Where is this?

These surprising images (for those who don't live here) are of the Aljaferia in Zaragoza. It was built more than a thousand years ago as a Moorish palace, and has gone through various transformations and restorations. For example, there is a deep dry moat which was added to the defences in the late 16th century and later filled in, to be restored in the 1980s. As well as a tourist attraction, the Aljafreia contains the  very modern Aragonese parliament.

Jupiter tree

It's all gone now, but last month the jupiter tree was in bloom; at least I think that's what it's called....at least it is or might be in Spanish. Anyway, it's a lovely little tree planted on a roundabout down the road from us.

By the time I took the photo it was past its best. The figure on the right is the statue of a dancer. There are four of them in the garden on the roundabout. 

Footnote: in English it's crape myrtle or  crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, belonging to the 

loosestrife Family. Pity. Jupiter tree is such an evocative name!

Here's one I found in Cambrils, called plumbago. It's a beautiful colour.

Also called leadwort in English, the alternative names in Spanish are celestina, jazmín del Cabo (Cape jazmine) or jazmín del cielo (heavenly jazmine). Prettier names for such a pretty flower.  

2014 Here's this year's tree.

Home crop

After several years just growing, our vine has produced a crop this year. It's not much, but we're really pleased with the grapes.

Mountains

I spent July working in Scotland. Most of the time I was indoors, walking along long corridors to get from one campus building to another. Every now and then I took the bus to the centre of Edinburgh, either sightseeing or to the shops, most of which sell tartan for tourists. To go from the Georgian part of the city to the old city you can cross the North Bridge. The view of Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat is startling; it's amazing that you can see wild-looking "mountain" from the centre of a city. One Sunday afternoon I joined the line of people walking along the rough tracks to the peak of Arthur's Seat. For a mountain peak it's very little; only 251 metres above sea-level, but the views on the way, as well as at the top are spectacular.

There were quite a lot of days in July when the sun shone more in Edinburgh than in Jaca, from what I heard! We were certainly lucky the day we climbed to Arthur's Seat, and saw the city and the Firth of Forth spread out below us.

June

Last year all my blackcurrants ripened in July, when I was in England. This year I have been picking a good handful every day for a week. It may not sound like much, but it's only one little bush in a very small garden!

Soon there will also be a dozen or so gooseberries. 

At the moment the fruit for sale in the shops is wonderful; cherries, peaches and apricots.  We are privileged here in the fruit we can eat.

Ordesa

It takes about an hour to get from Jaca to the car park of Ordesa National Park. the road is narrow and winding; it's not really very far, but you can't go very fast-at least I can't.  All the way there the scenery is spectacular, but it's put in the shade by the views in the park.

Tozal del Mallo

Mountains

Beech woods

We were lucky with the weather-rain had been forecast, but it didn't start till we were on the way back to the car. As we drove away we saw a young deer on the road. 

1st May

It's the first of May and it's pouring with rain!
Out of interest, I've just had a book review published by Awesome Books! You can find it at
 http://blog.awesomebooks.com/2011/05/ancient-rome-through-the-eyes-of-sam-spade-nemesis-by-lindsey-davis-9780099536772/