VIVA EL FLORECIMIENTO!!

             Does climate change mean more flowery and lush Mediterranean gardens?  Yes, if this spring in Cataluna is any indication.   In the past few weeks we've had lower temps, rains, thunderstorms, and, of course, strong winds. Bad for the early vacationers,  but for us -  a welcome bounty of blossoms!

         The summer heat is just now setting in, but before it did, we shot a load of photos to flaunt the display we've been reveling in.

            The endless rambling rose entwined with ice plant sets off prickly pear cactus and broom.

                                 Under the pergola salvia, gaura, verbena bonariensis and basil.

    Cosmos, scented geranium, nasturtium capucine get plenty of cover from the encroaching pandorea.

       Several varieties of lavender, santolina, tanacetum and teuchrium are finally filling in this area.

        A statue of the Buddha is nearly hidden by two varieties of rose, geranium, and a killer cactus.

I had to look up this new beauty.  It's called Moltkia suffruticosa. 

One of several varieties of eurphorbia.

This is a very happy cactus!

The acanthus are just starting to show their purply/white blooms. 

       

The scabiosa cretica has nearly gone by, but it has produced so many flowers it had to be included. 

These red orange geranium look super bright when set off by the blue of this succulent. 

Those trays of red in the foreground show Steve's handiwork,  He's picked and dried several kilos of cherries.
Thanks for letting us share these with you.
All the seasons best to you, Linda and Steve

WILD FLORA AND WILDER FAUNA

   

     Apologies for the eons between posts. We talk all the time about the beautiful or interesting or share-able things but don't seem to find the time to sit down, write and throw a few pictures up. Oh well, hope we'll do better this summer. 







          Last week we twice visited the Burga Valley, the area between our town, El Perello and Rasquera, a similarly small, working town up in the mountains. Both days presented a slew of photo ops.

           It's cherry season here now and an extremely bounteous one due to the extra spring rains and the delay of hot weather. We picked kilos upon kilos of beautiful sweet fruit at a finca with hundreds of cherry trees flanked by fields of glorious poppies and other luscious wild flowers.

Our other Burga Valley visit was to the restaurant Carpe Diem, where we had a very fine lunch to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend. In addition to the over the top decor and lush landscaping, the owners look after their brood of 165 animals.  And not just chickens, rabbits and ducks.  Have a look at a few of these!

                                And the other llama just wants to kiss, kiss, kiss.

                                  What do a wallaby and tortoise talk about?

This emu couldn't stay out of the parking area.

                                        The biggest hares we'd ever seen.

Think there's been some interesting crossbreeding?

Thanks for checking in with us.  

Linda and Steve