Country Life

Evening, pip ... glad you've caught up with me ... Remember, someday you really, really will.

Yes, it was done in beer batter ... the best! Actually, I first knew about this from a Lancashire friend who lived in Wray.

 

Have you found out the name of that red aloe.
How big does it get before it flowers?
Is it potable?

Beer batter, first came across it in Newport,.... Oregon, a long time ago.

 

Evening, pete.

Could be the A arborscens ... the candelabra or scarlet aloe which can reach 2-3 metres tall. I would guess it blooms after 5-7 years ... just a guesstimate??? It's VERY large, a metre a least. Yes, I guess it would be potable ... does this mean something ????????

I could ask my friend, Stu, tomorrow as we are going to the garden centre Christmas staff lunch (staff lunch ????????) but he wouldn't know as he asks me everything. :rolleyes:

He's renting the centre out as of the first of the year for five years so we "have" to meet the new "proprietor", a Brit named Malcolm ... hmmmm.

Oregon ... hmmmm ... interesting ....

 

Here's the last visit around my adopted country for 2007.

The weather was fantastic so Isabel had her roof down and up into the Monchique hills we went.

First we went to the Parque Biologique (which was closed) so I could photograph these chappies (from the roadside) ...









And stumbled across these fellas ... sorry, I was having a bad camera day using additional lenses and cocked thins up royally ...







Completely blurred the one with the tail feathers up, but found this little beauty, who reminded us of our dear Candi ...



... to be continued ...

 

... Monchique continued ...

So up we went ...











... and down we came ...



... I hope you've enjoyed the trips with me ... till next year ...

 

Looks like you had a lovely drive out today, Sis.

I didn't know that you could see the ostriches from the road, or were they not in the zoo on the way up to Monchique?

 

That looks nice part of the world to live, roll on spring down here!

 

Thank you Pro Gard ... just saw your photos from today ... looks like you like the wide open spaces also.

No, Sis, this is not on the way to Monchique. That one is a privately owned "zoo" for breeding of endangered species. I understand the man who owns it works on the oil rigs just to keep it open ... that's dedication.

Parque Biologique is behind Silves, turn at the side of the cemetary and go up. It's run by the County/Forestry Commission/such like. I shall have to look it up and see if it's on the net to find out it's actual purpose.

 

Beautiful pics LoL.

One day I will be in a position to take pics of that sort of scenery on a daily basis.

Maybe 2008 will be the year Mrs Pip and myself take the plunge.

Best wishes to you both for the forthcoming year.

 

Doesn't that blue sky get boring!!

So you may be one the move again pip?

 

Evening Strongy

Always been a dream of ours to live and work in the sun. Buying this house was/is phase one of our plan.

 

Lol, I certainly do. Aside from gardening, hill and lowland walking is my other passion.

 

Great stuff LoL love them sort of roads up or down the steeper the better.

 

Thanks fellas, and best wishes to all of you and your families for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.

No, strongy, some might though! Same again today I'm afraid!

Wouldn't mind going down the hill walnut, but not so sure about up ... it's very steep, we were already quite a way down ... but then, you've done the Andes and Alps, haven't you? :eek:

 

I've missed out a few weeks as I don't want to bore everyone, but went up into "Acacia country" which is the foothills of the Monchique Mountains, today for lunch so took a few pics.

Ours really come into their glory in February so strongy is way ahead of us. Even though they are just starting to bloom, the scent is incredible just driving through them ... especially with the top down. :D









There are lots along this little riverlet ..



... to be continued ...