Hints of summer

The weather has been unstable lately, and we actually had a nice storm a few days ago. However,  summer is not far off.

Time for lunch by the sea.

 

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Or dinner – pure magic.

Sunset
Sunset

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A mini break on some nearby island.

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Andros Hora. Photo by Mariella Edgerly

Andros, with its lovely town and ruined Venetian fort. A mere two hours from Athens.

Andros Hora. Photo by Mariella Edgerly
Andros Hora. Photo by Mariella Edgerly

 

The jacaranda is in bloom, but not for much longer. This is Rigillis street in Athens.

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The bougainvillea is out.

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The oleanders are starting up,

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So is the lavender,

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And the geraniums.

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And it looks like we’ll be getting plenty of figs later on.

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Does anyone know what this flower is called?

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85 thoughts on “Hints of summer”

    1. This year we started swimming in April, can you believe it… The sea was freezing, of course. But this says something about the climate, seeing as the rest of Europe is flooded as we speak…

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  2. Is the last flower Agapanthus? Not totally sure on that. Lovely post. We are sailing in the Ionian and wonder when the weather will settle. We had a lovely sail today to Petriti, Corfu. Your photos sre great, I love all the flowers at this time of year.

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  6. Your flowers are similar to ours in CA. In Central CA, where I live, it’s either too hot or cold for the jacaranda, but they are prolific in Los Angeles. I did not know the agapanthus, but I’ve seen them in gardens here. Gorgeous pictures. I’d love the dinner by the sea! 🙂

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  11. I enjoyed your lovely photos and went on a mini-vacation in my mind.
    I’m in Southern Calif. on the coast, where we have a profusion of Jacaranda’s, geraniums, and bougainvillea of all colors. The Agapanthus,which I have several of, are also called Queen of the Nile. There are shorter more compact varieties called Peter Pan’s, which come in a blue violet color.

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  15. The last flower is definitely an agapanthus – which come in white as well. Here in New Zealand it grows everywhere and is a noxious weed! I hate the things!!

    My only question on seeing your photographs was – What is left later for Paradise?

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    1. If I was a gardener of your caliber, it would be a different story… As it is, I rely on watering and weeding a little. But perhaps I should weed the agapanthus, judging by the comments here!

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  20. Your agapanthus is beautiful! I had a very rare pink one in a previous home. We get jacarandas too, but in late October/early November, which is our spring. The tree that says summer to me like no other is the poinciana (Delonix regia), which is the ‘Christmas Tree’ of the tropics, because it’s always in flower at Christmas.
    I agree that eating beside the sea is special; I have a particular place I go to when I have a picnic lunch, with a view of empty beach, sea and a few islands and boats. Food always tastes so much better there.

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  22. Lovely flowers. I tried growing a bougainvillea here, but they don’t seem to like the wind. Of which, in Wellington, we have plenty. And I smiled to see the agapanthus – I have several, both blue and white, in my yard. They’re good for adding splashes of colour where nothing else will grow, but can spread alarmingly – both from the base of the original plant and by their seeds. Hence Bruce’s warning about digging out the seedlings.

    However, they may be more restrained in Greece than they are here!

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    1. After all the warnings in my comments, perhaps I should dig it up immediately! I certainly didn’t plant it – it seems to have appeared on its own. I’m a terrible gardener and tend to let nature take its course…

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  23. Lovely photos. We also grow all these flowers in California. Can’t quite figure out what was for dinner – anchovies or sardines, feta cheese, and sliced potatoes? Of course everything is delicious when dining by the water.

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      1. Well, I think I liked it better when I thought it was potatoes. LOL

        I wouldn’t mind if the agapanthus took over the asparagus fern which have taken over our yard. BTW, they are also called lily of the Nile. I love them.

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      2. Yes, I’m sure octopus is an acquired taste! One you are born with, if you’re Greek, I suppose, since you see toddlers munching it before they have proper back teeth (it’s quite rubbery)!

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  31. Beautiful pictures Marina !
    Funny how we have all the same flowers over here , and octopus too (although I’m not a fun it’s a hit in the region I live in , but as you say you have to start young to come to like it ) .
    My mother loves agapanthus (she doesn’t seem to have a problem with them) and hydrangeas too , but she lives near Sintra where she has a whole lot more rain than you or me .
    Like you said , you like us may have a huge crisis , no jobs , bad politicians , and so on and so on BUT our countries surely are astonishingly beautiful 🙂 if we can keep enjoying nature it does help a bit 🙂
    Turtle Hugs

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  32. Stunning photos. Those I saw via Instagram brightened a cold, rainy, winter weekend. The table by the sea took me on a lovely virtual escape. The flowers & plants interestingly are all abundant in Australia.

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  38. We have all the same flowers in Florida, but I don’t recall ever seeing the agapanthus before. It is gorgeous. I loved this photo tour so much, thank you. Greece is in my dreams.

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  39. Beautiful, inviting pictures. We have had SO much rain in the UK so far this summer but seems to be getting better. Must visit Greece – it looks wonderful and that food – Mmmmm!

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