Rambling around Rome

I have been to Rome as my daughter is getting married there later this year. The wedding venue is stunning. There were lemon and Seville orange trees in the grounds.

Fresh lemons

Wrinkled Seville oranges

Cacti are growing wild even in January.

Look but don't touch

Here are some of the famous buildings in Rome.

The Colosseum

Stunning architecture

How many columns can you see?

The grandeur of Rome

I love this building

Friends Romans and countrymen

Italy is famous for its pizza and pasta.

Large or small we have them all

 This was part of Fortnum and Mason's display in Heathrow airport.

Fruity

At last the days are lengthening. This is the telescope at Jodrell Bank.

Is there anyone out out there Mr Tom

 The first snowdrops have appeared.

Always the first sign of Spring

Catkins dangling along the river bank.

Ropes of gold

We have had some dramatic skies.

Such movement and flow

As the sun is going down

Captivating Como

For the last 10 days I have been on holiday in Italy. It is a beautiful country and I spent the first part of my holiday at Varenna recognised as the prettiest village on Lake Como. Lake Como is stunning, dotted with villas along the lakeside and also up the hillside. The weather was very warm so the lake water was a beautiful sky blue.

Views of the Lake.

There are many boats that offer trips to the villages around the Lake

Blue water and wooded hills, natural beauty

Looking down the lake beyond Varenna from Castello di Vezio

Varenna

Morning mist

Looking along the lake from Castello di Vezio

An agave growing in the garden at the Villa Monastero in Varenna. It is strange to see cactus growing outdoors.

Not a touchy feely plant

Fruit ripens on the orange trees in the hot sunshine.

Fresh oranges

The grapefruit need more sun to turn them yellow.

Bring me sunshine

This strange fungus was on the path as we walked around the gardens. 

It almost looks like a door knob

At Lenno we visited Villa del Balbianello previously owned by the entrepreneur and explorer Guido Monzino who bequeathed the house and contents to the FAI Foundation. The villa rises up on a promontory of the lake and it is the only villa where you can view the lake from three sides. The house and gardens are wonderful.

Amazing

A pretty butterfly found on our walk in the gardens.

Only tiny but very attractive

The Villa Carlotta is regarded as the prettiest villa on the Lake.

Look at the proportions of the villa complete with grand entrance steps and a clock on the roof

In the grounds of the Villa Melzi at Bellagio is a beautiful blue pavilion with stunning views looking up and down the lake.

I could have sat here all day watching the world go by

Como is situated at the end of the lake and is very attractive. 

The Duomo in Como

I saw this toy racing car in a shop in Como.

Brum, brum

A beautiful sunset over the lake seen from our hotel balcony.

Stunning