Country Life

Nice pics LOL,
Its good to see everthing flowering so early in the year.
You probably thought of this, but those leaves look very similar to the pepper tree leaves.
Possibly ailanthus of some kind, with last years seed still attached.
Mahogany family possible I suppose.

 

Thanks pete. The Campsis is looking fantastic at the moment ... I don't have one but appreciate everyone else's!

I dismissed the Schinus as this tree is huge and they are smaller and I believe have finer leaves. Actually, I'll say no, it's not because after I took the pictures I went to the grocery store where the carpark is full of them and they're not the same.

I had not, however, thought of the Ailanthus and by my picture you may be correct. We had one in Bucks for 18 years but it never bloomed for us so I wouldn't know what the flowers / seedpods look like.

 

They dont always flower over here, (Ailanthus), the flowers are white, but the seed are a reddish colour when ripe and winged.

 

I thought the flowers were pinkish (that's something like lilacy but pinky) .. you know what I mean! :rolleyes:

Hmmmm ... strongy ... Any thoughts here?

 

A journey through the Alentejo will go up tomorrow.

 

It could be Ailanthus, leaves look very much like it, never seen the seed pods.

 

In my local park, the seed doesn't ripen here I believe

 

On the way to the Pet Crematorium in Monchique, we went up and around through Alentejo beginning in Santana da Serra ...



A typical Portuguese cemetary ...



We went down through the Eucalyptus forests (these photos are not enhanced) ...









..... a tree I thought resembled a heart ...



... and as usual found a picnic area on the River Mira. There was this roughly-built BBQ and you can drive you car right down to the river. The sign on the tree says. Private Property. You may use these facilities but take your litter with you ...



... river pictures following ...

 

... Alentejo continued ...

... this is the area down from the BBQ to the left ...



... and to the right ...



Further along ...



And even further along we went down this track ...



... to discover these delightful ruins ...



... with this view ...





It's not very clear, but in the centre of this hillside you'll see little white "boxes" ...
these are bee hives and very typical to Algarve ad Alentejo. Just think, the beekeeper has to tromp his way across these hillsides (and this is a zoomed-in shot) and there is nothing anywhere nearby.

 

Mmmmm.... NICE! And much greener than I'd imagined from the seaside pics you posted before. Are the eucaypts plantations? I suppose they must be. Do they grow them for the oil? Can you smell eucalyptus as you're driving through??

When I see ruins like that I want to rescue them and rebuild (but not modernise), then live like a hermit and enjoy the place... Ever the romantic, eh? Are there many ruined places like that?

Sorry! So many questions... but the pictures are intriguing!!!

 

Hi, Hy ... I love that!

Both provinces are very green ... much more so than Spain say our friends who own in Spain.

The Eucalyptus are in the Foresty Commission. Yes, they are there for the oil and wood. The smell is HEAVENLY.

T'other half wants the ruins but unfortunately there was no "for sale" sign .... Yes .... very cheap, but maybe not as cheap as France.

So many questions, so little time ....

 

Think you're right with the Ailanthus in Silves, pete. I went there today to collect more Sesbania so by this tree again ...



Sorry, it was too early in the morning for me and I don't think I had zoom on!

 

I thought that some of you needed my sunshine so I'll share it with you. We went to Santa Eulalia, where we have been going for weekend brunch lately.

After eating we went to the beach ... which you won't see as I carefully avoided it. Actually, you couldn't see it as there were so many people on it. Besides, pete wouldn't be very happy!

So, we'll go along the walk up above the beach ...

The entrance to the walkway ...



A nice collection of Red Hot Pokers, Agapanthus and Cannas in front of the restaurant ...



Santa Eulalia, minus the beach ...













... to be continued ...

[ 01. July 2007, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: Lady of Leisure ]

 

... continued ...

A nice clump of Lantana ...



... Oleander ...





You can just about see him, but t'other half is at the end of this path, wearing black with a cowboy hat on ...



... tall Bougainvilleas in front of sea-view apartments ...







... and some Plumbago in the carpark ...



I hope my outing warmed some of up you and brought some sunshine into your Sunday.

 

Very nice, lots of inspiration there babe for future paintings