy was being expended on washing clothes. Jo and Cec had had their afternoon nap, were catching up on some chores and preparing for the soon to be, Trastevere Food Tour.

Shortly before six, we jumped into a cab and were duly dropped off across the Tiber from Piazza di San Bartolomeo all'Isola, the meeting place and where the tour would commence. It was a little after six when we headed off to the first restaurant due to one couple being a few minutes late. There were the five of us, two other Aussies and four Yanks.

Crossing the Tiber again, our group were taken through a few side streets until we were in Via dei Vascellari and shortly after outside of Da Enzo Trattoria. From the roadway we were given a piece of advice. We were eating before the evening rush hours of the restaurant as later on it was so popular that it was always booked out, and as such there was plenty of room so we were shown inside and introduced to the owner (or just the waiter). The two courses that stood out was the Carciofi alla Giudia (fried artichoke) which had the centre removed and deep fried, positioned upside down in the middle of the plate and covered in a sprinkling of olive oil, salt and pepper. An apt choice given that the meal is Jewish in origin and we were in the Jewish Quarter. The other was a delicious serving of Burrata cheese, served as a ball of what looked like runny, lumpy yoghurt covered in a mozzarella skin. We could have had more of that.

Da Enzo on Via dei Vascellari

Next was a trip through the narrow streets to Restaurante Spirito di Vino a short distance away. The front door was on Via dei Genovesi where we entered the last time but this time went through a side entrance from a side lane, Vicolo dell'Atleta. This took us straight down the stairs to the basement to sample some wines and morsels. The building itself was extremely old but where we were served, cavernous ancient cellars were B.C. type old. The room was quite dark with wine racks covering some of the walls, bottles covered in a healthy layer of dust. The mood wasn't dark though, everyone loved it.

Restaurante Spirito di Vino side entrance

Ancient cellars of Spirito di Vino

Cheers, big ears

After the experience at Restaurante Spirito di Vino and on the way to the biscuit shop, the guide pointed out a distant Santa Cecilia. Declaring her interest, Cec suggested that we drop in their in the coming days for a look. After all she was named after Saint Cecilia. Years ago Cecilia's mother had piano lessons as a young girl, taught by the nuns at the convent. She hated the lessons but loved the paintings of Saint Cecilia that hung on the wall near the piano.

The biscuit shop, Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti was on Via della Luce.

We were sat down here and given samples of their produce. The Brutto ma Buono (translation-ugly but good) made from sugar, egg whites and nuts was particularly nice so we took a bagful with us.

Then given the opportunity to work off the biscuits with the hike to the next place, we moseyed onto the delicatessen, Antica Norcineria Iacozzilli, porchetta being their specialty. The slow roasted  pork was nice and juicy within and crispy without. Three generations have made it so.

Antica Norcineria Iacozzilli

Waiting for the porchetta

Then the hole in the wall on Via di San Francesco a Ripa. The I Suppli sell takeaway suppli only. Once you buy the risotto, marinara and mozzarella egg shaped rice balls, take them outside and eat on the footpath. As we did.

Rice ball heaven

Another long walk then ensued, onto  Casa Mia in Via della Renella. Our guide stopped for a while at a church in Piazza di Santa Maria called Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. This place, we were told held the head of Saint Apollonia, the Patron Saint of dentistry who had her teeth smashed in by an unruly mob some time back. They then built a fire to burn her but she jumped in before they had the pleasure of throwing her in. Bits of her are all over the place in European churches.

Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere holds the head (probably toothless) of Saint Apollonia as well as a couple of holy men. Pope Callixtus I and Lorenzo Cardinal Campeggio

Then to Casa Mia on Via della Renella.

Plenty of pasta and plenty of wine was consumed here

The conversation must have been a bit boring. For Jo anyway

To finish off, it was back across town to Fatamorgana ice cream shop on Via Roma Libera. The gelato here wasn't the fluffy stuff in the tourist areas. It was fair dinkum gelato, characteristic of the natural colouring that would be expected if nothing artificial were added (we eat all types).

With gelato gone, we said our goodbyes to the other foody tourists and headed to the nearby taxi rank. Tomorrow, Cec and the boys are booked into the Coliseum. Jo and Shane will tackle Forum Romanum.

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Italy trip - Day 4 (Sept 16th 2017)

A.K.A “Rik’s Birthday”. A.K.A. “Still in Rome”. A.K.A. “Drankin’ at the Vatican”.

We decided to head back to the Vatican but with attire more fit for the pope....and GREAT SUCCESS! We managed to get in this time! 

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(The selfie I sent my sister to notify her that I had gained entrance to potentially see the “pope-ah” after she told me not to dress like a whore this time)

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As it turns out, it wasn’t actually as strict as they led on. That being said, it was likely a good idea that I packed my rain parka as it’s likely I would’ve been told off for exposed shoulders (as I was wearing a sleeveless sun dress). My rookie mistake was that it was humid as hell and I chose to wear the wind-breaker the whole time inside just in case and ended up sweltering. It seemed as though we only needed to adhere to the dress code when inside the Sistine Chapel itself, so I baked a LOT longer than required.

Before getting inside, we had to queue for what the tour-terrorists claimed would be “2 hours mimimum, easily” (which actually translates to just over an hour). Thankfully, this was mainly in the shade and there were railings that we could sit/lean on. There were choirs in the queue as well harmonising and that made it move quite quickly. Before we knew it, we were at the door heading in. I would definitely say that saving the extra money to not “skip the line” paid off.

Even though I’m not religious, the buildings we walked through in the Vatican were truly a sight to behold as they were just filled to the brim with gorgeous works of art. Every room was nearly covered from floor to ceiling with paintings. The canvases and tapestries could get as big as the full height of the wall in some locations. 

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(Tell me that’s not huge!)

(I’m not sure I could tell you anywhere else in the world with such intricate ceilings throughout...)

(These banged up angels from a banged up angle were one of my favourites.)

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The Sistine Chapel itself was incredible and it was a totally surreal moment to see The Creation of Adam right there above my head. I can’t even tell you the amount of times I have laughed while re-creating some version of this iconic painting. I literally just did it last night with my dog, no joke. Something I almost never thought I’d get to see in person (and very nearly didn’t as we were debating if it was something we should do) so, yet again, another thing I can excitedly tick off my bucket list. There were designated guards in some of the room - especially in the Sistine Chapel itself - who’s job was to keep the peace and quiet and stop anybody trying to snap pictures. There was constant “shoosh”-ing (where it got so irritating I just joined in for the hell of it because it’s slightly less annoying when you participate) by the guards and visitors. You just had to laugh. Rik managed to take a stealth photo (which I won’t share here as I’m sure there is some way I could get in trouble and I’m not going down for his crimes LOL).

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(I won’t share the quick snap of The Creation of Adam, but I will share this iconic Michelangelo)

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I think we made it through, start to finish - just in time as when we were leaving, the entrance was shut and it seemed like they were prepping the exit for closure as well. We paid an extortionate amount for Peronis sold by some street vendor just so we could enjoy drinking it on the steps of the Vatican exit just because. You know what they say: When in Rome! Literally! (As you can imagine, I made sure to run this saying right into the ground on our 4 days in Rome, because well, WHEN IN ROME!). My mother would have probably killed me (and you can be sure as shit I didn’t actively send any photos to my mom of that one!) but it seemed necessary and felt right.

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(Pics or GTFO - as they say)

(Group shot - sorry mom! No regrets.)

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We headed back to the flat to freshen up but swung by a market/bakery first. This is worth noting only because the cannoli mentioned in the last post was actually outdone by the one I got here. It was smaller but cheaper (1€) and had mini chocolate chips in it instead of pistacchios. 

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(If that doesn’t make you drool, I’m questioning who you are as a human being. Just sayin’.)

(The Cannoli in question.)

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Picking a restaurant for Rik’s birthday dinner proved to be a challenge as all the places we looked at that appealed to us were either really expensive or were booked solid with no space at all to fit all 5 of us in. We didn’t want to have too late of a night because we were due a 3 hour bus trip to Florence tomorrow (with the bus leaving just after 10).

We did end up back at The Hole for pre-drinks and ate at the trattoria literally right across from it. The food was so good, Rik still talks about it to this day....although that might also be because we engorged ourselves so much (all of us) that we felt physically ill from how stuffed we were. It was totally worth it though. Our amazing and hilarious waiter selected starters for us and I ended up getting rigatoni with a cream red pepper sauce for my main. The portions were HUGE. They weren’t allowed to sing Happy Birthday to Rik because of the manager’s rule but he snuck us a cheeky candle out with some tiramisu (that was clearly fresh because you could taste the fresh, warm espresso at the bottom). 

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(This picture doesn’t even remotely convey how huge that plate of pasta was. I literally shamed everybody else into finishing theirs as well. If we ate any more, we might have exploded for real...)

(Birthday-misu!)

(Group shot with our waiter. Not a clue what his name was as we never really had a chance to  ask, but he was honestly the coolest and funniest waiter I may have ever had. It was an absolute pleasure dining with him and I would certainly go back again if I ever found myself back in Rome.)

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While the boys paid up, I snuck back over to the Hole for one last “farewell Roma” cocktail and limoncello shot and then went back to find them. They wanted to go seek out a rock bar for a few more drinks but I knew we’d be up early so headed home as I didn’t want to stay out and feel terrible (also, I definitely needed the bathroom so Rik, being the absolute legend I’ve already told you he is, covered for me so I could sneak away while the rest went on without me as they didn’t initially want to leave me behind). They didn’t stay out very long, but Rik did stall them as long as he could. This is why I married this man (or at least one reason). No shame.

It was nice as I got a chance to speak to my parents quickly and then put the Road to El Dorado on on Netflix via our tablet and nodded off at some point.

To End this post, here are some slightly tipsy selfies with myself and the birthday boy. He doesn’t usually put on a smile when I force him into taking selfies....Enjoy LOL:

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TBC...(with a trek to Florence)

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popee doodles plus tiny kedamono and papi

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panel redraw!

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big mood