Originally Posted by mobertol (Post 1028174)

This one is for Sue -as she didn't see them flowering in Madeira. This is in the garden of the Hotel I go to on Garda. Was taken in September.

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 1028186)

Thanks for the Strelitzia, Dianne - not sure whether I like them as a flower but they are certainly striking. I am more into the cottage garden type of thing.

I see we have just clocked up page 200 on this thread - well done all!

Today I'm moving on to Cape Verde and starting with some flowers and other odds and ends.

We were supposed to go to two of the islands but thanks to rough weather on the way only managed one stop, Mindelo on Sao Vicente, a shame because I think the other, at the capital, Praia, would have been more interesting.

The islands were Portuguese until about forty years ago when they became independent and they have suffered since then. The infrastructure is lacking and they have suffered famine, mainly due to drought from lack of rainfall. They are supposed to be an up and coming holiday destination but I don't think it's penetrated to the island we visited. We saw one new holiday development but it looked a bit half hearted. The climate is hot and humid every single day with very little rainfall and the island was very barren. Again the islands are volcanic and for those of you who remember my pictures of the Svalbard archipelago near the North Pole - the mountains are like that but without any snow!

It was a Sunday when we visited so most of the streets in my pics look fairly deserted but we were assured that on other days the place is thronging with life.

Anyway, here goes...

1. Hibiscus growing by the roadside in town
2. Close up of above
3. The leaves look like an acacia and there were plenty of larger trees about bearing lots of bean-type pods
4. Not sure what this is
5. Have to pass on this one as well
6. Grasshopper - there were lots of these about in the mountains. Not nearly as large and fierce as it looks!
7. There seems to be a tradition of visiting ships leaving their calling cards painted on the harbour wall. A lot were in this charmingly naive style. Four examples here

Originally Posted by davemac (Post 1028275)

Nice flowers growing wild, to some they are weeds. I would say 3 and 5 were mimosa, same leaves and pods, if it were not for the flowers, which don't look like them.

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 1028294)

These two look more like the kind of flowers I snapped.

Acacia | Acacia trees, Acacia wood
TrekNature | Acacia Photo

Originally Posted by mobertol (Post 1028369)

Nice photos Sue -I do like my flowers! My mum has beautiful Hibiscus growing in her garden. Love the hand-painted boats/signs!

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 1028423)

The boat pictures were really charming and fun - not seen anything like it anywhere else.

Today, my first batch of snaps from Cape Verde...

1. Rock with a lighthouse on top through the porthole - our first sighting of Cape Verde
2. Ship in harbour, showing the barrenness of the landscape
3. They are doing some experiments with wind turbines
4. The harbour, with town behind and spectacular mountain
5. It was Sunday and the locals were enjoying the town beach
6. Smart building on the sea front
7. Courtyard in old building converted to arts centre
8. The main market
9. Inside the market - it was closed, being Sunday, but we were allowed to look inside. Remind you of anywhere?
10. Government building

Originally Posted by davemac (Post 1028430)

Interesting architecture, very colonial

Originally Posted by davemac (Post 1028432)

2. Walking up to the waterfall, I noticed someone under the overhang, certain parts of my body tightened.
3. I hope I wont get probed.

Originally Posted by susie123 (Post 1028433)

Well you're still here to tell the tale so you obviously didn't get abducted - unless they let you go?

Originally Posted by davemac (Post 1028430)

Interesting architecture, very colonial

Originally Posted by davemac (Post 1028432)

Today in Pictures. a bit of a moist outing.

1. The end of the rainbow was just behind that wall. The wet bit is Jackhouse Reservoir.
2. Walking up to the waterfall, I noticed someone under the overhang, certain parts of my body tightened.
3. I hope I wont get probed.
4. The point at which I do a left turn.
5. One of the streams that feed into the reservoir.
6. Almost at the edge of the woods.
7. At the edge.
8. Another of the streams that runs through the woods.
9. Looking toward Pendle Hill, the colours are the sun reflecting off the rain in the clouds. The sun is behind me, a long way behind, but behind never the less.
10. Looking off to the right of my position.

Originally Posted by mobertol (Post 1028468)

Lovely set of photos Dave, back to your natural watery habitat! I wonder who thought to give the alien a shower? I particularly love the rainbow and the heavy,illuminated skies in number 9 has great depth to it. When i saw your silouhette in number 10 I thought "Wow! I'd crop that and frame it." to bring out the effect -hope you don't mind me doing it for you!:o:D
If you download it and look at it full size (instead of thumbnail) it's quite spectacular!