Flowers are everywhere in Madeira. This island has a perfect climate, warmed by Atlantic currents in the winter and cooled by trade winds in summer. This island celebrates flowers, friendship, food and the art of life every April. The town puts out carpets of flowers for visitors and residents to enjoy. Patterns and paintings done only with flowers run down the center of the cobblestone sidewalks.
Ready to Wear
It is hard to pack everything you need when you travel. I found a few things I could wear if I have a special occasion. Floral design and fashion meet in Keukenhof.
Where to sit?
A chair is not a simple thing, designs number in the thousands. Outdoor options which come to mind include the metal frame with the round back from the 50’s, the folding aluminum frame with the woven strips, and the more recent molded plastic. None of those were at Floriade!
The Willowman
Along the path to the Relax & Heal world of the Floriade Exposition is an opening leading into the woods. We almost missed it, we almost didn’t walk down the path. Since childhood you worry that in the dark and scary places of life you might not make it back. Something scary could be out there. It could be “Willowman” waiting for you! Will Beckers of Belgium, is Floriade’s Willowman, his card describes him as a Land Art Artist. His medium is natural materials, primarily willow saplings that grow like wild in the wet forest. Clearing the small trees from the congested forests provide the material for Willowman’s creations.
Parrish Church, Dover, England
The old stone Parrish church in Dover is near the city center, across the street from the Eight Bells pub. Behind the church is a small cemetery with gravestones dating back to the 1800’s. It was a blustery day, temperature in the high 40’s, the sun going in and out behind the clouds.
Castle Gardens
Fairy tales and history classes shape our view of English Castles. Lords and ladies, moats and minions, land and lances, were the bits and pieces of the story from a distant time and place. Today the story is more of restoration, preservation, wealthy patrons and historical foundations struggling to keep a piece of the past alive.
Sunday Afternoon in Vondelpark, Amsterdam
An April day when the temperature doesn’t rise above 50 degrees and the sun slips behind the clouds every few minutes doesn’t sound like a perfect day in the park. Yet in Amsterdam the park is alive with families, lovers, friends. They walk, their dogs freely trot alongside. They ride the most amazing bicycles bringing the children with them. There are at least three seats on a single bicycle.
A sunny day in Kuekenhof
We had the great delight of visiting Keukenhof Gardens on a perfect spring day. Together we shot 903 photos. We were overwhelmed by the beauty in every direction. Here are a few of the beautiful scenes.
Floriade
Once a decade the Netherlands Horticulture Council organizes an exposition celebrating the contribution horticulture makes to life. This year’s theme is “be part of the theatre in nature: get closer to the quality of life.” The event is equal to a World’s Fair of outdoor delights, nature, food production and beauty. Participants from around the world showcase their garden style, their horticultural production, the natural beauty of their part of the planet.
April Whimsy
Plant Whimsy
The sweetness of April arrives bringing spring’s green leaves, sprouts, blooms, and wildlife babies. The potential for delight could hardly be greater in any other month of the year. Garden visitors wander in with their expectations high. New gardeners, flush with knowledge, walk wide-eyed now identifying annuals, edibles and perennials. The serious horticulturalist seeks out specimens and hybrids, checking to see how last year’s new varieties survived the winter. Landscape designers explore the style and flow of the garden. Plant fans hurry in to see the collection of their favorites, be they bamboos, orchids, agaves or roses. There are so many opportunities to enjoy and explore a garden. Yet whatever category you find yourself, if you are visiting a garden in April, you want to be open to whimsy.