The land of sand and sky

Walking till the end of West Sands beach, where the Eden river meets the sea, is a nice week-end activity. When the tide is low, you are rewarded with endless vista of sand and sky.
 

Piú letti

3 reasons to have your family photos in Villa Giulia park

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Villa Giulia is a park in historic center of Palermo. It has its origins in 18th century and is remarkable for its perfect square shape with diagonal alleys dividing the park in different sections. Marble statues and fountains, a sundial, shady alleys and open spaces, and wide variety of trees and shrubbery make it a popular spot both with locals and tourists.  If you'd like your family photos to have lush green background with a touch of special Sicilian atmosphere, this park definitely should be considered. It ticks all the boxes - plenty of space, nice surroundings, easy access, lots of options for things to do during your photo shoot to get natural and emotional images (anyway we don't do posed photos on the benches or next to flowering shrubs!).  Here are my top 3 reasons why villa Giulia is a great location for family photo sessions. Reason 1  Lots of space and diversity. The park has an alley with Ficus trees, a little bamboo forest, a hill with cacti and succulen...
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Tentsmuir forest, continued

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This is second part of our adventures in Tentsmuir fores t. I do not have much to say, I loved it and pictures tell it all much better than words :-) I thought that I've included about half of the photos in the first post. How wrong I was! This one is interesting, because it shows the face Masha makes, when she does not want to be photographed. This time I did it though. With Grandpa. This boy, making faces and running away. Then coming back :-) This girl, with messy bun. She is a modern version of Little Red Riding Hood, in red converse instead of the hat. It was good. We should come back.
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Behind the scenes - photo session with kids

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I'm showing, and telling, something different today. Some behind the scenes moments, what and how things happen during a photo session with kids. I had help of 4 beautiful children, and it all took place in Capo Gallo (Mondello side).  Before the shoot we had a little chat with parents to prepare - to discuss how things will go, what clothes to wear, and what their kids like to do outside. So we had a little plan of their usual and favourite activities, plus I also prepared some ideas for games and things to do. I was a bit nervous - mostly because of communication and language issues. My Italian is pretty decent when it comes to conversation, it's writing that's the problem - but photo shoot is always an intense and emotional experience when you have to keep track of what's happening, if everyone is feeling ok and enjoying it, if we're moving ahead and getting some photos, if we need some new ideas and activities or just need to move to a new spot, if my camera set...
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Socks special

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What to say. They always fly around, these baby socks. Yet they can never be found when they are needed. They are played with, eaten, hidden... and sometimes worn too.
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Forest

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Back from holidays. There was a city, a forest, a river, and a sea. There were friends and family we did not see for a while. Sun, sand, waves, mosquitoes, barbeques, ice-creams. Shorts, sandals and dresses.  And some 16 gig of photos to sort through :-)
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Against the wind

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If I'd be asked to describe West Sands with one word - it would be windy. It is of course nice, big, fun - you can do kite, play ball, run, play with sand, collect shells, chase seagulls,  watch sand dunes. Swim, when it is warmer. People do all kinds of things on West Sands - there even used to be a motor bike race. Now it is mostly around the wind - all kinds of wind surfing on sand and kites, horseback riding. Then there is Chariots of Fire run , which we plan to do again this year. Matteo was racing too. Against the wind mostly. Maya was the pit stop. Fuel was chocolate. And then he was too cold with purple lips and hiding as deep inside the hat as possible :-) We played some ball, which wanted to roll into the sea. We also did some kite. It was mostly getting twisted and falling down. Our kite looks much better on the photos I have to say :) Despite the cold and wind, there is always time to be a goofball. And sticking tongue seems to be the favorite in this...
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Two walks, two beaches

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Beach is one of our regular destinations. St Andrews gives you a choice of windy West Sands with its wonderful panorama of the town, and endless sandy vista during low tide. Or smaller and somewhat cosier East Sands with its pier, cathedral and Coastal Path curving its way along the sea. 
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