BOUGAINVILLEA TIME

I am slowly beginning to understand the flower seasons here. After the showy leaves of the acanthus flowers have died back, it is time for the yearly show of cascading Bougainvillea. This papery flower has a long season and blooms even in draught. Last summer mine died back because of a white microscopic growth that locals call “mal di bianco” (the white bad) but after I treated it with soap and water rinses, it bounced right back and produced well in the fall. Then this year, I cut it way back. I want to add a coral color and a red to my current fuchsia colored one in the center of the front garden.
After yesterday’s cold and rain, the likes of which we hadn’t seen since early April, we had a clear partly cloudy day today, and we took a ride to photograph my favorite bougainvillea bushes. We also found fields of artichokes that had not been picked and that had turned into fields of large purple flower dancing in the sunlight. While on out ride, we thought we’d look for the new tourist hotel for 1,500 people that opened in our area near Selinunte. The place is tucked into a hillside and I wonder how close to the Mediterranean the tourist agents say the place was. It does have a nice pool, but unless you have a top floor room, it is tough to see the sea from there.
Ignatzia and Paolo baked bread this morning so on our way back we went over there and we picked up pranzo. Hot bread and spreads, cheese and fresh tomatoes, basil and oil is great. We also checked on the progress of the helicopter pad that is being constructed across the bay to accommodate former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, who will be visiting our area for a wedding in mid June. Looks like exciting times for us here in Baia Renella!