Jo’s Monday walk : Talking to the trees

Funny how an idea can spark from an innocent remark. ‘Have you done a walk featuring the personalities of trees?’ asked Frank, on my last walk. ‘Well, no-o…but?’ Frank likes walking on beaches, but his interests range far and wide. I like walking on beaches too, but they’re denied to me at present. So the idea of taking a twirl with a tree or two was born.

I talk to the trees, but they don’t listen to me

I talk to the stars, but they never hear me…

  • Could you use a little shade?
  • Or a place to sit awhile?
  • I’m afraid I’m a little twisted
  • And I’m having a bad hair day!
  • Calm down, guys! Just look at that blue sky
  • How about a game of hide and seek?
  • Climb on me- I don’t mind!
  • Not us! We’re fragile
  • How did I end up like this?

They surround me. Olive trees, ancient and new. Oranges and lemons, side by side, their fruit a dangling temptation. Figs and pomegranates are bare branches now, but their turn will come. This is the time of the almonds, bitter with dark pink blossoms, sweet, much paler. Both delicate.

  • Juicy oranges
  • And tangy lemons

I choose a path between fields lush with Bermuda buttercups. Over a stone wall, a new plantation of water-guzzling avocados. A flitter and a fluttering as a lime and lemon butterfly dances past, alighting for a few precious moments. I hope for the wings to still to display their full beauty. Bubbles of vibrant mimosa echo the lemon.

And then, the definitive old gnarled tree trunk. A home for bugs, birds and even small rodents. The perfect hiding place for acorns. With a peephole or two for that watchful eye. So full of character!

  • White blossom contrasts with the rocks
  • And a rock rose peeps out
  • I’ve got my eye on you!
  • Lanterna, everywhere, in many shades
  • A tree with a view
  • Dangling beauty

So many forms, and all part of my world right now. The boundaries are meaningless to you, but a beautiful straitjacket for me. I hope you enjoyed A glimpse of my world as it is at the moment. Thanks to Sheetal. A myriad of sights to gladden the heart.

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As does sharing your walks. Find time for a browse?

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Margaret did make me smile with this! You see, anyone can go for a walk… anywhere!

Virtual dog goes on a virtual walk

When it comes to smoke and mirrors, Drake has it all beautifully covered :

Cheating morning

Dressed winterly

Winter down hill

So nice to have a bit of poetry to accompany a walk. Thanks, Mari!

A Walk for Edward Thomas

Cadyluck has a very sad story to relate, but it makes a fascinating walk :

Jo’s Monday walk : Southampton, UK

Feel the heat, Down Under with Carol! Anyone for a paddle? Don’t miss the dragonflies and butterflies in the second post!

Down by the Water

Getting Back to Nature

Going back to virtual walks, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather walk with. Margaret, come and join Annika? You’ll love the location.

Duality of Walks

Some time this year we’ll be free to walk where we choose, I hope. Lucy has some great suggestions :

Five fantastic walking holidays in the UK

And Marie shares some wild Irish beauty :

Out and about in Ireland’s Heartland- Cavan Burren Park

Tying in nicely with my walk this week… a peaceful interlude with Lynn :

Local Walks: A Lake and a Forest in the uiet season

Nudging forward into 2021. One step at a time. Take care of yourselves, and join me next time on Jo’s Monday walk!

149 comments

  2. Well Jo, what a lovely walk we’ve had today! Your images are wonderful as is the sprinkling of colorful flowers among them. Here on Kiawah our live oaks are majestic with their gnarled limbs reaching for the salt in our ocean air – you’d love them. One day I’d love to see your beautiful examples first-hand. They look equally majestic, and the thought of your fruit trees makes my mouth water!

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    1. I’ve been collecting trees for a week or so, Tina. Ever since Frank asked his question. No shortage around here but it set me thinking in a different direction, which is always good. Glad you enjoyed them too 🤗🌸💕

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  5. Jo, I’m loving your conversations with the trees, smiling at the ‘bad hair do’ comment and I would love to climb the other one. Once you start looking you can really see and imagine the individual characteristics of them all. The flowering ones are so beautiful and serene … and what a joy to see Spring is already well on its way in Portugal. Thank you so much including my post Duality of Walks in your Monday roundup of walks! hugs xx ❤️

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    1. I try to find variety in the walks I share, Annika, and I loved yours. Margaret might make you smile too 🤣 Another lovely day here. Bright and breezy and we’ll be off for a walk after lunch. Hugs back! 💕💕

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  9. Such wonderful photos, Jo. We once had a chance to visit Algarve in late spring and I was amazed by the sight of blooming almond and orange trees. Their sweet smell is something I’ll carry with me forever. Thanks for sharing and have a great day. Aiva 🙂

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  11. And now I’ve got The Ink Spots in my head singing “I talk to the trees” and I know it will be there all day. I may even have to dig out an old CD of 40s songs and play it just to get all the words – and to hear that deep, velvety voice again that I’d forgotten. A blast from the past indeed.

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  12. If trees could only talk ………….. but yours do, Jo. Lovely comments from them and so apt. Do take a photograph when that almond orchard is in blossom. I bet it’s fantastic.

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  13. A wonderful walk!
    I love your gnarled tree trunk – such wonderful colours on that aged trunk, and even more cracks and wrinkles than I see when looking in the mirror, which is so reassuring!!
    The lemon tree is just amazing; I’ve seen fruiting oranges, but never lemon trees with such heavy production – the total opposite of the gnarled trunk, but equally wonderful!
    E 🙂

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  19. I’m going to label this post as poetry that gladdens the heart and images that please the eye . Jo, this was a walk with a difference . I think by now I’m familiar with Algarve’s beach and its well worn paths thanks to your previous posts but the trees with their own quirky characters made me smile. I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into your beautiful world, Jo. Thank you for sharing it.

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    1. It’s all down to Frank, really, Sheetal. I’m walking a variation on our lanes because the beaches are closed to us at the moment. It can get tedious, but this is such a beautiful time of year. A little mad talking to the trees soon cheers me up 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!

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    1. There’s a lot of it out there, Margaret! Every time I venture into Facebook I’m offered another challenge. I’ve resisted so far, but Annika’s looks beautiful, and did you spot that Erica was doing one too? 🙂 🙂

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