The 'Delargo Towers' Garden - May

After one of the sunniest (if not warmest) Aprils on record, May has turned out to be cold and damp.

Hey ho every thing is growing away and starting to flower.

I am rather proud of this osteospermum,  my nephews first ever cutting last year, is now a rather handsome plant

The changes in the garden from the beginning of the month and its end are rather marked

the wall flowers evidentially finished this month and are being replaced with dahlias'

The roses are in bud

The window boxes have changed

With new window displays for the Summer.

Out back, things are starting to look lovely.

big changes here to. This is the main bed before our trip to Spain.

And when we got home.

Foxglove, Allium and the Aquilegia from Colina rd all looking fab.

Last year we grew Nicotiana Mutabalis from seed. At one point we didn't think we would get them through the winter but they are coming into flower and look marvellous.

Each of the many little flowers in the spray open white and turn a deeper and deeper pink.

California poppy, sweet peas and Holly hock all doing well.

As our ever increasing collection of pots.

With more 'babies' to come.

Our hand crafted planter is full,

The Apples have set,

and we now at last have a garden worth sitting in.

June is about to burst out all over, 
So hopefully it should warm up a bit and the sun will shine.

Till next time then my lovelies.

ttfn

Tapa a Tapa

Here we are me dears back in Blighty after a fab hol in Sitges and Barcelona.

Quite by chance our little jaunt coincided with the annual Sitges Tapa festival. 

How lucky was that !

The town  hosts the "Tapa a Tapa" event and "The Tapa of the year"  which is one of the great gastronomic happenings in Catalonia. 

Some top chefs such as Ferran Adrià have elevated the tapas concept to the category of "haute cuisine".

we managed only to tick off a few but our absolute favourite was definitely El Donostiarra.

It was also very close to the hotel, beach and the gay bars.

Very friendly and the food was fabulous 

Next to my wine and sunglasses is a tapa which was -

Chorizo / Tortilla /Foie gras / Tortilla / cured pork loin on a slice of baguette.

After 5 days of sun, sea and Tapas it was time to leave our friends who were travelling home separately.

On the very last day, the weather changed. Gone was the amazing sunshine and 30C heat to be replaced by cold and damp.

Luckily with a late flight we had already earmarked the day for a troll around Barcelona.

Not knowing the city and refusing to pay €30 to sit on a tour bus we ended up in the medieval quarter which was amazing

From there, up the Rambla

By chance we stopped at the most delightful cerveseria for lunch

Having grabbed the last table outside we were pleased to find that an half hour later there were masses of people trying to get a table both inside and out.

Pork fillet with cheese in a very yummy little baguettes 

Tortilla with brochette and a very nice glass of Spanish Rose'.

With out question the best meal of the holiday.

After more wanderings around the city we found the station we needed to get to the airport.

...and took another well deserved rest. 

More needed than enjoyed. it still hit the spot.

It has been compared to as Barcelona's equivalent of London's "Angus Steakhouse" which is a little harsh.

Barcelona has three main railway stations. 

We needed Passeig de Gràcia For the airport .

If you are entering Barcelona for the first time I strongly recommend you stay on the train and alight at Estació de França ( that's France not Franco by the way )

 A truly fabulous and memorable holiday. Fantastic weather and great company.

I would just like to add that I hope the 2 guys that stole my phone in Sitges both rot in Hell

ttfn