In the Gully

Barbados gullies are formed when a cave passage close to the surface collapse. They are rich in a wide variety of plants, like these lianas in the top pic and incredible philodendron in the pic below. Traditional uses for plants found in the gullies are for food, fuel and medicine.

I love this dark leaved vine

The grit behind the glamour or why I why I missed July Blooms Day.

Yes, from my blog it sounds like a dream job, frequent trips to foreign locales and all.  Like my recent trip to organize and co-conduct a workshop in Barbados. Sounds fab doesn’t it? I had thought so: hotel on the beach with  powder white sands, night swims in the pool, excellent restaurants, visit to the wonderful  Helen of My Rustic Bajan Garden

Yeah, that and Crazy Woman. I invited Crazy woman, a consultant, on the recommendation of someone.  She received full funding (including ticket and hotel) to attend the workshop. None of this would have happened without me. Crazy woman then proceeded to bad mouth me with various participants, interrupt the presentations constantly to criticize AND then launched a complaint with the implementing agency that the workshop was a waste AND galvanize a couple people to also complain. So I have been busy doing “damage control”, defending ourselves and our presentations.

   

What could possibly be the motivation here? When I was new to consulting, I attended every local workshop I could get invited to for the specific purpose of learning and networking. A few times I actually paid my airfare and hotel to attend workshops in the US just to meet people!  I’ve wined and dined many a North American and European colleague when they worked in the Caribbean. Sometimes I cooked dinner for them. Introduced them to my garden and pets. These are the things that build relationships and help you get work. I can’t see how going around bad mouthing and trying to discredit persons who helped you and are in a position to help could possibly achieve that.  The only reason could be that there are people who get satisfaction and joy from causing others distress and loss.

Well here are a few blooms; I do have a fun post coming up of the Tea Party at the Rustic Bajan garden

Some first time bloomers: white orchid tree ( as I recall 4 years ago I planted seeds from a pink orchid tree) and yucca.

I dont know how I never got such an easy, cheerful flower as portulaca/purslane before

My cool new bi-color euphorbia milli

tithonia 

Travel scenes

A few pics from my work travels the week before. Gorgeous annuals-fuchsia celosia cristata, purple gomphrena and pink zinnias in Guyana. On a road "roundabout" no less.

I collected some seeds from this plant-can anyone identify it?

 

Onto the countryside in Trinidad, with soaring trees and royal palms

and coconuts