the ginkgo blog

Photography holidays and courses on the Greek island of Kefalonia with Ginkgo Studios starting October 2009 through until May 2010 - Come and have fun and get some winter sun...

Full details yet to be finalised, but I am very proud to announce that from the end of October this year through until the early part of May, I/we here at Ginkgo Studios will be hosting a series of fully staffed 1 and 2 week photography holidays/courses on the simply stunning Greek Island of Kefalonia, with 6 luxury villas at our disposal.

This picture was taken last week (second week of August 2009) - Very nice boat!

I won't go in to details now as they have still to be finalised and signed off. But, here are just a few glimpses at what we will be making available for you to choose from on this island of paradise...

1 & 2 Week Holiday

• Practising professional photographer at your disposal 24/7
• Shooting and processing techniques with Apple Mac & Windows based systems available for use and for evening tutorials.
• Guided shoots from the people in the know
• Traditional Greek cuisine at tavernas reserved just for you and us
• Shared or exclusive luxury villas
• Guided walks - including secret waterfalls and lakes even the locals don't know about (so secret you will be blindfolded for part of the journey there!)
• Six berth cruiser for touring the island coast and the paradise beaches only accessible from the sea
• Plus a huge amount more

2 Week Holiday only (not mandatory)

• 1 day photography tour of Athens
• Ionian coastal trip taking in from a choice of Olympia, Delphi, the Corinth Canal....
• Ferry crossing to the island of Kefalonia

Like I say - This is just a small selection of what we will be making available as they are all signed off - The rest will blow you away too. So if you are interested, drop me a line, subscribe or bookmark us and check back regularly over the next few weeks for mare details, dates and of course, prices...

We are planning to make this one of the best, if not the best photography holiday / course available. So if you are interested and have you're own ideas that you think we haven't covered, be sure to let us know!

Good news... I think I have found the best sandwich in the world - ever!

The great news - if you live in Hampshire, UK - Then you're sorted. Pop in to Winchester city centre, head for the Cathedral and you'll find it on the cobbled street parallel to the high street adjacent to the cathedral (it's where the posh shops are).

For the same price as a big mac, fries and a cup of super heated water that has been turned brown with something that they call 'coffee', but we call pi$$, you can get a ripe Brie (very un-pasteurised - so if you are pregnant - just look on and drool - not long to go ;-), black ham with a sweet chili paste on whole meal bread or ciabatta, with a cappuccino that has no after taste whatsoever (they actually clean the machine multiple times per day which stops that 'gagging' after-taste that just plain sux).

Today I ordered this combination from the very pleasant staff - and I have to say, very attractive staff. Then I headed back to the studio and tucked in... 

And it was the most heavenly sandwich I have ever had. The intensity of the texture, aroma and taste was stunning - but never so rich that you just had to take a break. I am no food critique, I just know what is good. And in combination with the cappuccino that didn't make you want to gag if you'd had a heavy night previously - it was a stunning meal that actually kept me replete to the point that I didn't fancy any supper - even though I cooked it and even though it tasted great!.

So, I hear you ask - What exactly does this have to do with photography?

Absolutely bugger all...

But it was one hell of a sandwich, complimented by a very tasty coffee - and to date, quite possibly the best I have had, anywhere and, on any of the continents I have set foot on.

So, if you find yourself in the capitol of England - Yes, King Arthur sorted that one out many years ago - London is the capitol of the UK, not England - and I'm Scottish ;-) - Why not head for this culinary lunch heaven, from a chef who has international status (Mr James Martin) - and is quite frankly - bloody good!

To have a hand crafted lunch sandwich, that is utterly amazing with the best products available, for the price of a piece of crap from a fast food joint and accompanied with a frothy coffee - what more can you ask for before you head off 200 yards to photograph one of the most spectacular buildings in the UK?...