Poinsettia tree

The poinsettia in Madeira is a far cry from our little Christmas pot plants. This photo doesn't really give the size, but this tree towers over the allotments and bananas beyond the Lido.

Maybe you saw the BBC4 programme about three islands. Hawaii, Madagascar and then Madeira. Giant dandelions and foxgloves and even spiders (on the Desertas Islands) were featured. The programme, "Madeira, island ark" looked at this special environment (which Darwin spoke extensively of in his famous research).

I had several emails from friends after it was shown, saying that they hadn't realised how fascinating this natural miracle could be.

Sadly, packing.