Easter break

Blogging will resume after the Easter break.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate!

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - April 2014

Welcome again to my Algarve garden (hardiness zone 10a). I was hoping it would be looking better by now and that some projects I started in autumn would be completed but it's been a funny few months weather wise. 

We've had a windy winter and an unstable spring with heavy downpours recently. This kind of weather makes me ill, so gardening is out of the question. The bit of grass I smothered with cardboard (behind the lavender in the picture above) in autumn has hopefully rotted but it will be a lot of work before it becomes an interesting border. The lavender has grown more than I had anticipated so I also need to move some plants asap but I can't until the grass is gone!

 The roses are starting to flower. However, my gardener friend had to start spraying the bushes because the ones by the front wall are being attacked by small orange bugs that would eventually destroy them, apparently.We can't let that  happen!

The other day I realised the veranda was looking very colourful. It's a pity I haven't had much time to sit there and appreciate the view.

The reddish pink cymbidium has now been joined by the paler pink cymbidium behind it.

Next month I hope to have large white lilies and lots of roses. See you then.

Thank you again to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for hosting this blog hop.

With Musical Instrument

There is no religious procession in northern Portugal that is not accompanied by a band or two - drums and brass instruments usually play an important part in the festivities.

In contrast, here are some interesting musical instruments from Zimbabwe.

Whatever the instrument, music is something I cannot imagine life without. This Sunday post was of course inspired by Jake.

Praia da Luz beach

This picture was taken in July last year. The winter weather took its toll on the cliffs so very recently bulldozers were brought in to push the unsafe part of the cliff down to the sea to prevent possible accidents.

The beach was looking like this a week ago.

 As soon as the temperatures begin to rise, this beach resort in the Western Algarve will be full of tourists again.

 Some may come to take part in the Triathlon on the 26th of this month.

Billboard

 

When in the Lagos area, why not visit the zoo?

 

The rally ended today but the billboard will stay awhile.

This is a telegraphic Sunday post.