Category: Weekly Photo Challenge

Summer reads

My Summer Reads

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Sitting on the beach, my toes nestled in the hot sand, the sound of the sea lapping against the shore, and a bright blue sky above me. With a fruity cocktail in one hand, a book in the other, and Mr Ayla sitting next to me – this is my paradise. My blissful moment that I imagine myself in every time I want to get away or just relax.

Thankfully we seem to have been blessed with some sunny days in London recently – it is now July after all – and this means that the colourful summer dresses, flip flops and sunglasses have made their way back into my life. And while books are always in my life whatever the weather, summer is the perfect time to sink into those more light hearted happy reads to match the season. For chilling in the garden, picnicking in the park, or catching some sun on the beach in an exotic destination, all with a good book in hand.

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Wine in the Cinque Terre

Becoming a Wino in Italy

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The one and only time I’ve ever been a fan of wine was when I was in my early 20s, when it was too teenager-like to still be drinking Archers and lemonade or WKD, but wine gave you that more sophisticated grown up feeling.  But no matter how hard I tried (and I did try really hard) I never particularly enjoyed drinking wine so I very quickly reverted back to the sweet and fruity spirits and cocktails that I’ve always loved.

On the odd occasions when I do drink wine now, I end up embarrassingly tipsy after just one glass which kind of defeats the point of a grown up drink out with friends and rapidly turns into a drunken night reminiscent of my late teens.  The next morning is not kind to me either, leaving me with a horrid headache and the promise that I will never ever drink wine again.

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Travel World map cake

My Travelicious Birthday

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The lead up to my birthday is usually full of excitement and fun, but this year I’ve not been feeling particularly happy about turning another year older.  (This is the part where I’m usually told off because “I’ve had a great life and done so much already”.  Yes, but there is still soooooo much more that I want to do!)

But Mr Ayla and my friends and family refused to let me mope around and so this weekend has been full of surprise celebrations for my birthday today.

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Camel safari on the sand dunes at sunset Rajasthan India

Weekly Photo Challenge: Yellow

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Our Christmas this year is extremely different to last year.

This year has already been filled with fun festivities, ice skating, Christmas markets, family and friends; the type of Christmas that we’re used to at home.  Whereas last year there was much less of a festive atmosphere.  We had hot sunshine instead of the bitter cold, curry instead of roast dinner, camels instead of reindeer.

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Sunset over Brooklyn Bridge New York

Weekly Photo Challenge: Twinkle

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Although we weren’t in New York around Christmas time, Central Park and the rest of the city was covered in snow, and with the bright lights and ecstatic atmosphere you can only find in somewhere like New York City, the whole place had a very magical feel to it.

The bitter weather didn’t stop us from going out and seeing all the sights though.  One of our favourite moments was walking along the Manhattan Bridge just as the sun started to go down, and seeing this stunning view of the sunset twinkling over the water, giving the Brooklyn Bridge and the heart of the city a warm winter glow.

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The rooftops of Venice Italy

Weekly Photo Challenge: Angular

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Venice is one of the most photogenic cities I’ve ever visited. Every narrow cobbled alley you explore, every canal you wander past, every colourful little building; everywhere you turn there is another beautiful sight to stumble across.

Even the rooftops are just as colourful as the buildings, which is why I loved the view from the top of San Marco Campanile.

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Malteser chocolate cake

Weekly Photo Challenge: Achievement

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Anyone who knows me at all will know that I love food.  All food, any food, I love it all.  But when it comes to making food…well that’s a whole other thing entirely.

I was never taught to cook or bake when I was younger so now that I’m all grown up I just don’t do it, which may explain why I eat out so much.

But for my mum’s last birthday I wanted to do something special for her.  She is the biggest chocoholic I know – she’s actually intolerant to chocolate but still eats it anyway – because what crazy fool would give up chocolate?!

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Giraffes in the Serengeti Tanzania

Weekly Photo Challenge: Minimalist

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Africa isn’t the sort of place that comes to mind when you think of the word minimalist.  The continent’s bright colours, pulsing music and lively people means there is always the buzz of something going on somewhere and this is one of the many reasons why I fell in love with the place.

But the national parks, with their huge expansive plains that reach as far as the horizon, feel like they’re in a whole other world.  You could drive for miles seeing nothing apart from another safari truck passing by, on the look out for some wildlife just as you are.

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