At the moment the Algarve is covered in white and it is not snow, it is the almond trees that are in blossom.
There is a beautiful legend from The Algarve:
The story goes that an Algarve prince, who had brought his bride from a land far away in the north, was concerned about his princess melancholic mood.
Nothing would cheer her up until the prince, having discovered that her sadness was caused by her longing for the snow of her native land, had almond trees planted all over the province.
And one fine winter’s morning (that is late January early February here) the princess was dazzled upon witnessing a unique spectacle: the Algarve covered in a white mantle of snow-like blossom.
Asseca
Almonds – love them. They are not on trees here in Ireland, but in packets on the shelf in the supermarket. It must be like Ireland in April when we get the cherry blossom, white and pink and it is great for a few days and the wind usually spoils the spectacle.
I like the story about the princess from the north.
No Richard not quite like the cherry trees – the blossom lasts longer here; will tell you when the blossom is over. The colours are more white on an almond tree than cherry tree, or that is what I have seen so far.
I love the story too – could it be I am from the north?
beautiful… Here in the northern Algarve the blossom varies from snow-white to really pink.. they do special almond-blossom tours for tourists!
You got tourists up there? wow. LOL.