Rome Travel Made Easy

I've gone from this Morning of staring at St Peters Basilica to the services at a Newport Pagnall to vacuuming the house and all that entails from being on holiday but I've relaxed on holiday and despite me posting honestly I've been less active on social media. You see life isn't about the likes on social media it's the here and now and appreciating what you've got.

The end of holidays are always a shock you hold on to every scrap of memories from your holiday.

You battle through with a delinquent tea that quite frankly tastes of sorrow but people watching is a free alternative to the airport lounge. Normally you'd find me ( us the family in the airport lounge ) but we didn't do this on the flight out not coming back as Heathrow Terminal 5 is actually ok ( I always love going from Heathrow) And Fiumenco airport is pretty cool to as airport s go !

Did you know that this holiday I've walked the equivalent of two whole marathons in 37 c heat with added humidity on top ! One day it was even 42 c ( the day I got a bit of heatstroke) 

I've never walked so far in my life sightseeing and soaking up the culture! so when you are walking around Rome do make sure you have comfortable airy shoes  I did wear my walking shoes one day with comfortable insoles but then just wore my Fit flops after that.

They say Rome wasn't built in a day but it has certainly given me a kickstart in the fitness steaks.  . (Oooooh steak )

Of course when in Rome you eat as the Italians do 

When coming to Rome do pack an empty water bottle as there as so many water fountains around Rome where you can fill your water bottle up for free don't buy from people flagging water in the street for one Euro, buy water from supermarkets when you need to.

Public transport is easy and cheap in Rome you can either take the Metro or bus we used the public where I have to say you can't be shy about your personal space !

Personally I don't think you really need to take a bus tour in Rome but you could do if you're short of time.Once you've taken the bus or Metro it is really easy to walk to your chosen destination such as the Trevi fountain, Vatican City and so forth.

Review Of The Joseph Joseph Titan Trash Compactor

It's judgement day in the T household ..

I walked in the kitchen and the cat was straight out other family members had been in and out the kitchen and the cat had not shifted out its cat bunk basket ( he has a choice of top or bottom basket) I'm beginning to think that this is personal as the cat keeps doing this to me and only me was it because I left Classic FM on one day when Aled Jones was on ~ who knows but certainly it's a Scooby Doo style mystery.

I judged my old bin unworthy and sent it to the wall of shame outside ready for scrapping , and wham bam thank you Joseph Joseph a shiny Titan  Compactor in its place a beautiful rectangular bin that has a special stainless steel coating that won't show up finger prints or paw prints. The new Titan Compactor bin is no wider that the circular bin that I was previously using. And being rectangular it will fit up nicely up against a wall or my case the cats bunk bed basket and luckily for cat that there is a replaceable carbon odour filter integrated into the underside of the lid to help reduce any unpleasant smells.Fot best performance it is recommended that you replace the carbon odour filter every 3 months. This is going to save a fortune in air freshener s ~ no more cat food packaging smells.

The bin liners that come with the Titan Compactor are custom designed especially to fit the Titans 30 litre capacity. The Titan is a bit like Doctor Who's Tardis because it's actually bigger in the inside that the outside ~ intrigued well because the bin has a Compactor the capacity is increased from 30 litres to 90 litres. Yes the bin liners are more expensive than the cheap black plastic liners you get but due to the compacting nature of the bin I'll actually be changing the liner less, the bin liners never rip or slip down so are worth it in my opinion.The compaction system guides the liner, meaning they won't tear. Air channels also enable, easy, tear-free liner removal.There is nothing worse than rubbish spilling everywhere so I'm happy to buy the special bags. The price of the liners is £8 for 20 which you can buy through Joseph Joseph or Amazon , Lakeland etc.

I absolutely and totally love the extra large foot pedal feature of the bin which is bigger than you would get on a circular bin.

Hygienic and Mess Free

Titan's compaction plates ensure only the inside of the bin liner touches the waste whilst compacting - leaving you with clean hands and a clean bin.The lid has a stay  put feature which assists you in the changing of the bin liner.

When is a bin not just a bin why when it's not a Joseph Joseph bin of course.For extra peace of mind your Joseph Joseph Titan Trash Compactor comes with a 10 year guarantee against manufacturering defects.The price of the bin is £199 but you have the knowledge of a great innovative name ,and a high quality lasting product that will give you many years of faithful service.

Welcome Pack

Your bin will come with a welcome pack includes instructions for usage, 3 x IW4 30L Custom-fit Compaction Liners and 1 x odour filter.

Disclosure I was sent the bin by Joseph Joseph all thoughts words and opinions are my own. I love Joseph Joseph products with a passion! The cat is my own and  is called Jack he is happy to review the bin as much as I am !

Why Teenagers Need A National Trust Membership

Why teenagers need a National Trust membership !

Once your teenage hits 18 they are not longer allowed on your family National Trust card which is a bit hard especially if they have a September birthday like my teenager I do wish they had a 19 age limit like English Heritage does. We had to buy the teenager a student membership so he could come visiting with us we do love going to our familiar family haunts of Calke Abbey ( just down the road and to Kedleston Hall another close properties , there are a lot of stunning properties in Derbyshire.)





The student National Trust membership won't break the bank either and will be useful to him when he goes to study archaeology at York ( something to do also when he is recovering from Freshers week ) The price for the student membership comes in at £32.40 for the year and they'll pay this price till they are 25.

One day we prized the teen out of his bedroom for some much needed sunshine as he's been studying hard for his A levels before hope going on to study Archaeology at York University. I feel like the shackles of Winter are finely being cast off and I hold strong onto the coolness of Spring still. You've no idea hope much the teen needed sunshine as I think the A levels in some cases are more fraught than GCSEs. We decided to take the teen out to Biddulph Grange which is a truly beautiful and magical secret type garden in Staffordshire.

Biddulph Grange 

 

    

Hardwick House

Hardwick House is where we actually signed up for the teens National Trust membership .

Wightwick Manor

A wonderful Victorian arts and crafts Manor House which had the unique position in 1937 of being handed over to the National Trust when it was just 50 years old.

Beautiful Sunflowers against a William Morris tapestry.

How To Cope In A Rome Heatwave

It's Claire here your on scene travel reporter ~,live from Rome in what can only be described at the ultimate heatwave dubbed " Lucifer "

Do wear light clothing 

Do continually drink water ( sipping )

Do refresh yourself with an ice cream / Gelato

Blessed is the aircon especially when it's in the Vatican as well and of course the water is holy well it must be as the Pope lives there ;-)

You honestly can't cope in Rome without drinking copious amounts of water and filling up at the various little water fountains dotted here there and everywhere. The blue fountains in Rome are affectionately known as "Blue Noses"

Now in England I'm sure Gin fountains would catch on , I shall be writing to the Prime Minister with this very idea. 

Fakeaway Subway

Sometimes you just want to save your pennies well I know not only as I have been made redundant from my teaching assistant job ( booooo hiss ) but also I have a son off to university soon . So you see every penny counts and I know that as a student the teen will be watching the pennies as well. Student life isn't all partying so I have been told there is some studying sandwiched in there as well !

I had a prepared some lamb meatballs in a tomato sauce and pre sliced some bread rolls.

For the cucumber bacon topping 

1. Heat a wok until smoking and add the groundnut oil, then add the dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir fry for a few seconds, or until fragrant. 
2. Add bacon lardons and chilli and stir fry for 2-3 minutes, or until the lardons have turned golden-brown at the edges.
3. Add the rice wine or sherry, vinegar and sesame oil and stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the cucumber and stir-fry for a few more seconds.
4. Season with sea salt, dried chilli flakes and lime juice, stirring well.
5. Pile the stir-fry onto a serving plate, drizzle over the chilli oil, and serve immediately