A special birthday!

"....yes Grandad, I've had a really brilliant day" said Jasper when on the phone to Grandad George. A pleasing result for a birthday unlike any other. Trying to have a good birthday, a memorable one for an 8 year old, whilst living in a small van, keeping things secret, with the continuous onslaught of rain has not been easy, but Jasper's message to his Grandad was a reassuring thing to hear.

His birthday was preceded by an evening of putting banners and bunting throughout the van (in amongst the washing that we are trying to dry), wrapping presents and also putting up some mega fairy lights that Clare had found in the supermarket. Our van has a 'wow' factor, although for those looking in, it just looks mad, but for us and especially Jasper, it has been a super day where our little space has become special.

Not only that, but the special day was enhanced by a dry start in Rome. We ventured into Rome with ease really. We emerged by the Colosseum as our introduction to the city. It certainly has the wow factor too and engaged us all quite quickly. The wow factor was removed by the Italian queuing system for entry which resorted in a scrum like bodge by the ticket office, where the electricity supply kept failing too. Once ticketed though, the place was quite amazing to see in the real. A free rein gives you the scope to enjoy your visit. Architecturally and technologically, this place must have just been an amazing stadium to see in the fully completed version.

Onwards through the Roman forum. Walking through all these places felt fine. The only problem was that there were 101 street vendors selling phone holders that help you take 'selfies' or later on they all had umbrellas. My estimate of 101 is way short though. There must have been one guy every 10 metres or so as we walked from the Colosseum to our eventual destination at Flaminio Metro station.

Back to the Roman forum though. The crumbling mass of history that makes up the Roman forum is quite amazing. You can just walk all over this history. An immersive experience with also a feeling of 'this place must have been quite something!'

A birthday lunch was then had for the boy in a lovely restaurant. Lots of spaghetti and pizzas had. Fully refuelled, we continued down the back streets to the Pantheon. The skies began to darken as we entered it. A huge domed Roman temple that has a hole in the top of the dome to let in natural light.

The wet floor also indicated that it wasn't much use as a roof during wet spells. Conveniently, the marble floor was sloped in such a manner that water ran towards a small central drain. Quite a spectacular building.

 As we left, our day became surreal as we found ourselves trapped in a square as a Bolivian carnival came past. Crazy music, brilliant costumes and vivid colours is the best way to describe it. Did we understand it? Not at all, but it was fun.

As the storm clouds began to thoroughly empty we came back home. A party tea with party ring biscuits and party music was had and two tired children went to bed late. A very happy boy. Thanks to all for messages and birthday wishes. He's had a 'really brilliant day' which he will never forget.

Ed