Personal favourites

The steps down the side of our house leading to the back garden and fruit and veg area. Taken at the end of May but already the lush greens of Spring have all but disappeared under the relentless sun! The two houses are more or less identical, built by the same builder who lived in the house to the right until he died a while ago and both properties were put up for sale at an amazing discount, hence my sister was able to buy the one on the left using a large redundancy payment as a deposit. It was all down to lucky timing!

Another garden rose (I could have saved the upload for a fence Friday but I forgot!)

Fresno de Torote. A nearby village to Algete where I now live. Spring 11 years ago. Perhaps better on full screen. I tried adding this to the group 'Clouds', which I joined recently but the group has dissapeared from my drop down list. Any ideas why, anyone?

Apricot tree in the garden. Apparently they should be ready in about a week. H. A. N. W. E. everyone! Additional note 2 days after posting - they're starting to eat beautifully now!

The Retiro Park, Madrid. I've liked this tree since my first visit to see my sister in Madrid, back in 1981 (and somewhere I may just have some slides of me, my sister and my old school French exhange partner all sitting on this tree! I will try and find them - but on reflection, they've long since disappeared, sadly!)

This bloomed last year for the entire duration of my hospital stay (covid-19). So I was pleasantly surprised this year to discover that it is very similar to the white variety, Constance Elliott, that I had in my garden in Pinner, Middlesex, England over a decade ago. This variety is called Blue Crown.

My sister's garden in Algete, Madrid. This one has a wonderful scent!

Another of my sister's shots (taken from the car). Possibly the only remaining poppy field in Algete after their mass eradication in recent years.

View from the upper terrace. Storm clouds swept through in waves all day yesterday. Appropriate song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G2-FPlvY58 (Sorry about the ad before the song but that's the most annoying aspect of Youtube!)

I went for some long walks around the old Redruth tin mining area and came upon this path under the former railway line (the railway line is now a minor road in this section). Possibly better on full screen.

Near my current home in Algete but I wasn't living here when I took this shot. It was taken on a visit to my sister's then home in a flat in Algete town. I have very probably posted this before but I felt it was worth another airing!

By the front gate, Valderrey, Algete, Madrid. Spot the swallow (or is it a tern or a martin? No prizes, just for fun!) The rose is named ALFRED SISLEY.

Convento monasterio de San Julian y San Antonio, encina (a very hardy holm oak) in the foreground and Cancho Largo, the highest point in La Sierra de La Cabrera on the horizon. Granite everywhere! Another very cold winter's day despite appearances! Suggest better on large.

My brother's garden in Bolingey, Cornwall. Taken by my sister last week

I STILL haven't seen a hoopoe in the flesh! This one paid a visit to my window sill (I have an office desk on this side of the window) on a day spent at the hospital for tests. My sister took this shot through glass. One day I might actually see one!!

A week or two later than last year but then winter did hang around much longer this year. UPDATE; for those who asked what variety of rose this is, I had forgotten that I DID find out last year, just before I was struck down with Covid and I have tended to forget knowledge acquired just before then. The name of the rose is ALFRED SISLEY..

Shot taken from the Bosque de La Herreria. These are oak trees, specifically 'encinas', much loved by Spaniards and fairly ubiquitous around here (holm oak in English). (On full screen perhaps)

A great soul has departed and ipernity will be the less without Marie-claire's kindness and beauty of spirit. Wisteria, front garden.