Good morning all,
My apologies for jumping to the conclusion that the rest of the world will know our european holiday destinations as well as we do.
The second largest of the Canaries, Fuertaventura is only slightly smaller than Tenerife and twice the size of Lanzarote. With a population of about 60,000 and a practically rainfree climate all year round (average 16 days per year mainly between December and February), the island itself is very barren with a distinctly unspectacular landscape due to more than 20 million years of erosion and weathering. We stayed in Corralejo at the northern tip of the island with views over the Atlantic to Lanzarote and the tiny island of Lobos...a curious uninhabited volcanic protusion, a haven of calm and tranquility which we visited for a climb to the top of Montana Lobos, the seabirds, the unusual plants and the spectacular views back to the main island.
All these islands provide the perfect habitat for cacti and the dedicated gardens near the zoo on Fuertaventura are truly spectacular with many acres of magnificent specimens (Lanzarote also boasts wonderful cactus displays, especially at the Jardin de Cactus, north of Arrecife, which boasts over 1400 species and well over 10,000 plants).
A good number of the images in my posting were taken in the pretty and well-managed zoo where the birds were housed in large and spectacular walk through aviaries.
Not, of course, an 'alpine' destination in any shape or form, but I hope this posting illustrates that members of this wonderful Rock Garden Club can be stimulated by plants and nature images of every type and persuasion.....though I may personally draw the line at summer bedding displays in parks and gardens. (Shudder, shudder).
