Sunshine Again

 

Oh it's now a lovely Sunday morning and our sun has returned.  The temperatures are warming up after that cold spell.  Still plenty of snow on the mountain and the surrounding hills, but down here below it's good weather for sitting outdoors with a book, hanging out the laundry or going for a walk.

 These are some of my weather photos from the last days which include the birds that come to visit my bird feeder.

Looking out with a zoom towards the Orotava Valley:

Yesterday was sunny too.

Our red trumpet vine is growing like a weed after we had so much rain.

I was recently in the Botanical Garden and again marvelled at the size of the Ficus Macrophylla.  

Below is one of the many photos I've taken of the tree:

Ficus Macrophylla (Moreton Bay Fig)

Through the window:

Brugmansia this morning:

 This morning there was a flea market at the supermarket.

I had a good look at the brass ornaments and was tempted to buy a gazelle.  I have two lovely old brass camels which I bring out at Christmas time and have since been looking for a third one to complete the scenario of the Three Kings.  But I decided the gazelle really didn't look enough like a camel.

And so I bought two little pots of thyme for planting in my garden instead.

Have a lovely weekend!

Thanks for dropping by and do come back again for a visit.  Until then...¡Hasta la vista!

Chilly in Canarias

Snow on the hills of Las Cañadas de Teide National Park

We've been having a cold snap lately as a low pressure area with very low temperatures has come to the Canary Islands and southern Spain.  Luckily it is now moving away but temperatures are still unusually cold for this time of the year.

Recently there was new snow on the Teide volcano with the snow level being the lowest ever, enabling local people to see and play in the snow, many for the first time in their lives.

The Teide volcano, the highest peak of all Spain at 3,718 meters

As a weather and cloud watcher I'm taking daily photos for a local forum.  

Here are some recent photos I've taken of our area.

The blackbird brings his lady friend to breakfast at my bird feeder.

And the dove also brings a friend along for some food

March rain on my back patio

A thunder storm approaches

Minnie listens to thunder

A double rainbow in a dark sky

Sun and large clouds during unsettled weather

Some brilliant sunsets after the rain

And with the sun again a blackbird sings in our garden:

Thanks for your visit..and do come again another day. ¡Hasta la vista!

Lazy Days of Summer

Minnie Sleeps

It's been too long since I last posted to my journal and I apologize for the long interval. This summer has been very busy with activities that have taken me away from blogging. Reorganizing and painting rooms, a lovely visit from my sister and friend from Canada, touring the island and taking classes and exams, which are now over. Oh and I almost forgot....I had a major disk crash which put me out of action for more than a few days!

So I think I'm now able to continue.
Here is a photo of Plaza del Charco in Puerto de la Cruz, taken in May from an upper floor window.

May: Plaza del Charco - Puerto de la Cruz

For June....what better than a bowl of chilled gazpacho at La Quintana Restaurant in Alvaro's Tennis Club, in La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz.

June: Gazpacho Andaluz

For July...a wander through the shady streets of Santa Cruz, Tenerife.

July: Santa Cruz in Summer

And for August, a bouquet of many roses picked from my garden:

August: Roses from the Garden

I've made a slideshow of summer photos taken when my sister and a friend visited the island. We drove up the volcano Teide, visited Santa Cruz, went out to dine on tapas and visited a couple of beaches. Click here if you would like to follow us on our island tours.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer.

Goodbye for now and I promise not to be away for so long next time.

¡Hasta la vista!