Hobbies and Crafts

The Western trip can have lunch included but we didn't. It stops at porta Moniz for two hours before returning back to Funchal. There are two restaurants across the road. We have used both but one is more up market than the other and does a lot of fish. We are walking so much during the day that we nly feel like going local. We are using the courtesy car not buses.

Hi Ann, when we did the Western trip there was one set price that included the lunch so everyone had it. But it was well worth it. We had a table for four with another couple and on the table when we arrived was a bottle of red wine, a bottle of white wine and a bottle of water and we had a tasty 3 course lunch with coffee, so it seemed to be good value for money.

We did eat in the more upmarket of the two restaurants opposite the hotel and I have a vague recollection of having sea bass. The first time we went to Madeira the other restaurant was lovely and we had 2 or 3 meals there so we were disappointed to see that it had apparently changed hands and gone downmarket.

The trouble with the courtesy car is that it only takes you in and out of Funchal, or am I wrong about that? We enjoy the experience of public transport when we are abroad (and believe you me, some of it is an experience!). One day we had a coffee in Funchal and then got the bus out to the Palheiro Gardens. It cost us 1.25 Euros on the bus and the same back and we had a lovely time there.

Back to the garden thread ......... yesterday I planted up one of our troughs with a dozen sedum type plants. As soon as I finished we had a hail storm and when I next looked the whole trough was covered in ice. Makes you wonder why you bother doesn't it. I'm just going out now to take some fuschia cuttings ready for a plant sale in June. I think I had better keep them indoors till I am sure they have rooted.

So far we have not really had time to explore by bus as we have spent a lot of time exploring Funchal itself. Tomorrow we hope to go and find the Jesuit church.
Yestéday we took the two cable cars to the Botanic gardens and then explored the village of Monte with the church. Did you go on the wicker toboggans?

Soak up the sun and warmth Ann, it is really cold and wet here.

Gwynn the cowslips will look so lovely and bright. We had lots of daffodils on the side of the road going out of the village. Such a pretty sight but well past their best now.

Vera, one trough planted up but still quite a few to go yet. Good luck.

It is lovely to see the neighbouring trees all in colour with cherry blossom, magnolia, red acer and snow pear tree. It makes pegging out the washing an absolute joy.

We went to Monte but gave the toboggans a miss Ann. Did you go on them? As Kandj says, make the most of the sun and warmth. If things don't improve you will want your thermals when you get back. I think we have had a year's weather in a day today - sun, cloud, light rain, heavy rain, hail, snow, back to sun and now it's raining again :-|

Btw, I can recommend a good tulip - Prinses (or Princess) Irene. I am so impressed with it. OH planted 50 bulbs in late autumn. They all came up and came in to bloom about 3 weeks ago. They still look great and because they don't grow too tall, they seem quite sturdy. They have certainly withstood everything the weather has thrown at them in the last few days and haven't flopped at all. They are also the most gorgeous colour. I've put them as my avatar but the picture doesn't do them justice. I'm not a good photographer and probably took them at a funny angle. Google them and you'll get a better idea of what they look like.

Here's hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Lovely colour tuips Vers will look out for them.

No we didn't go on the toboggans, not our scene but we enjoyed watching those who did.

Same sort of weather here as you had yesterday Vera. It could only happen in England

We have also been overjoyed with the tulips I planted last Autumn. I rarely plant tulips but after this year's colourful show, I will be looking out for more to plant this year, and I'll Google your suggestion and maybe plant this on your recommendation Vera.

Enjoy the warm weather Ann. Wear a woolly jumper for your return home!

Our beautiful Pieris Forest Flame shrub is looking very sorry for itself.
What was an absolute joy to see with the new bright red growth has turned
to rust/dark brown colour...... never seen this happen before. Very strange.

Could it have been frosted?

My thoughts exactly Ann, but it hasn't ever happened before. Hope you are
liking the warmth because it's blooming cold here!!

We lost our pieris to frost a few years ago Kandj.

Yes enjoying the warmer weather and not looking forward to the cold tomorrow. What on earth happened to spring this year?

Looks as though the weather here is improving Ann. Today has been sunny and warm out of the wind and the forecast for the next few days is looking better.. I think you went away at just the right time. Have a safe journey home tomorrow.

OH planted two of my troughs up this afternoon, so that's 3 down and only 15 to go, lol. He has put 2 sarcacocca plants in each and filled the the space in one with white viola and the other with mixed busy lizzies. That long, boring path is looking better already.

EDIT: Is your pieris in an exposed position Kandj? Cold winds can do a lot of damage to plants.

2nd attempt - 1st vanished. Serves me right. Closed down before saving. Mealtime more important. !! Gardening is another hobby. Noticed. "Suffolk Vera" has a reduced garden area. Is there an. "ALDI" store handy? Recently a gift received came from the local store.. A raised garden bed. Timber construction. Requires a screw driver to put together. "V" shaped. Legs form "X" shape. Placed at the ends One at either end. About 30inches wide, Approx. 4ft length. Height approx. 3 feet .
Full construction leaflet provided with product. I placed plastic sheeting inside before filling with home produced compost. Gave it a good coating of wood stain preservative which was harmless to plant life before use. A friend informed us later
we would be pleased with it having the identical product from the same store.

Thanks for your interest and suggestion Caldervale. Unfortunately, the Aldi wooden trough wouldn't work in the area I am trying to cover.

I'm trying to brighten up a long, narrow path down one side of the house. Whatever I put there has got to be able to balance on the French drain, basically pebbles, which runs all the way along. Also as the path is already quite narrow I don't want anything wider than about 12".

I think the troughs we have bought will work OK. They will butt right up against each other and there won't be any spaces in between them. OH will make sure they are all level so hopefully it will look like one long run of plants.

Thanks again for the suggestion. I'll bear it in mind when I get around to looking at another little "dead" area beside the garage.

Interesting about the Aldi trough. I will pass the message on to our daughter as she was talking about getting some raised beds done.

And , hello Calderdale, I don't think we have spoken before. :-)

Pleased you are home again Ann, and Hello to Caldervale. Nice to have you join us.

The pieris flame forest is near the front garden brick boundary wall Vera, its gets partial sun and has done well for over 30 years, so I don't think I will lose it... well
I certainly hope not. The white lily of the valley type brackens look healthy enough so
that is promising but it was just a shock to have the bright red new growth we were enjoying and suddenly looking and seeing the dull brown/rust that is there instead.
Time will tell....... watch this space, I will keep you all informed.

I hope the pieris survives Kandj. 30 years is a long time to keep a plant so it must be happy there.

We went out to the garden centre and came back with a trolley full of plants for my troughs. We got heuchera, a low growing marjoram, a lovely little dwarf perennial viola, a dwarf aster, campanula and penstemon. Of course we got several of each and OH looked a bit shaken when the assistant gave him the bill but I just keep telling him how lovely it will be when it is done.

Next thing is to order some mini hostas I have seen online. Then we will be nearly there. Then I might let Himself have a week or two of peace before I break the news to him that I want to do something with a narrow strip along the side of the garage ;-)

I am finding the pieris irritating to look at, so I have decided to go out tomorrow and
cut all the brown growth off. The lily of the valley brackens are same as always.

No prizes for guessing how you have been filling in your time Vera..... ssshhhh, your secret is safe with us. We wouldn't dream of telling your OH what you have in mind!

I underestimated how long it would take us, (and how much it would cost us), to fill our troughs up the side of the house. Twelve down, six to go. I have some mini hostas on order that will fill 2, or possibly 3, more though they aren't being delivered till the first week in June. It's already looking so much better along that path.

Up until today my tulips were still blooming beautifully, although just beginning to open out, and the crab apple has been smothered in blossom for the last couple of weeks. Today's heavy rain has put paid to that - all the tree blossom and all the tulip petals are now on the ground. At least I won't have to water the pots and troughs tonight. There's a silver lining in every cloud :-D

It is a beautiful start to the day here in Yorkshire. I plan to work in the garden again.
It's good to look out of the window and see a virtual weed free border for all my hard work and aches and pains.

We are happy (and relieved) to see new growth of red leaves appearing on the
Pieris Forest Flame that we have had in the front garden for over 30+ years. Great!

Vera, you both are doing well filling so many troughs.... keep up the good work.

Hope Ann and hubby are having a good holiday.