Lisbon Jacarandas

Lisbon in May is when the jacarandas are in bloom, arching over avenues, pavements outlined in blue, parks scattered with the flowers. Saw them everywhere today.

They were brought from Brazil (jacaranda means "fragrant" in Guarani) in the early 19th C, when the Portuguese Court was exiled there - initially for the Botanical Gardens, but then the seeds given to whoever wanted them. Apparently, they will flower again in September, which is when they flower in their original hemisphere. See one of them in Praça D Luís, with a very relaxed lion (extra).

Today I got the metro and a bus, but also walked a lot, aiming for the National Art Museum in Santos. Some good art, beautifully arranged in a gorgeous 17thC palace, once owned by Pombal, the guy who rebuilt Lisbon after the Earthquake - but the best bit was the gardens overlooking the Tagus, filled with trees and flowers of every sort, including jacarandas. I sat with a coffee and listened to blackbirds singing.

Gratefuls:
- all Mike´s family together and having a great time at Dan and Abigail´s wedding in Yorkshire
- finding perhaps even better ice-cream than Nannarella´s, called Daverro; I had coconut, pistachio and salted caramel cheesecake, and they were all superb
- it cooling down a lot today, much easier for walking