Bits and Pieces

This bougainvillia seems to flower all year round.  

In full flower at the end of winter

and underneath our 'rural' post boxes

After years of asking for these boxes the council have finally made available mail boxes for 22 families that live up over the hills at the back of the island.  We were lucky to be one of the 22 to be given a key.  Mind you, they know what a fuss would have been made if we hadn't been one of the first to be allotted a box.  A loud voice gets served first here.

We still have to go 5ks down the mountain to empty the box but we 'save' , hmmmm, one kilometer not having to go to the postoffice.  The postman only comes up the mountain daily to feed his goats and other livestock.  He doesn't come up to deliver mail!

Painting the garden furniture.  The wooden and bamboo chairs were looking faded and tatty after 5 years in the searing sun.  I painted most of them but got a little help from the family too.  No sandpapering.  I paint only.

Most chairs, tables, doors, windows, shutters, houses here are painted blue or white.  I prefer this dark green colour for the outdoor furniture.  Blends well with the green of the grape vine surrounding the verandah

Not the clearest of photos.  In the middle of the picture is a gas burner to keep off the chill of these spring evenings.  Outdoor eating is wonderful but there is still a nip in that night air

Sunset over the 'sleeping lady'.  The outline of the hills on the horizon look like a woman lying on her back with her knees in the air

Our English neighbours returned bearing gifts.

'Mature farmhouse cheddar, made on the family farm'  and preserved in a thick layer of wax.  The best of english cheddar.  Just the right measure of sharpness and taste.

Also a beautifully wrapped package of Highgrove Orignal Fudge.  All profits go to the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation.  Boy, is it moreish.  I eat it a crumb at a time.  Heaven in a classy little box.