September 2012 – Page 4 – Chasing Butterflies

Blogcean Award: what a fantastic way to end my Sunday!

My reaction:

I was just settling down with my family to watch a bit of Sunday television, before tucking myself into bed with my current read, when my phone alerted me that I had several emails. Nothing out of the ordinary, a few subscriptions, a few posts from bloggers I follow, a facebook notification and…wait a minute…that´s not my standard email…that´s an award! I received a lovely notification saying I had been awarded a Grade 4 BlOgcean Award. Still in shock and disbelief I rushed to the computer to make sure my beloved mobile wasn´t lying to me, sorry I ever doubted you: you know I love you really, but sure enough there it was on my about page, that beautiful comment:

So what is a BIOgcean Award?:

BlOgcean Awards is a new way of congratulating and encouraging achieving Bloggers. Blogcean Award.

Blogcean is a relatively new site offering a variety of awards raging from grade one to six, as well as their superstar award: The diamond star award. The idea behind these awards is to encourage and support bloggers, basically share the love.

So how does it work?

The idea is that you go to the website, choose a category and nominate a blog you think is worthy of the award. Then the BlOgcean Awards Judges will check out the Blog and decide whether it deserves this award, simple!

What does this mean for me?

It means that I get another shiny award badge for my blog and a really good nights sleep!

blocean-awards-grade-4-bronze — BIOgcean Award: grade four, my shiny new badge!

Final words:

I would like to thank the judges over at Blogcean Award, and all my readers and followers, for taking the time to look through my blog and for their encouragement and support. I love blogging and writing, nothing could ever change that, it´s my way to focus on the good things in my life and escape from the bad. For me, it keeps me happy. One of the best things for me about blogging is the world that opens up before you, the people who you get to know, the experiences you get to share: that´s the real award in my eyes. So thank you Blogcean Award for making my Sunday!

Go check out this website, any website that aims to spread encouragement, support and joy is worth checking out!

I hope you are having a fantastic Sunday wherever you are,

As always, thank you for reading,

Until the next time,

Giana

xoxo

Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far.

For todays photo challenge I decided to feature the area my family live in: Gran Alacant, Spain. My family is truly blessed in the fact that they live beside a lighthouse. Why you may ask, well there are several reasons really.

Firstly, their view can never be destroyed. Because they live near the lighthouse it means that they live at the top of a very steep hill. No development that is ever built can ruin their inspirational view of the beach, dunes, rugged little village areas and the wildlife park. Now that´s something to smile about!

Secondly, the area is preserved. The area that surrounds the lighthouse is a preserved area, nothing can be built on this area, meaning that it´s beauty will always remain intact.

Thirdly, the area is amazing. Words fail to describe the beauty of this rugged, undeveloped part of Gran Alacant. It´s peacefulness and tranquility is something that´s hard to be beaten. Apart from the odd cyclist and dog walker the area is deserted. It´s the best place to go to switch off from the world, to put things into perspective. I love it there.

And Lastly, you will never have trouble finding your way home! Okay, as you can tell, this one is a joke! But all joking aside, there is something about the glow from the lighthouse that is calming and beautiful. While my family and I would never use it to find our way home, we do use it to find some calm in the storms!

Hope you enjoy the pictures. To me, they really capture the theme near and far, not only through pictures but the lighthouse itself is a great symbol of near and far, it´s purpose is to warn ships far out at sea of what is near!

Lighthouses are more helpful than churches. Benjamin Franklin.

The lighthouse — A final image of the lighthouse, this time a little nearer!

To see what other bloggers have come up with for this weeks challenge click here.

Have you ever been to Gran Alacant? What did you think?

As always, thank you for reading,

Until the next time,

Giana

xoxo

Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far.

As I mentioned in my previous post, when it came to this weeks photo challenge my imagination ran wild, making it very difficult to choose what the best option was. In the end I decided to do not just one post but three, a little cheeky of me I know but making decisions has never been my strong point! Anyway, moving on, welcome to Photo Challenge number two: Finestrat, Spain. I hope you enjoy!

Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?
Khalil Gibran

An image of Puig Campana at street level. So near you can almost touch it yet far enough to remain mysterious!

Another image of Puig Campana from one of the enchanting streets in Finestrat.

A beautiful image of Puig Campana taken amoung the leaves!

This week I was lucky enough to visit the village Finestrat. Finestrat is a beautiful traditional village which seems to have the best of both worlds: the mountains and the beach. This picturesque village hugs the Puig Campana, a majestic rock, which happens to be one of the most emblematic points on the Costa Blanca. Not only does this mountainous village boast spectacular views of the surrounding countryside but it also has its own beach, situated some five minutes from the village itself. Getting excited yet? I hope so! Check out the rest of the views from this village by clicking here.

To see what other bloggers have come up with for this weeks challenge click here.

Have you ever been to Finestrat? What did you think?

As always, thank you for reading,

Until the next time,

Giana

xoxo

Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far.

I really love this weeks photo challenge, so much so that i´ve decided to get involved, something a little different for me I know but they do say change is a good thing!

Once I read the title so many ideas came rushing to my mind, it´s such a broad title that my imagination instantly ran wild. First I thought about relating it to my new series, One Day at a Time, as, in my mind anyway, it works perfectly with it.

Then I thought of my friends and family who are not in Spain, the people who are always near because they have a huge place in my heart, they always support me and love me, even from afar. I thought it would be a lovely way to pay tribute to them.

Then I started thinking about places I´ve visited and photos I´ve taken during my time here in Spain. Places like Finestrat and the beautiful backdrops which surrounded the entire village, they were all so near and yet so far. Alicante and the views from the castle. And finally Almodóvar, the village and the castle.

With so much to choose from it left me staring blankly into space trying to decide which would be the best. Then I figured there is no rule which states that you cannot do more than one challenge, in fact several of my favourite bloggers post more than one. So I´ve decided that´s what I´m going to do!

So here is todays challenge: Almodóvar.

Looking Forward, the spectacular view of Almodóvar del Río on the way up to the castle.

A beautiful image that reminds me that while what´s near and facing you might not be full of life, what´s to come makes it worthwhile!

A striking image of beauty both near and afar!

Close enough to share in the beauty that lies between them, far enough to keep their thoughts to themselves!

The journey up to the castle is most certainly a breathtaking one. It took me over half an hour to get from the foot of the hill up to the castle, not due to the distance but rather the sheer beauty there is to behold on the way up. The setting truly is picturesque. With the tone of the upward trek being set by the charming whitewashed houses of Almodóvar del Río contrasted against the spectacularly rich spring colours of the mountainous countryside and the ruggedness of the various pathways meandering their way up the hillside; it´s hard not to be blown away by what the area has to offer.

To check out the rest of my piece on Almodóvar just click here.