I am on holiday and therefore I must relax: at least that’s what Him Indoors keeps telling me. The problem is I don’t find sitting by pools or lounging about in the least bit relaxing. It’s not as if I haven’t tried it. I am a get-up-and-go kind of boy, and will be until my body says ‘no more’. Then I reserve the right to be grumpy and irritable, which is pretty much what happens now if I’m forced to sit still for longer than 20 minutes.

To Him Indoors’ credit he recognises (although doesn’t share) my dislike of inactivity and chose a hotel, not just with a stunning garden in its own right, but next door to the Taormina’s botanical garden, Villa Comunale (The term ‘botanical’ is applied very loosely in this instance, although the gardens are charmingly ecentric). I’ve had four days of delightful bimbling about, taking snaps of Mediterranean flora and getting ideas for my own garden. And, yes, I do feel more relaxed for it. Here are a few of my favourite iPhone shots from the last week.
Wishing you a relaxing weekend wherever you may be and however you choose to unwind.








Categories: Botanical Gardens, Flowers, Musings, Photography, Plants, Travel
You haven’t got a like button anymore, so I shall just tell you instead, I like this! It’s stopped raining here and a little sunshine, but feeling quite envious of your views.
I have no idea what’s happened there. Have tried a few things to see if I can fix it but definitely not relaxing! Am hoping for a fine weekend to catch up on gardening at home. Have a good one!
Sorted it! Somehow the like button had dismissed itself, but now at least I know how to add it back 🙂
Does Him Indoors do vacation planning for others? 🙂 I’ve got quilting, yard work and the laying of insulation to look forward to.
This is a first since we met 11 years ago. I normally do all the holiday planning, but Alex wanted a pool holiday and I didn’t, so he had to organise it. So far, so good. Quilting sounds fun, I think you can keep the other 2 jobs!! Have a lovely weekend Judy 🙂
Doing a good job as always. Keep sharing
Thank you! I will. Enjoy your weekend.
Beautiful place for a holiday, and lovely Hibiscus. I was lucky to spend some of my childhood in Malaysia where it is the national flower, I knew it as Bunga Raya, its Malay name.
I do love Malaysian words. All I recall from my trips there is Selamat Datang, which is reasonably useful I suppose 🙂 I get a bit transfixed by hibiscus, they are so delicate and yet so exotic. Don’t think I could tire of them. Have a lovely weekend.
To each his own, right? Your camera proves it’s equally lovely and relaxing on the run.
Thanks Marian. I wasn’t able to download any images from my SLR, so I hope there may be more and better to come! Have a great weekend.
Yup, I agree – relaxing=being busy!
I don’t think Him Indoors will ever really understand. I subscribe to the idea that a change is as good as a rest. Having had a packed 2 weeks I don’t even mind the thought of going back to work. (I might on Sunday night 😕)
What a lovely collection of vignettes! I laughed at those shady palm trees.
Yes, they were a bit too tall to cast any genuine shade. If they did, it was on the hotel next door!
Sounds like you have a great partner that understands your needs! I find laying around boring…much prefer to walk in the garden! Lovely photos!
Thanks Laurin. He knows how to make his life easier, put it that way! Have a wonderful weekend.
Looks like plants in my garden, bougainvillea, hibiscus, at least 7 varieties on my block, some cotton palms in the neighbours front yard with parrots fighting over who knows what, agave to name just a few. But I just absolutely love the yellow window shutter. Great pics as usual. I am jealous of your skill, keep them coming, it is a joy to see them
I loved the yellow shutters too . . . they’re so unexpected and so cheerful.
I’ve always fancied shutters on our seaside house Jan. Originally it would have had them. I think they’d need to be olive green though to blend in with the rest of the paintwork.
There’s something wonderfully classic about shutters. I find that a pleasing color blend sits well with both the eye and the heart . . .and it sounds like your olive green might do just that. The first house I lived in here in Arkansas was painted a dull blue grey and had mud red shutters. Every time I came up the drive the windows stared out at me from that color blend like sorrow-filled eyes. We repainted a pleasing Mediterranean blue with peach shutters. That worked for me. Glad you’re enjoying your vacation.
I nearly did a whole post about the house with the yellow shutters as I was so taken by the colour. Perhaps I still will! Thanks for your lovely comments Barbara 🙂