Tuesday 28 April 2015

Marble Marvellous



A peep into an annex of the Cattedrale Monreale, in Sicily, opened out into a curvaceous romp of Baroque figures, pillars and motifs—what a feast!







Photos by Alison Day


© Alison Day 


Monday 27 April 2015

Sunday 26 April 2015

Primavera Prosecco



Lunch on a balcony, in the little restaurant: Dietro L'Angolo. Overlooking the town of Monreale (Sicily), with its lemon groves and the hazy blue of the sea.





Glorious! — Sun, Prosecco aperitif, wine, fresh fish and olives.









© Alison Day 


Saturday 25 April 2015

Silk Floss



Walking through the cloisters of the Cattedrale di Monreale (Sicily), I came across this unusual looking tree. At first glance its huge fruit could be mistaken for avocados, but a look at its comical, baobab-shaped and prickly trunk told me otherwise.




The Silk floss tree (Ceiba speciosa), originates in the tropical forests of South America. Belonging to the same family as the baobab, it can grow up to 25 metres in height. The young tree has a green trunk, which turns grey as it matures and is covered with thick conical thorns, which store water for use in dryer times.

The fruit are woody, oval pods containing black, bean-sized seeds from which vegetable oil can be obtained, whilst the soft, fluffy, cotton-wool substance has many uses: stuffing, packaging, paper ropes etc.

© Alison Day 
 

Tuesday 21 April 2015

Spring Delight




Cannoli, topped with candied orange peel, accompanied by cappuccino by Alison Day



Below our favourite coffee place: Spinnato, in Palermo, which dates back to 1860. A lovely place to sit for morning coffee, an aperitif or to while away an afternoon.
Alongside the news stand, with its giant yo-yo-like planters.










© Alison Day 

Saturday 18 April 2015

Saturday 4 April 2015

Off the Wall



The original mural by Alison Day


This image and a small FILM, I made many years ago, are all that are left of a mural I created for my son's bedroom wall. (S'cuse the inferior quality)
For me, the question had always remained: What was the story behind the mural?
With that in mind, I'm about to self-publish—the story behind the mural as a children's book and one that I have written, illustrated and designed too.
Currently, I am working towards self-publishing the story, via a crowdfunder. So, watch this space and my other social media...

© Alison Day