Well for sure it’s spring time now in the sunshine of the Algarve. I live in the countryside; not isolated, but definitely not in a village. The fields around my area are smothered in buttercups, a sea of bright yellow in the lush green carpet of new grass and clover. The spring vegetables for foragers are there for the picking and the bees are busy gathering pollen already.
Fruits and flora
I’m lucky, my villa sits in a large plot and although the upkeep keeps me busy, I get to enjoy all of nature’s bounty as it unfolds each season. In the orchard, my lemon tree is laden down with fruit, the tangerines and oranges have ripened into lovely fruits. The peach, apple, plum, pear and nectarine are in blossom and the fig trees have bright green new leaves in preparation for the August crop.
Just a few months ago I cut back my rose bushes - almost to the ground - yet I have new flowers blooming already! The pots of sage, chilli peppers, coriander, parsley, mint and chives are bursting and the rocket is growing so fast I can’t eat it all. The miniature marigolds self seeded and have come up in a pretty, deep yellow/orange circle around the miniature violas with their purple centres surrounded by white frills, which have also self seeded in the centre of the pot
The pruned oleanders are sprouting once more, the carobs are forming and soon these giant trees will be smothered with their long green pods. The almond blossom has fallen now, and the new almonds are developing. The huge bottle brush tree is still bearing its red brushes and the ficas are a treat in a variety of greens. My red hot poker aloe plants are flourishing with their bright spiky blooms, leaving their long green leaves to be enjoyed for quite some time yet.
Birth and babies
A couple of weeks ago as I drove down my lane, I noticed a crowd of gypsies surrounding a horse in a field. My curiosity piqued, I joined them to see what the fuss was about and lo and behold there was a new born baby foal just struggling to his feet for the first time. Both the gypsies and I were spellbound with this wonderful sight and we were all laughing, clapping and happy for the horse and the baby. No matter that they witness this each springtime; no matter that this is part of their livelihood, it still enthrals them as much as me.
A little further on, in the next field, were new born lambs. Five of them: one black and the others all white; they were gambolling around their mothers, while the owners, wreathed in smiles, were watching. I too stopped to gaze in wonder at the sheer beauty of the scene.
When I returned home I went to my pond to feed the fish and was delighted to notice hundreds of tadpoles swimming around. Yup, Mother Nature is so bountiful at this time of year. It’s a constant reminder that life goes on and no matter what life throws at us, the world still revolves and there will be new life each spring.
The clocks have gone forward now and the days are getting longer, giving us more time to appreciate this wonderful time of the year when we get a ‘spring’ in our step, the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair. Which reminds me, I now have to spring clean!
Springtime in the Algarve
By Sun's Dragon
Well for sure it’s spring time now in the sunshine of the Algarve. I live in the countryside; not isolated, but definitely not in a village. The fields around my area are smothered in buttercups, a sea of bright yellow in the lush green carpet of new grass and clover. The spring vegetables for foragers are there for the picking and the bees are busy gathering pollen already.
Fruits and flora
I’m lucky, my villa sits in a large plot and although the upkeep keeps me busy, I get to enjoy all of nature’s bounty as it unfolds each season. In the orchard, my lemon tree is laden down with fruit, the tangerines and oranges have ripened into lovely fruits. The peach, apple, plum, pear and nectarine are in blossom and the fig trees have bright green new leaves in preparation for the August crop.
Just a few months ago I cut back my rose bushes - almost to the ground - yet I have new flowers blooming already! The pots of sage, chilli peppers, coriander, parsley, mint and chives are bursting and the rocket is growing so fast I can’t eat it all. The miniature marigolds self seeded and have come up in a pretty, deep yellow/orange circle around the miniature violas with their purple centres surrounded by white frills, which have also self seeded in the centre of the pot
Birth and babies
A couple of weeks ago as I drove down my lane, I noticed a crowd of gypsies surrounding a horse in a field. My curiosity piqued, I joined them to see what the fuss was about and lo and behold there was a new born baby foal just struggling to his feet for the first time. Both the gypsies and I were spellbound with this wonderful sight and we were all laughing, clapping and happy for the horse and the baby. No matter that they witness this each springtime; no matter that this is part of their livelihood, it still enthrals them as much as me.
When I returned home I went to my pond to feed the fish and was delighted to notice hundreds of tadpoles swimming around. Yup, Mother Nature is so bountiful at this time of year. It’s a constant reminder that life goes on and no matter what life throws at us, the world still revolves and there will be new life each spring.
The clocks have gone forward now and the days are getting longer, giving us more time to appreciate this wonderful time of the year when we get a ‘spring’ in our step, the sun on our faces and the wind in our hair. Which reminds me, I now have to spring clean!
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