Meet Milo

Milo is a young huacaya (pronounced wah‑KI‑ah) alpaca, owned by my son and daughter in law. Currently, he is in a part of the yard that allows him to come and make nose smudges on the windows when he thinks it might be time for some food. His coat is getting long and shaggy, he’ll be shorn next spring. The fleece is already spoken for, by a friend who will spin it into knitting yarn.

He’s really enjoying a crunchy carrot that Kay gave him, it makes a change from his usual hay diet. He also nibbles at the grass, there’ll be no need to get out the mower with him on the job.

He has such pretty eyes, this photo makes him look a little bit like a horse, although he belongs to the camelid family.

Milo is a little bit lonely, as alpacas really are herd animals. We hope to get some chickens for him to tend, once the weather is milder. He has several girl friends across the road, and spends quite a lot of time looking at them yearningly, and calling out to them.

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Back to one of my favourite topics – graffiti

Trastevere has more than its share of graffiti and street art, so I’ve once again hauled a few examples out of my photo file to share with you.

Will you please help to defend Pinocchio?

Cross my heart, I shan’t eat ladybugs.

A fallen hero, victim of Kryptonite, perhaps?

I’m waiting for your comments and explanations of this one. Then, I’ll steal the best ideas as my own, of course.

Random art in the Toledo metro, Naples

It was fun to see what you might discover, each time you descended the escalators to catch a metro train. How in heck did they get these full size artistic vehicles down into the bowels of Naples? And, why?

As seen at the Testaccio Market, Rome

(The Italian “I” is pronounced “ee”, the “U” is pronounced “oo”.)

Buon appetito. 🙂

A contrast in entries

These were spotted within 5 minutes of each other, in Trastevere.

It’s always a little mystery to me when I come across a blocked in doorway, with the street number still visible. And then, the Latin translates to “Guilty”. Curiouser and curiouser.

Wouldn’t you love to climb these steps to enter your little home after work each day?

 

 

Some offerings from the Campo de’ Fiori

One of Rome’s most famous open air markets is the Campo de’ Fiori (Field of Flowers). The name originates from the daisies, poppies and other wildflowers that once graced the square. It is open until early afternoon, from Monday to Saturday, and is full of colour, aroma and bustle.

The campo is also home to many restaurants and bars, and can be quite lively at night. It used to be the site for public executions, but that practice stopped over 500 years ago, thank goodness. 

 

Source: http://www.initaly.com

 

 

 

Cat lovers, just for you

A little selection of cats who call Rome home.

This handsome fellow lives in the Protestant cemetery, in the Testaccio district.

This one lives in the Gianocolo district.

 

And, this one is from Trastevere.