Travel Theme: Flowers

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Photo challenges

Despite being known in Spain as Flor de Pascua (Easter flower), thousands of Poinsettia plants adorn roadways and roundabouts here on the southern coast of Andalucía, around Christmas-time each year.

What you actually see are vivid red leaves (known as bracts) surrounding a cluster of greenish flowers, almost too small to be noticeable. The true flowers are like little vases no larger than a pea, and on its side each has a yellow cup, a gland, brimming with glistening sticky nectar that, if you taste it, is as sweet as honey.

The plant is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American diplomat and amateur botanist, who saw it growing in Mexico as a roadside weed and later introduced the first plant into the US in 1825.

This post is my response to the Travel Theme photo challenge – Flowers

Other interpretations:

52 Pick Up – Flowers

Have you ever ….

Flowering snapshot of a January day around the garden

Back to the Future: An Evening at the Medieval Market

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs, Places, Slice of Life

During the past weekend, a Medieval-themed market took over the main square of the white village of Torrox in the heart of the Axarquía region. Organized by the Ayuntamiento (town hall), there was lots of medieval bunting to transport you back to the 15th century, with suitably dressed character actors to set the mood.

There were various stalls selling crafts, jewellery, cheeses, traditional craftwork in metal and wood, as well as lots of food.

Huge wooden chess tables had been set up for anyone to enjoy a game of chess in the evening sunshine.

The most popular attraction was in one corner of the square where there was a roped-off area with many different birds of prey on display. Their handler gave a demonstration of the birds´ hunting prowess, which thrilled and delighted the crowd, especially the many children. The birds appeared to be well cared for and made an impressive sight sitting on their perches, patiently waiting their turn to swoop over the gathered crowd.

All of the bars and restaurants in Plaza de la Constitución had their outdoor seating areas overflowing with people all eating, drinking and enjoying this year´s Medieval Fiesta!

I have merged my responses to this week´s Photo Challenges: Travel Theme: Tradition as well as the Weekly Image of Life: Colours.

Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:

All at sea with the Virgen del Carmen

Photographs I love …. and why!

Flowering snapshot of a January day around the garden

Fifty Shades of Grey: What´s going on?

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Slice of Life

The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plains – but today it´s arrived east of Málaga! I can´t remember when it last rained in July.

Anyway, I´m sure it wont rain for long and it´s great for the garden as well as the toad who came out to enjoy the unusually damp weather!

It hardly ever rains here in the summer months. The following posts are more typical of what to expect, east of Málaga:

Summer Breeze – makes me feel fine

Phew – what a scorcher!

East of Málaga: The Weather in Summer

Summer Breeze – makes me feel fine

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Slice of Life

I wonder if the Isley Brothers found the inspiration for their classic 70s hit “Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind” after a visit to the eastern Costa del Sol on a warm, summer Mediterranean evening?

If they did, then the heady fragrance of the flowers of the Dama de Noche (otherwise known as the night-scented jasmine, lady of the night or, to use the Latin name – cestrum nocturnum) was surely the catalyst.

By day, the Dama de Noche masquerades as an upright, fairly ordinary looking shrub with dark green leaves and large clusters of small, lime green buds, with no perfume.

As dusk falls, however, the buds open into white, star-shaped tubular flowers and their bewitching, intense scent is wafted around on the breeze and can often be detected for hundreds of metres around.

Every evening at this time of year, I throw all the windows open in the house to allow the perfume to waft inside.

Such a wonderful summer memory!

You should also have a look here:

Photos from 35,000 feet: Approaching Málaga

La Noche de San Juan: Families, fires and football!

Shopping Centre (Centro Comercial): El Ingenio

All at sea with the Virgen del Carmen

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Marianne under Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs, Slice of Life

In a festival that dates back several hundred years, many coastal towns and fishing villages in Spain celebrate the Fiesta del Día de Virgen del Carmen as the protector of mariners and fishermen.

Every year on 16^th July, spectacular maritime processions of decorated fishing boats known as jabegas head out to sea carrying their precious cargo, an effigy of the Virgen del Carmen, to bless their fishing grounds.

The vessels, many decorated with brightly coloured flags and bunting, each crowded with people, gather under the late dusk sky patiently waiting for the official party of sailors, fishermen, clergy and authorities to bring the Statue of the Virgin on board the boat that will lead the procession.

But before that, the Virgen del Carmen is paraded through the streets for all to see. There is an air of excitement with people surging forward for the best views as the parade passes by, before making its way to the water´s edge.

Celebrations vary slightly from town to town along the coast, east of Málaga. My photographs show last night´s celebrations in La Caleta de Vélez, situated at the mid-coastal point of La Axarquía.

The video below shows the celebrations held last year in the town of Torre del Mar, just along the coast from La Caleta de Vélez.