Jo’s Monday walk : a floral dance

You may remember last fortnight I had a mild flirtation with the trees here in the Algarve. I enjoyed it so much that I thought I might get a little closer to the ground this week. Across northern Europe, Spring is beginning to bloom. Here it is already well established. Shall we dance?

  • Mimosa shimmy in the breeze
  • Marguerite sway, in more stately fashion
  • But blossom…
  • can reach the dizzy heights of the floral dance

Life may have its limits for us humans right now, but nature doesn’t seem to have noticed. Colourful blooms burst forth with exuberance, and we can only try and replicate the joy of their dance. Remember Terry Wogan’s terrible Floral Dance? He was never without a smile.

Bees buzz and twirl in partnership with the wild flowers that carpet the land. Yellow seems to predominate in amongst the luxuriant green, with here and there a spike of deep lilac or a smudge of blue. The dance can lead us up to the hills or out towards the sea, dipping to stroke and admire, filling our senses. The white broom shivers seductively in the hint of breeze, its days already numbered.

  • Gates control the flow of salt water
  • Shadows dancing as we tread the narrow path
  • Gently brushed by soft white broom
  • The sea so near, tantalising, but out of reach

Filled with the serenity the sea can always bring me, I turn my steps inland. Here the cistus are flirting with the hills, dancing in wild abandon.

  • Tiny blue stars sparkle in the shade
  • While one cistus finds a strange partner
  • And another basks in warm sunshine
  • But all are outshone by the flouncing skirts of this beauty

Much water has flowed down these hills this winter, and the gurgle of a stream we sometimes cross has become a clamouring torrent.

  • The stepping stones have vanished
  • Beneath the frolicking water

Time to turn our steps for home, but the dance is not yet done. Almost on my doorstep, the blooms still court my attention.

  • Flamenco red lanterna
  • Aeonium pulsating with colour
  • Delicious jasmine scents the air
  • Ameixa (plum) or pessego (peach)?
  • And my very own bougainvillea

The softness of an Algarve Spring is all around me. A world full of softness and abundance. I hope that Ann-Christine approves.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #137 – Soft

walking logo

Walks proliferate this week. I noted in my Reader this morning that there are a couple of others and I’ll include them next time. Please try and visit each other. I’ll be back in two weeks. Join me next time on Jo’s Monday walk.

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A volcanic lagoon seems like a great destination to me. Thanks, Graham!

A walk around Kiholo Bay

Fancy a bit of a climb? Carol will make it worth the effort, and fill you full of wonder :

Don’t Count, Just Go Up!

Where There is Water

Marsha and Vince are enjoying territory new to them :

#Prescott Walk 5: Peavine Trail

Prescott Walk #6 Willow Lake Trail

Drake is a man who loves an adventure in the snow :

Snowy walk

While Lady Lee simply loves snow!

February Love Me 14

Did you ever see such icicles? Wrap up warm, Rupali!

Weekend 115: Let’s walk together – A glimpse of real life

I think it’s warming up a little where Yvette is!

Walk with Jo and Thoreau Quote: Deal with brute nature. Be cold, hungry and weary.

The stuff of my dreams, with Gilda :

Hiking the Rugged Cinque Terre Coastline

Scaling the heights with Sheetal was ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. Truly!

Story of my Spirited Hike to Daulatabad Fort

Much easier but less thrilling, unless you play with the Bunsen Burner, a low level walk with Denzil :

The Eikelberg Walk in Gelrode

English villages are easy on the eye. There’s usually a pub and a church. Join Shazza in Lancashire :

Bolton-by-Bowland walk

And it’s always easier reading a book than walking, but Mel likes to do both :

The Highs and Lows of the South West Coast Path, GB

Love a stroll in a city by the water, just looking at life? So do I, and so does my friend Cady :

Just Strollin’ in Oslo

Twelve years ago I spent a special birthday on Madeira. Lovely memories rekindled for me by Becky :

A hiking adventure in Funchal

That’s all for now. Feel free to join me any time with a walk of your own. Take good care, and have a happy March!

149 comments

  5. The blue borage is a lovely sight and you can’t have enough blossoms in spring. The almond trees were a first for us as not overly grown in NZ.

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  7. Pingback: Jo’s Monday Walk: Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm – Cee's Photo Challenges

      1. On the contrary, I liked the word usage. Very descriptive and very appropriate for the images. I can’t remember the last time I saw ‘flounce’ used and it’s such a good word. Forget settling down, rather keep it up.

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  17. There’s nothing more beautiful than the first spring blooms. When I think of spring, the first plants that come to mind are the bulb flowers as they are dominant in Ireland, but I am week at the knees for spring flower trees. Thanks for sharing and have a good day. Aiva 🙂

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  19. You definitely had a great walk! I envy those blooms, so flamboyant.
    I can´t dance but with these Floral tunes, I can´t help but to join.
    Lovely bougainvilleas,makes me think of warm summers and cool breeze.

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