Roundabouts - 1

When I was teaching in S. João da Madeira almost 20 years ago, it was known as the "roundabout capital" of Portugal. Roundabouts were beginning to replace the traditional intersections with traffic lights. There seemed to be a "roundabout madness" and buses and other longer vehicles had difficulty negotiating some of the ones built where there just wasn't enough space.

Now every town has many and besides being useful, they lend themselves to artistic efforts. The middle of roundabouts vary from the simple circle to the weird and wonderful. The one in this picture must be a nightmare for the gardener. How does he manage to keep the grass trimmed?

Don't you think the sculpture looks a little lost there?

"We dance round in a ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and knows" - Robert Frost

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - September 2015

It's the 15th again! Here in my hardiness zone 10a garden on the south coast of Portugal it rained for a few minutes, while the north of the country is under heavy rain and strong winds.

There isn't much blooming in my garden after a few months of very hot and dry weather. I was away for nearly three weeks and although my neighbour came and watered every day the heat has taken its toll. The belladonna lilies are not complaining, though.

They are livening up an otherwise dull rose bed.

The oleanders are keeping the other side of the garden colourful.

And the hibiscus is doing its best along the side wall.

Hopefully there will be some roses next month.

Now I'm off the May Dreams Gardens to see what's blooming in other parts of the world.