Another lovely walk was through the Gardens of Quinta do Palheiro Ferreiro. A property belonging to the Blandy family.
They boast some of the most valuable and rare exotic plants on the island. Starting in 1885, the Blandy family has developed the gardens to a today’s Mecca for botanic lovers.
They are renowned among other things for the splendid Camellia selection – but unfortunately we arrived after that intense bloom. On the other hand – there was so much else to see. Here is a short gallery:
The garden is situated with a beautiful view over Funchal, and luckily we had it all to ourselves for an hour or two. I’ll give the plant names a try: First out – a Gladiolous, in a fabulous combo of colours, Gazania, then some slipper flowers (yellow and red), a crassula (Buddha’s Temple?) and some beautifully cut and trimmed hedges.
Next are bluish and pink flowers in Watsonia, Brunfelsia and I guess a Risp. The last picture shows a Japanese Pagoda tree.
This was a relaxing and interesting visit to one of Madeira’s most renowned gardens. I recommend a visit if you go to Madeira!
So, let’s go back to challenge #20 titled Open Sesame: Doors and Doorways, hosted by Tina. This time it is Sofia who will make us look back…
Doors can lead you to other worlds, or to what is behind what is in front of you.
– Stephanie Torbert
Inconspicuous doors might hide treasures too…but I prefer very old doors – with patina. The first gallery is from a walk in Rome.
Three doors from Rome to start with. One of them a lost door in Ostia Antica.
More Madeira, with everything from a cartoon family to a restaurant with the menue handpainted on its walls. The door is invitingly open!
On a walk in Monte’s tropical garden, we found an enchanted door…
Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else. ― Tom Stoppard,
Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.
– Eugene O’Neill
The Rila monastery in Bulgaria holds numerous beautiful doors and doorways.
More mysterious doors – I still wonder what the message said in that note … The second one is the entrance to the Ice Hotel. ( Reindeer pelt on both doors. ) The last one I found in the cat city of Kotor, Montenegro.
Back to Madeira – These three green doors were all found on walks in Funchal. The first one leading to a vineyard, the next ones to an abandoned house – and a pair of abandoned shoes. Doors do say something about the owner too…
Finally, I have to finish with two of my favourites – a door and a gate – both in Tblisi, Georgia. Both faded beauties, once elaborately made. What would I find in there, if I walked up those stairs or disappeared behind the gates? Another world for sure.
We’ll enjoy your posts as we revisit Tina’s challenge of 2018 and hope you will have fun! Feel free to follow some of Sofia’s suggestions, or all of them. Maybe you know the story behind the doors and doorways you pick? Remember to tag Lens-Artists and to link back to Sofia’s original post so we can find you.
Last week was my, Ann-Christine’s, challenge on Fairs, Markets and/or Festivals. These are the cultural events that define a society, and it was great to see what you had found from around the world. Next week it is Beth’s turn to lead us, Saturday 23rd August. Until then, take care and enjoy your days ahead.
This garden is worth a visit every time. It’s a tropical plants’ Paradise with origins from the 17th Century, and a totally calm and harmonious place to stroll any time of the day.
Monte is situated high up in the hills, overlooking Funchal. The paths wind through the green hills and the soothing sound of water is everywhere. Even if the views are great from the streets, the view from the church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte, is worth walking all those steps.
I hope you enjoyed the walk as much as I did! Going down again? There’s an optional ride from olden days to take…
…expensive, but a must try once you are here. The wicker and wooden sledges started transporting people from Monte to Funchal in the 19th century. I guarantee you will be in safe hands sliding down the cobbled streets.
You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.
– Walter Hagen
We have all been to a market or fair at least once when we were children. Some of these are still fun to visit as grown-ups, even if we don’t buy anything. It is the joy of an abundance of fruit and vegetables, flowers, people…And often everything for sale is elaborately exposed.
Here are some of my summer memories from such events. Enjoy the season and the smiles, and then – I’d love to see some of your memories too! They can be from any fair, Farmers’ market, Christmas market, or maybe a carnival? From your own country or from abroad – feel free to choose whatever you have in store!
Life is a lot like jazz… it’s best when you improvise.
– George Gershwin
Ystad Jazz festival last week – Good music, lovely people and beautiful, creative art! (And ice cream of course…) Jazz maybe attracts mostly grown-ups and elderly people, but they do bring their children and grandchildren too. (And dogs) Hoping they will get hooked on the feeling?
Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.
– Hans Christian Andersen
Every year there is jousting at Hovdala castle – our nearest castle just 10 kilometers away. I used to go when one of my students was in the competitions. Fun for all ages. Knights, horses, castles and fair ladies!
To me, flowers are happiness.
– Stefano Gabbana
Finally, Madeira – the lovely land of flowers. When we visited for a week in June, we came upon several different fairs and markets. They have quite a few over the year. One of them had a sustainability theme. At the harbour they had put up big hearts for life and painted recued PET bottles as a ceiling.
A big Thank you to John for another turn of learning last week! I truly enjoyed seeing examples and tips. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with this week! Next week we will have another chance of ”Looking Back”, with Sofia at the helm. Be sure to visit her beautiful site for more!
Leya 
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