24th May 2015 CENTRAL PORTUGAL
Finally the battle with the Computer has been conquered and can return to blogging (Disaster struck during a ferocious thunderstorm around three weeks ago and the ‘machine’ has just been returned in operational order).
Sun still shining, has been for the last three weeks, accompanied by strong winds, most unusual for May, and following the storms earlier in the month rain has been in short supply. Everything (Yes, everything) is growing with ‘gay’ abandon. The vegetable garden boast the first sightings of Beans, both ‘Runner’ and ‘Haricot’. Tomatoes are in flower and the fruit has started to form on the second trusses. Cucumbers are full of embryonic progeny and flower. Aubergines have initial flowers. Sweet peppers are covered in white flowers with small peppers forming. Courgettes and ‘Pati Pans’ trying hard (but were seeded late this year) and the sweet corn just might do something other than look pathetic. The new Raspberry bed is proving that the benefit of the supreme digging effort of February is appreciated - both yellow and red raspberries are being picked (still in small quantities but increasing daily) and the Strawberry experiment is moderately successful (still suffering the indignity of rather good ‘supermarket’ supplied fruit at around 1 Euro per kilo).
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| the cucumber bed shaded by the old olive tree |
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| Thriving raspberry canes - red and yellow |
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| Runner beans - running up their poles |
The flower garden has been most floriferous. Roses and dry weather are an excellent mix as ‘Blooming’ time is greatly increased. The same goes for Petunias (the ‘Surfinias’ have already formed large cushions of flowers, only down side is they need ‘Dead Heading’ daily to maintain the display). Dahlias are bursting forth in ‘Regal Majesty’ (as only dahlias can) and the Fuchsias are about to amaze yet again this year. The carefully over wintered Geraniums are quite splendid; the ‘deep reds’ are as intense as ever and the ‘Peach flowers’ are truly delicate in their almost continuous display from now until late October. The ‘Moth Orchids’ are back in flower. They always please with their constant and beautiful display.
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| Very pretty palest pink floribunda rose |
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| Glaringly colourful display of surfinia petunias |
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| Shockingly bright petunias |
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| Wish you could smell the Rambling Rector! |
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| Lovely peach rose from Lidl - no name |
Had a splendid day yesterday at the much heralded ‘Beiras Grass Roots Garden Festival’ Flower Show.
The day started early as dawn was announced by masses of sunshine for the ‘ritual’ of ‘Day Break’ picking of the fruit and flowers for the various ‘Show’ classes. As usual the ‘prized’ single rose was past it’s best so the ‘Stand in’ had to suffice in the ‘Single Rose’ class ( only mustered a ‘3rd’), the ‘Three Rose’ vase was better and managed a ‘1st.’, ‘Rose Bowl also got ‘1st’ as did a lovely pale yellow and claret ‘Moth’ Orchid, ‘Mixed Vase of Flowers’ a ‘2nd’, ‘Plate of Soft Fruit’(Raspberries, red and yellow, Strawberries, three varieties and Cherries) ‘1st’ with Rosette (definitely getting a ‘Swollen Head’ now) , ‘Single Garden Flower’(White arum lily) Highly Commended but ‘3rd’. and the Head Gardener’s ‘Plum Gin’ a 1st’ with Rosette (Judges must have enjoyed as bottle empty). So ‘all in all’ suffering from ‘delusions of grandeur’ and ‘aching feet’ due twelve hours on the ‘go’.
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| The guardians of the portal at the Show! |
The day started early as dawn was announced by masses of sunshine for the ‘ritual’ of ‘Day Break’ picking of the fruit and flowers for the various ‘Show’ classes. As usual the ‘prized’ single rose was past it’s best so the ‘Stand in’ had to suffice in the ‘Single Rose’ class ( only mustered a ‘3rd’), the ‘Three Rose’ vase was better and managed a ‘1st.’, ‘Rose Bowl also got ‘1st’ as did a lovely pale yellow and claret ‘Moth’ Orchid, ‘Mixed Vase of Flowers’ a ‘2nd’, ‘Plate of Soft Fruit’(Raspberries, red and yellow, Strawberries, three varieties and Cherries) ‘1st’ with Rosette (definitely getting a ‘Swollen Head’ now) , ‘Single Garden Flower’(White arum lily) Highly Commended but ‘3rd’. and the Head Gardener’s ‘Plum Gin’ a 1st’ with Rosette (Judges must have enjoyed as bottle empty). So ‘all in all’ suffering from ‘delusions of grandeur’ and ‘aching feet’ due twelve hours on the ‘go’.
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| Display of roses from the garden at the show |
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| Our soft fruit display - strawberries, raspberries and cherries |
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| The Head Gardener's Plum Gin on the left - sampled by many, nearly all gone! |
After a day of ‘Highs’ returned to normality this morning with the ‘HG’s’ instructions to ‘Water’ on all terraces. Very hot and sunny hope the ‘Coffee Bell’ rings soon.
Ah there it goes, must dash,
See you soon,
Stuart.
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