JACARANDA TREES AND DAME DE NOCHE:

This wonderful example of jacarandas in a quiet, traffic-free street in Seville was taken by Daisylulu (Louise). She has given me permission to use it so that others can enjoy it. Thanks Louise.







And for lovers of this orgasmically-scented shrub, here is the Dame de Noche again

These were just taken and as the sun is taking a little holiday, everything is dull and overcast, including the plants. I have a feeling that the Dame will have to be propagated from cuttings, rather than seed. Anyone any ideas?

SPANISH SIGHTS.

We set out for Cadiz this morning and met very slow traffic through the main road of the peninsular, Avenida de Andalucia. Eventually we discovered the cause....and impromptu festivo for the Virgen de Rocio.





Hundreds of women, in all their Andalucian finery, were following a small band of male musicians and some floral decorated floats. It was impossible to park, so we abandoned our attempt to visit the Tax office and went on to nearby Jerez. The jacaranda trees are in full bloom down leafy avenues, so especially for Nature Girl, here they are:


Click on pictures for the full beauty of the jacarandas.

POTATO HARVEST....there are some real whoppers there and we are highly delighted. I have a whole cook book (Australian Women's Weekly one) dedicated just to potatoes and dishes like Lyonaisse and Dauphinoise are our favourites.

The hibiscus lives and has given us some lovely flowers; as one dies off so others appear. We've bought an apricot one now and will get a pretty new pot for that and place it alongside as that sunny/shady corner seems to suit them.

MOSAICED POT READY TO GROUT...

Four different sides, all on the theme of bamboo. Removable rim will be mosaiced with black tiles and then all grouted in black. Should look good when placed just off the garden path.

GRAPEVINE PROGRESSING:

and there are diddly-little bunches arriving. Already there is some shade underneath, which is very welcome as the temperature has started to climb. We have our morning coffee and toast out here and there is a little protection from the Levante wind, which is also getting into its stride. Time to move vulnerable plants out of his reach.

THREE BEAUTIES.


Proper Maytime now......

Electric blanket off but duvet still there for insurance as the temperature begins to climb for proper May in Andalucia - 25C+.

The avocado has grown, clematis (Rouge Cardinal) has doubled its blooms, a new stephanotis is very at home, as is a droopy-petalled yellow clematis (Bill MacKenzie), which will flower in August (the label says, but I am doubtful as most plants go dormant then). It may wait until the heat is over, or rush into bloom in its new home.






Gonzalo has lifted his potatoes and they are about 5-6" long. Ours will be ready next week and I hope they're as mighty. He has 35 kgs stored in stacked crates and covered in a thick cloth. Beautiful golden yellow when boiled or baked; they can also be roasted.