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
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!
Fancy a bit of a climb? Carol will make it worth the effort, and fill you full of wonder :
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 :
While Lady Lee simply loves snow!
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 :
English villages are easy on the eye. There’s usually a pub and a church. Join Shazza in Lancashire :
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 :
Twelve years ago I spent a special birthday on Madeira. Lovely memories rekindled for me by Becky :
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!
restlessjo 
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