First signs? We dare to hope!
I just looked back at my 6WS for this weekend last year, and sure enough, it was full of crocuses (or even, crocii?). It’s been pretty miserable here the last week or so, but the flowers don’t seem to have noticed. A garden just around the corner produces the most beautiful tiny deep purple iris each Spring, but you have to be quick- they only last a few of days.
Purple iris
I thought we might take a stroll through some Portuguese countryside to get us in the mood? It arrives a little earlier there.
First we’ll cross a shallow ford
A pause to capture these. Sorry, but I don’t know their name.
A mother and her lamb view us with some caution
And then the hamlet of Malhada do Peres, enhanced by the almond blossom
Beautiful in close-up
The river bed is pretty dry, even this early
Then there’s this little jewel- a wild orchid
Obviously bird lovers live here (or builders!)
I’ve never seen these fruit on a cactus, either
All in all, a treasure trove, I think you’ll agree? What does Spring herald in your part of the world?
As usual, I’m sharing my Six word Saturday, courtesy of our kind hostess Cate, on Show My Face. Click on the header or links to join in or view the other entries. You know you want to!
restlessjo 
Your pictures are beautiful, and I’m so ready for spring!
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We keep having false starts here, Meg. Yesterday was beautiful, but today we’re flat and grey again. Better than nothing, I suppose.
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Perhaps those yellow flowers are Acacia? You have given us such a plethora of gorgeous photos- thank you thank you!
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Yes, Acacia has been suggested by another reader, Kathe, so I think you’re right. It was a lovely walk with lots to see. Many thanks for your visit.
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What a treat to see the wild orchids! And the trees and other blooms! Nothing blooming here yet…and we still have a blanket of snow from the last two weeks’ storms! But I do look forward to spring so much! Thanks for sharing…
Happy Saturday!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
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I’m starting to revise my outlook, Linda. Perhaps my life in the “frozen north” isn’t so bad, after all! We have crocuses and hellebores as well as our snowdrops. I brought some hellebore flowers in to float on a bowl of water this afternoon and they look beautiful.
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Oh I am a wishing and hoping and a praying….. it’s on the way!
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Soon, Karen. Soon!
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We have those cacti with the cute little red hats growing right on our beach! I am so welcoming spring even though the winter wasn’t so terribly terrible 😉
Thanks for the kick start into all that grows green and gorgeous. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Gem. It has actually been beautiful here this afternoon. I cut some flowerheads to float in a bowl on my hearth and they look gorgeous.
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There’s nothing quite like spring flowers to cheer one up, what? Your sun-filled photos are wonderful. We’ve got snowdrops and winter aconites here and I’m just waiting for the daffs to show their yellow finery, then I’ll feel spring has truly sprung.
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Today is a completely different day here, Lorna! I actually sat in the garden and read for a while- such a forgotten luxury.
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Spring? What is this “Spring” of which you speak?
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I’m starting to realise that we might be more fortunate in the north east of England than I previously thought, Ron. Nicole says April in Minnesota! I’d never survive.
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I have just been lamenting the last day of summer in our part of world, so the warmer days are coming for you northerners!
What lovely photos you have here! I can tell you that the plant wth the round, yellow flowers is an Acacia to Wattle tree. Most of this species originated in Africa or Australia.
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Oh, thank you, Madoqua! That is so helpful. I always wondered what a Wattle tree looked like.
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Beautiful warmth and color. Appreciated on a day with more snow and gray.
Hope you are feeling better and I like your idea of the 6 word Saturday project. Going to think how I can try it sometime.
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I’m a bit naughty with my six words, Ruth. Either that or I’m not good at counting! I think Cate may have washed her hands of me, as I seem to have missed the point entirely. I started with good intentions, but then I wanted to do it “my way”, and you can see the result.
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Oh Jo! We still have a foot of dirty snow on the ground!!! Spring arrives very late in Minnesota. First signs aren’t usually until mid April and let me tell you by that point the entire city is out with spring fever! I get it every year!!!! Can’t wait!!!!
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I can remember your joy when the snow arrived, Nicole, and playing with your young uns! Seems like a lifetime away.
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What gorgeous photos to start my morning with. They honestly made me feel happy and at ease. Thank you!
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Thank you- what a lovely thing to say! The day turned out to have a real hint of Spring here in north east England too, so I’m happy.
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Gorgeous pictures! I certainly hope spring is near.
Happy Saturday. ☺
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Thanks, Dana. It actually turned out a real Spring day here, today. I sat in the garden with a book after zumba, then cut some flower heads to float in a bowl on my hearth. Feels wonderful!
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It is pretty, but it still looks cool.
The daffodils have been peeping for two weeks but not flowered yet.
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It was about 19/20C when we were there in January, Tilly- very nice. Our snowdrops are lasting well, and the croci are almost here. Next door’s daffs are always earlier than ours- don’t know why!
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Lovely photos – I wish I was there!
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Me too, Elaine!
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Those pictures look very tempting!
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It was part of a beautiful 10km walk through national park, Andrew. We kept crossing and recrossing the river and there was nobody about till we met one couple coming the other way. They had a home in Tomar and regularly have a month in the Algarve in January to save fuel costs because it’s cold up there. Decided we should do that next year.
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Nice to see some colour Jo, it’s very grey & drab here at the mo
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I’m doing a little jig, Dallas! It heard me- it’s bright and beautiful today.
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Beautiful pictures! I can’t wait to see the first sign of Spring here in Minnesota. I’m ready!
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It seems such a long wait, Nikki, doesn’t it? It’s actually sunny here this morning and feels quite promising.
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My crocuses (or i or whatever) look like someone’s thrown them in the bin, all papery and squashed.
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Aww, shame, Viv!
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Finally, the real spring is on its way, I just read in the newspaper… it just takes another 3-4 days…
Thank for your lovely post!
Have a great weekend.
Love Dina
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And you, too, Dina! Yes- the sun is out here today…. let’s just wait.
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I wonder if those tiny orchids were what I used to see when we used to walk up the hill around this time of year? Almond blossom is pretty much over in our part of the world. Chumbos eh? The prickly pear fruit, I have one in my garden, also has a lovely flower.
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These were taken at the end of January so I expect the blossom’s about gone in the Algarve too, Rough. Long way to go here (but the sun’s out this morning!)
I hadn’t ever seen that colouration on the prickly pear, but it just depends what season you’re there in, of course.
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I’ve just done a search for pix on my blog but it won’t come up with them, even though I know they are on there – and can NOT be bothered to look back through six years worth of posts!
The ones on your pic are the actual fruits (the chumbos, no idea what they are called in English if anything), and they come after the flowers which are very exotic. The ones on your pic are too ripe to eat. I never know when to pick them so just wait for my neighbour to collect some for me on his countryside walks.
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I’ve never eaten them and can’t remember what the flowers look like. I’ll Google them. Six years! Good grief- I’m up to 18months.
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