Monday, 27 April 2015

Gotta Go


Sign on the door to the ladies in a restaurant in Monreale, Sicily.
—When you've gotta go...




© Alison Day 



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