迷花

 

PURPLE  BOOK 3

 

 

迷花

Fascinating flowers

 

庭院裏的春天，格外動人。

The spring in the courtyard is particularly exciting.

 

西班牙  科爾多瓦

Cordoba, Spain

 

“瞧，那麽多的院子，那麽多漂亮的鮮花，難道你不想把自己家也打扮成這樣子嗎？”這來自我心底的聲音，如同一尾潛於水底許久的魚，見到水間折射而來的絢爛天光，耐不住要跳出來了。那樣的渴望和欣喜。哎，薰衣草，石榴花，還有鬱金香，這就是傳說中的科爾多瓦庭院節吧！在一年一度的科爾多瓦庭院節，年輕的騎士要駕著美麗的馬車，穿越鄉野前往Linares神殿向Virgin女神朝聖。而老百姓中也熱鬧非凡，展開了庭院裝飾競賽。這一日的科爾多瓦，每一個陽台都綴滿花草，每一個庭院都閃耀著春天，格外動人。

 

“Look, so many patios, so many beautiful flowers! Surely it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to decorate your home like this.” This voice coming from the bottom of my heart is just like a fish which has long been concealing itself at the bottom of the water and couldn’t help jumping out on seeing the brilliant sky light. I excitedly crave for it so much! Oh, lavender, pomegranate and tulip as well. It is Cordoba Patio Festival, isn’t it? During the annual Cordoba Patio Festival, young men drive beautiful coaches across the countryside to go on the pilgrimage of the conquering Virgin of the Linares Sanctuary. The people there also busy with Balcony Contest. On this day in Cordoba, every balcony is adorned with plants and flowers, every patio is sparkling with delight in the beautiful spring.

 

 

 

細語緩步之間的花街天堂。

Gently talking and slowly strolling in the heaven of flower streets

 

西班牙   巴塞羅那   卡布藍裏大街

St. Cabranli, Barcelona, Spain 

 

 

   不到卡布藍裏大街，你無法明白鮮花是怎樣影響一個城市的表情和氣質的。卡布藍裏大街，巴塞羅那當地人稱之為“鮮花大街”，這條筆直的街道穿過市中心古老的卡斯佩爾街區，街道兩旁“種植”著百年以上曆史的古老建築物。之所以是“種植”，因為那不是簡單的矗立，是如同在土壤出生長出來一樣自然而和諧。沿街遍布商店、酒店。色彩絢麗的招牌和酒幌，是招惹風景的情致。15米寬的主街，兩邊栽滿高大的法國梧桐，綠蔭婆娑、儀態挺拔。來自加泰羅尼亞山區的花商們出售自己培育出來的鮮花，將這裏匯聚成為一條花香浮動的河流。雖說卡布藍裏大街是巴塞羅那市最繁華的商業街，但是這裏卻安靜得出奇，既無人大聲喧嘩，也不見有人高聲討價還價。隻見當地居民和遊人邁著緩緩的步子，靜靜地或是細心觀賞花卉，或是買花購物，人們說話時幾乎頭挨著頭，盡量壓低聲音，生怕破壞了靜謐和諧的氣氛。花商們身著古老的民族服裝，總是笑吟吟的迎客，沒人拉客搶客、強買強賣。若不是看到路邊的招牌，花商們慈眉善目的模樣，很難把他們同商人扯到一起。因我的理解，這是一種對原鄉文化的堅持和固守吧，看似浪漫隨意的西班牙人，其實始終恪守著心底所尊敬的禮儀，生怕一點點的疏忽，都會驚擾到上帝賜予的如此美景。

　

Without going to St. Cabranli, you cannot understand how flowers affect the qualities of a city. The residents of Barcelona call St. Cabranli a

Flower Street

. This straight street goes through the ancient Carlsberg Borough located in the downtown of the city. Over one-hundred-year-old buildings are “planted” along road sides. The reason for me to say “planted” is that this ancient building does not simply stand tall and erect and that it seems to grow up from soil, natural and harmonious. Shops and hotels are all along the streets. Colorful signboard and shop signs are rather attractive. The 15-meter-wide main street is sandwiched by high plane trees which stand there tall and straight with branches swirling. The florists coming from Catalonia are selling the self-bred flowers which converge to make a fragrant river.Though being the most prosperous commercial street in Barcelona, St. Cabranli is surprisingly tranquil with neither hubbub nor aloud bargains. Everywhere you can see that both local residents and foreign visitors, walking with slow steps, either quietly appreciate diverse flowers or carefully do shopping. When talking, people nearly have their head close to each other, but they try to make their voices as lower as possible for fear that the tranquil and harmonious atmosphere should be destroyed. Wearing both the traditional clothes in ancient styles or smiling faces, they warmly welcome visitors without scrambling for customers or doing forced buy and forced sale. Without seeing the signboards at roadsides, you would find that it is hardly possible to connect the florists’ amiable countenances to businessmen. As far as I can understand, it is to persevere in and stick on traditional culture. The Spanish seem to be romantic and to do everything at will, but in fact they always scrupulously abide by the etiquette and ceremony which they worship from the bottom of their hearts lest the splendid scenery given by God should be damaged with even a little bit careless.

 

 

西班牙小鎮的瑰麗奇境。

The magnificent wonderland in the little Spanish town

 

在夢的街口反複重演。

Restage at the crossroad of dream

 

Mojacar  安達盧西亞

Mojacar in Andalusia

 

Mojacar，是安達盧西亞風景秀美的小鎮，麵臨蔚藍的地中海，訴說著幾個世紀的時間變遷，這裏仍舊保持著摩爾人的過去，車停在山腳下，拾階步行，隨蜿蜒石頭小路曲折而上，在中心廣場，品上一杯咖啡，慢慢體會藝術家不盡的靈感之地。除了一些遊客，街上寂靜得出奇，白色外牆，鮮花點綴，陣陣橘香，緩緩沁入心脾，抬眼遠眺，綠色平原裝點著度假別墅，藍色的泳池，青色淺黃淡粉的屋頂，平靜的海灘一望無際地延伸，這是色彩豐沛的印象派風情，這是西班牙贈予我們永難磨滅的綺麗的夢。

 

As a little beautiful town of Andalusia facing the blue Mediterranean Sea, Mojacar is saying the changes which have taken place in the last few centuries.  Something about Morisco has still been preserved. You may just park your car at the foot of the hills and then go up along the winding trail; and finally, at the central square, a cup of coffee in hand, you may slowly relish the artistic atmosphere here. Except for some visitors, there is nearly nobody in the streets where it is surprisingly quiet. The white outer walls are adorned with flowers and the fragrance of oranges gladdens people’s hearts. Looking into the distance, you’ll see that the green plain is dotted with holiday villas with blue swimming pools and roofs in diverse colors such as dark blue, light yellow or light pin. And the peaceful beach stretches as far as one can see. This colorful scenery is just like a picture in expressionist style which is really an indelible and beautiful dream given by Spain.

 

按圖索驥，在金科.帕提歐

Searching in 金科Patio according to map

 

找到記憶中的夢園。

You’ll find your dream patio hidden in your memory

 

恍若被色彩大師調教過的地中海，簡明而經典的藍白色，為一切想象可及的豔麗配搭預留最廣闊的底色。金黃色流淌，紫色蔓延，赭石沙黃、斑斕青綠、好看的糅雜在一起。在這視線迷失的絢爛裏，記憶卻化作岸邊一枚淺淺埋在沙灘的白色貝殼，安靜守望，唯恐遺失每個瞬間的風景。我驚異地發現，在帕提歐，原來按圖索驥，真的找到記憶中的那枚貝殼。在六朝帝京，皇家之地。金科.帕提歐，湯泉深處的鮮花紅堡，在西班牙主題的水庭之畔，在活力開朗的情感建築和在美侖美奐的園林之中，會帶我進入西班牙小鎮的瑰麗夢境嗎？

                                                       

Here, as if painted with brilliant colors by master, is just like the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll find that the simple but classic blue and white colors have formed a magnificent ground color which is as rich as what you can imagine. The golden color is flowing and the purple color is stretching. Reddish brown, sand yellow, gorgeous dark green, diverse colors are exquisitely blended. Within this amazing floridness, your memory has already turned into a white shell which is shallowly lying under the beach and quietly awaiting there lest any splendid scenery should be missed instantly. To my great surprise and delight, in金科.Patio, I have really found the shell in my memory according to a map. Where does it exist? It is just lying in the ancient city which was taken as a capital by six dynasties, in金科.Patio, in the red castle adorned with beautiful lowers, in the depth of Tangquan, at the waterfront with a Spanish theme, and among the emotional buildings and wonderful gardens. Can all these bring us into the elegant dream of a Spanish little town?

 

 

會所門前的兩棵大樹。

Two big trees in front of the door of the guildhall

已恭候我數十年。            

Have been waiting for me decades of years

 

我的步，緩緩而踏實，在質感溫暖的石板鋪成的地麵，我用腳步演奏西班牙悠揚吉他。西班牙雕塑噴泉是水的幻想之神，迎接我的到來，道路兩側那兩棵胸徑寬闊的大樹，樹冠的濃蔭遮了天空，陽光在空隙裏撒下明暗錯結的影，是無聲的律動。光陰的流轉沒有讓他們衰老。他們遠道而來，成為守護這座城邦的智者。跌水池在步道的中央。把水和石的心氣兒都和諧地融在一起，樹木倒映水中，水中樹，石中水。而我隻有感歎天工造物的奇幻了，接下來，就是靜靜欣賞了。

 

My steps are slow and steady. On the flag-stone floor with a warm feeling, I use my steps to play the beautiful Spanish guitar music. The sculptural fountain in Spanish style is the fancy god of the water who is welcoming me. The two big trees stand at both roadsides.  Their tops keep out the sky and the sunshine comes through the branches and leaves. The shadows, dark or bright, are soundless tones. They have not been worn out with time. Coming from far away, they have become wise marksmen who are defending this castle.

The pond is located in the centre of the walking area. The water and the stone are combined in harmony. The reflection of the trees in the water is excellent. Looking at the trees in the water and the water among stones, you will have an amazing feeling. We are in deed deeply moved on seeing the magnificent scenery made by Nature, and what we should do next is silently appreciate it.

 

 

那湖心的火紅花島，

The flame-red flower isle in the centre of the lake

 

是波光影調吟誦的十四行詩。

Is a sonnet chanted by glistening waves.

 

毫無疑問，這裏是水的歡場，引自東泉的溫泉水緩緩注入千餘平米泳池，即使在寒冷的冬天，這裏也是流動不息的。在中心島，滿鋪的紅色花朵毫不吝嗇地鋪張熱情，如水麵燃點的火焰，泳池駁岸的曲線，仿佛十四行詩的韻腳般，優美濃情，流連顧盼，就連池邊樹木也是被風情浸染的，臨風玉立。

 

Doubtlessly, here is the pleasant place of water. Coming from the hot spring East Spring, the water slowly flows into the swimming pool of over 1,000 square meters. Even if in cold winter days, the water here still does not cease flowing. On the central isle, the red flowers are enthusiastic as if being flames burning on the water surface. Like the rhyme of a sonnet, the curve of the bank of the swimming pool is so beautiful and emotional even the tall and erect trees elegantly standing on the bank are deeply moved.

 

遊泳池岸

The bank of the swimming pool

 

遊泳池岸，是人們水中嬉戲之後休憩放鬆，閑情交談的絕佳地點。

The bank of the swimming pool is the best place for getting relaxed and chatting leisurely.

 

樹木倒映的泳池

The swimming pool with the amazing reflection of the trees in the water

 

臨池的樹木倒映季節的色彩，淺淺的池水，讓孩子安全地玩耍嬉鬧。

Is a good place for kids to play safely in the colorful season.

 

用銀杏寫意人生的

Write our life with gingkoes

 

時間廊。        

In the time gallery

 

溫泉泳池在我身後，目送我邁步走上5米寬，40米長的銀杏大道，經過這條大道，我將去到那翹首以待的風情建築群中。而這條以最富光陰寓意的時間步道，卻是每每讓我感懷人生的所在。20棵高大的銀杏樹，挺拔向上。如同侍者恭臨主人和禮賓的到來。驕陽清風中的春夏濃蔭，金黃天幕下的秋之私語，林間矮凳上的冬日暖陽。在每個朝露清晨，落日餘輝，在樹陣間的水洗石路上漫步思考，坐在樹池上靜休身心。耳畔似有西班牙風情雕塑小品訴說的那些動人的異域傳說。

 

The hot spring swimming pool behind me is watching me stepping up

Gingko Boulevard

, 5 miters wide and 40 miters. Along this boulevard, I’ll go to the elegant buildings which I have been longing for. Pregnant with profound meaning of time, this street, only for walking, always makes all sorts of feelings about my life welling up in my mind. Tall and straight, the twenty big gingkoes are just like servants waiting for their mater and like hosts waiting for distinguished guests. Being bathed in the mild breeze in spring, under the cool shade of these gingkoes in summer, under the brilliant sky curtain in autumn, or even under the warm sun in winter, people can enjoy a good time here all year round. Either the morning dew or the setting sun can make you engrossed in thought so long as you walk on the stone trails among the big trees. You can also get relaxed by quietly sitting and musing on the banks of the pools as if hearing the touching stories about foreign countries which are told by the little sculpture in Spanish styles.

 

 

 

 

銀杏大道

Gingko Boulevard

 

整齊排列的銀杏樹陣，是社區中令人流連的景觀場所，也是寄托業主悠逸心情的時間步道。

 

Arranged in good order, these gingkoes provide the neighborhood both a good site for scenery appreciating and leisurely walking and a best place for the owners to repose their nice wish and leisurely mood.

 

西班牙景觀雕塑。

Spanish scenery sculpture

 

將風情一瞬，化作永恒之美。

 Turn the instant scenery into everlasting beauty                                  

 

在帕提歐，那些取自西班牙傳說的主題雕塑，用石材雕刻，處處流露著尊貴的宮廷氣息。他們為我的夢園積蘊了濃鬱西班牙風情。疊水噴泉、迎賓池等均是西班牙皇家園林中極為重要的構成元素，他們都用馬賽克鋪底，以斑斕的色彩描摹著一個藝術豐沛的國度所擁有的縱情才華，作為主景區的重要景觀布置，雕塑和小品的精神象征更是在第一時間打動人心。

 

Based on Spanish folklores, the theme sculptures in Patio were carved with stone and the honorable manner of palace show up everywhere. All these sculptures have accumulated a rich Spanish flavor. As the most important elements of Spanish royal gardens, both fountains and pools have a mosaic bottom. Their brilliant colors displayed the graceful manner of a country which is full of arts. As the most important sights in the main scenery area, the sculptures touch us at an early time with their spirits.s

 

 

林間的生態溪水，

The ecological water of the stream in the woods,

 

在冬天依然潺潺流淌。

Still runs in winter.

 

我的驚異和好奇，是這裏的溪水。直接引自東泉溫泉水的生態溪流，不必看冬天的臉色。即使在寒冷的天氣裏，依然潺潺流淌，為帕提歐寫下永恒蜿蜒的風情。道路兩邊的樹木，搭起一道綠色的走廊，濃蔭密布的景觀步道，同時也是一條隱形的消防通道。保證主人的安全。

 

What makes me surprised and arouses my curiosity is the stream water. The ecological water comes from the natural hot spring – the East Spring, and therefore winter is not fearful at all. Even in cold winter days the water can still run smoothly so that to provide an everlasting elegant manner to Patio. Trees along the roadside make a green gallery which is not only a boulevard for walking and sighting but also a secret fire-fighting passageway providing a safety guarantee to the owners.

                                                                                                    

林木間，小橋流水，沿著溪水的脈絡，橋連接了不同景觀區域的驚喜之處，讓景觀瞬間靈動起來。

 

Little bridges and flowing water can be seen everywhere among the woods. Connected each other by the stream water and bridges, diverse scenery spots are enlivened at once.

 

                                                                 20P

 

越過溪流上的小橋，

Across the little bridges over the streams,

 

是家人歡聚的樂園。         

There is the paradise for happy family reunion.

 

孩子們的笑聲，從越過小橋的時候就彌漫開了，這裏是主廣場，也是整個社區裏溫情濃鬱的場所，一幕幕動人的幸福場景，都在這裏被反複播放。歐式花壇裏正是鮮花盛放，水池中，粼粼波光閃耀。年輕的夫婦和稚氣的孩子一起嬉戲，鶴發老人牽手坐在休閑椅上微笑觀望，全家人的歡顏都在這裏綻放著，鄰裏之間親切招呼，談天說地，或是一邊悠閑的健身。這樣的景致，怎能不令人動容呢？

 

The laughing of kids can be heard everywhere across the little bridge. Here is the main square which is also the most affectionate place. Numerous happy scenes are shown here. The flowers are blooming in the flower beds with the European style. And the water in the pool is glistening. Young couples and their lively kids are playing together, while the white-haired aged ones are sitting on the benches smilingly watching their families. All people in the neighborhood live in amity with each other. A scene of harmony is presented here through a friendly greeting or lovely smile. How can it be possible that a person cannot be deeply touched by this moving scene?

 

小孩子的天堂，色彩豔麗的遊樂園，陽光、清風、花草鮮活的生長。在主廣場區，專門為兒童設計的玩樂場所是表達家庭親情的最重要場景，以家族中未來一代為中心的和睦畫麵成為這裏永不過時的溫馨景觀。

 

The colorful children’s playground, sunshine, breeze and diverse plants.  All of these turned this place a paradise for kids. The children’s playground in the main area of the square is an important place to express the kindsfolk feelings. It presents a scene of harmony shown by the new generation of the families.

 

主入口的景觀通道也設計為銀杏樹廊，具備濃鬱的歡迎氣息和儀式感，西班牙手工石柱上的陶土花盆中，熱情似火的花朵在驕傲盛放，與安逸美好的銀杏樹木相映成趣，跌水步道潺潺流過，帶來地中海風格無比愜意的自然氣息。

 

The gingko gallery at the main entrance shows a feeling of welcome and ceremony. The pottery flower pots on the handed made stone columns in Spanish style are full of beautiful flowers. All these flowers and gingkoes offer a delightful contrast with each other. Together with the water running through here, all these present a pleasant natural atmosphere in a Mediterranean style.

 

 

入口廣場以花壇為中心，配合歐式古典主義的跌水景觀。自然意趣，渾然天成。

 

With a flower bed as its centre, the square at the entrance has a scene of folded water in the classic European style. A delight of nature comes into being naturally.

 

在帕提歐。

At Patio

 

我和幾十種植物成為“心”朋友。

I have made bosom friends with several decades of plants.

 

明媚、寧靜、純澈、禪悟、欲念、虛浮、放逐、赤誠、雅致、迷惑……。你能想到有多少生命中的氣象，就能夠捕獲到多少與花、與植物有關的情緒訊息。愛花者天性如此，如同把自己坦然放逐給自然，麵朝一株盛放的菊訴說隱秘，生命中從此多了一種語言密碼，遊走在帕提歐，如同親臨一次植物百科鑒賞，用細膩心思萃取自然的精華。在這裏集粹了上百種植物，共生蔥蘢。大銀杏、白皮鬆、大雪鬆、玉蘭、元寶楓、雲杉、水杉、銀杏、白樺、蒙古櫟、櫻花、紅楓。這些有著漂亮名字的樹木，從此，都是我生命中的新夥伴了。

 

Brilliant, tranquil, crystal-clear, consciousness after meditation, desire, superficial, exile, honesty, elegance, perplexing … You can get the information about flowers and plants  as much as you can get the life elements from here. Whoever loves flowers can surely find what he loves best. Facing a chrysanthemum, one can talk with it about his inner secrets. When they step into Patio, he will feel like entering a garden with diverse flowers and plants, such as big gingkoes, white-barked pines, deodars, magnolias, maples, dragon spruces, metasequoias, gingkoes, white birches, the Mongolian quercus, cherries, and so on.  From now on, all plants with these beautiful names will become my new companions in my life.

 

歸家的陶土路。

Going home along a pottery road,

 

總會讓我不自覺停下來。

I always stop my steps unconsciously.

 

 

 

 

曾經走過地中海的迷人小鎮，我相信，在人情豐饒的所在，連路都有感情的。在金科.帕提歐，我的歸家路徑用質感溫暖的紅棕色的陶土磚鋪設。蜿蜒悠長，連接在戶與戶之間。那樣不光滑但很溫暖的質感，寫滿了慢日子和好情緒，路邊種植著層次分明的灌木與喬木，完全看不到地上的土壤。就這樣悠悠的，我甚至希望回家的路可以更長一些。

 

Since I once walked through the amazing little towns in the Mediterranean area, I believe that everything is full of feelings including roads. In Patio, the road for me to go home is paved with red brown pottery bricks which present a warm feeling. Winding and long, the road links up all the families. With a warm and un-slippery feeling and bushes and arbores on both sides, this road always provides me with so good a mood that I even hope that the road for going home can become a little bit longer.

 

 

記載年輪的樹木，

The trees full of annual rings,

 

在此成為象征福祉的望族家徽。      37

 

Has become a prosperous family’s emblem symbolizing happiness .

 

進門前，我已習慣抬頭仰望。在我和我的每位鄰居門前都會栽種一棵標誌性樹木，十幾年的樹齡，樹冠豐滿，枝葉繁盛。他是我的家門牌，也是家族中的一員。蒼翠的樹木經曆歲月荏苒，是深植望族精神的象征物。

 

As a habit, I always raise my head and have a look before entering home. There is a marking tree planted in front of each house which is as old as over ten years. With flushing branches and leaves, it is either the house number board or a member of my family. Having gone through years of renovation, this green tree has already turned into a symbol with the glorious spirits of a prosperous family.

 

 

戶與戶之間的樹木，連接著自然和居所之間的精神紐帶，喚起了人們真正回歸自然，居住自然的渴望。漫步其間，沐浴樹語人生。

 

The trees between houses are a sort of spiritual tie which links up the nature and the dwelling places and simultaneously incites our wish to return to and live in the nature. Walking among the trees, I can feel that they are talking to me about life.

 

 

盛裝以待。

In gala dress,

 

打開夜幕吧。                       55

Open the night curtain.

 

 

白日裏目醉神迷。我也同樣愛著這裏的夜，因為光的演出，更有一番別樣滋味。

每當夜幕低垂，歐式街燈照亮步道，景觀和雕塑被光線勾勒，演化為一幕光的組曲。情緒似乎轉折為奇異的夢鄉，進入另一處秘密境地，那是心靈深處不易開啟的神秘園。

 

I am intoxicated with the beautiful scenery in the day time. Yet I also love the night here, because the performance of light shows a distinctive charm. When the curtain of the night falls, the street lights in European style begins to shine on the walking boulevard; then the scenery and sculptures are outlined by the amazing lights; hence a suite of lights. And thereafter, my mood appears to turn into a dream which is so wonderful that I unconsciously enter another secret place, namely a mysterious parade in the depth of my soul which cannot be easily opened.

 

 

燈光，是園林的第二件華服。燈具造型本身亦是這絢麗演出中極為重要的道具，在它的映襯和烘托下,高低錯落的樹木變做舞台幕布,一場完全不同於白日裏的華美戲劇開場了。

 

Light is the second gorgeous dress for a garden. And the lights in diverse styles are the most important props for this wonderful performance. Trees, tall and short, stand out as the stage curtain in relief against the charming light. A wonderful drama starts, which is quite different from that in the day time.

 

天光明亮的早晨

Bright morning

 

城堡就在眼前。

The castle is right before our eyes.

 

在天光明亮的早晨，帶著打開心中秘密花園的鑰匙，我將去到那心儀已久的城堡。視線盡處，斑斕的植物層疊交織，如錦緞傾瀉而下，襯托自然聖殿的立麵光影，期許降臨，那是不可抗拒的沉迷圍城，外麵的人要衝進來，裏麵的人卻已甘願投降，而我，心懷遊曆西班牙小鎮那久違的觸動和驚喜，希望就此被圍困吧。

 

In the bright morning, with the key to open the door of the secret garden in my heart, I am going to the castle which I have long been yearning for. Gazing afar, I can see that at the end of my vision line, diverse plants in bright gay colors are blended with each other just like beautiful silk or colorful waterfall which is pouring down. In relief against the amazing light, they seem to have turned into a charming city which the people outside want to rush into but the people inside are willing to surrender themselves to. But I wish I could be besieged here with the pleasant surprise which I once experienced when I visited the little Spanish towns before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is that time again. This May will be just like any other in Cordoba. It will be busy with the first tourists of Spring, it will be eventful and it is sure to be a riot of colour. Later in the month those who go weak at the knees over the sight of a horse, myself included incidentally, will pack the streets for the traditional ferria. Flamenco dresses at the ready girls!

 

Before then those who love flowers will arrive in Cordoba. They come to enjoy the famous patio festival. Pretty town houses located in some of the oldest streets of the City come alive with colourful displays of geraniums, carnations and jasmines. Pots by the hundreds adorn window ledges, staircases and doors. In a very genteel manner, tourists wander from patio to patio to admire the work put in by the owners and to acquire ideas that would enliven their own Andalucian patios.

 

Homeowners compete for first prize. I don’t know how the judges decide who wins the top accolade. First off, the standard is so high. Secondly, so many of the entrants create patios which, how can I put this delicately?, are not altogether unlike the ones created by their neighbours! Déjà vu is alive and well when touring the patio displays. Or as one Spanish friend put it: "Seen one Cordoban patio, you have seen them all."

 

Not true, say I. Although I do hope that more originality is on show this time around compared to when I visited last year. Then it seemed to me that Geraniums were everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, for instant Spring colour you cannot beat a geranium, but Andalucians seem obsessed with them. When I try to grow trailing Jasmine from my pots on the front balconies the women of my village tell me off. It should, they insist, be geraniums on show to passers by.

 

Historically patios were used by Romans to hold meetings – and Cordoba is awash with both history and colour. In the pretty streets that are the venue for the competition, the crowds are growing much faster than the exhibits! By the very nature of the enclosed spaces, it can be difficult to be able to stand back and admire the hard work employed by the owners. I suggest you be patient. The crowds ebb and flow. Wait a while and there will be a lull between tour parties large and small.

 

The people who create these glorious corners in Cordoba have striven for months to ensure that they can present a patio fit to adorn the cover of a box of chocolates. The wet weather during April will not have helped their cause.

Many of the private, white washed homes in Cordoba are centuries old. They are among the most photographed properties in Andalucia. The scent of lemon and orange blossom fills the air and numerous fountains provide a backdrop of running water. I was pleasantly surprised at how peaceful these streets are, especially when one considers that the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions such as La Mezquita and the wider City are so close by.

 

At the beginning of each festival patio maps should be available to you via local businesses and in the Tourist Office. Don’t set off on the trail without one as you may not be able to distinguish whether or not you have already seen a particular patio. In Cordoba it really is possible to have too much of a good thing!

 

Entrance to the various courtyards and patios of the homeowners is free. However, there is always someone sat by the entrance with a gratuity box or hat on show. You are under no pressure to pay but I believe it is a small price to pay for enjoying such colourful displays. I doff my garden hat and salute them all. Their love of patios will ensure that at least one of the more pleasant on the eye of all Spanish traditions will live on and be enjoyed by generations to come.