Strelitzia Reginae. PoliXena

Hi dear friends, this is a gift for all of you, a flower wich is very common and popular here. It can be found almost everywhere and it´s named also bird of paradise due to its form. I took this photo last Sunday, near my house.

This very handsome flower is native to South Africa. It was introduced to European gardeners in 1773 when it was part of a shipment of horticultural specimens bound for the Royal Botanical Garden of King George III.

Strelitzia Reginae was named after the king's wife Queen (regina in Latin) Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Strelitzia).

It symbolizes Freedom, Magnificence and Good perspective. I think that these are great wishes for today, have a nice Wednesday. Hugs, X. xxxx

Near my house. Polixena

This park is close to my house... two minutes walking or so. It´s a very big park (67.230 m2) wich is filled with wonderful trees and plants and lots of sculptures.

It´s in the middle of the city and its creation started around 1920, part of the money that the townhall used to create it was donated by the citizens.




It´s a very peaceful place, where you can read, rest or just have a sun bath. I try to go there at least once a week, it´s such a pleasant experience to stay there for a while.

Have a nice day, hugs, X. xxxx

In front of the Book Store. PoliXena

This is a photo of a tree near my house, I took it last saturday. It´s in front of my favourite books store so I see it very often.

I don´t know its name but it´s beautiful... and it is not alone, there are a lots of wonderful trees around here.

You know I was born in a volcanic, almost desertic island, so the first time I came to this one I was amazed by the beautiful flowers wich bloom everywhere due to the warm weather and the rain... And all year long because the winter is very soft.





Now that I have more free time and my life´s pace is softer I´m enjoying them again.

It´s stunning how the landscape changes depending on the isle you are. Each one has it owns climate...architecture, morphology and so on... some of them have precious beaches and others damp forest... so you can enjoy a great diversity just moving a bit. Have a nice rest, X. xx

Large flowers - from jangold

In the continuing weather in the centre/northern part of the UK I've been forced to post outdoor pics from other places. I loved the 'large' flower that Gwyn posted, therefore, I wanted to share these two pictures with you. I took these in Mauritius and are from the famous Pamplemousses Garden there. The one on the left is from the lotus pond and the one on the right is from the more famous giant water lily pond. The pictures do not do these justice and many of these lilies are up to 2 feet in diameter. If you want to see more pics from the garden please check out: http://www.travelmauritius.info/pamplemousses_garden.html Jan