I was wondering..if any of you folk who live in Algarve..can tell me how Monchique and other areas are doing after last summer's fire devastation?
Are things starting to look green again?Is new growth appearing?
Of course..Im hoping for sunshine during my stay (get rid of the prison pallor!)...but don't mind a little rain if its helping to bring new life back to that beautiful part of Algarve

Hello Ellie,
While we were over last week we had to make a trip to one of our fav. restaurants, Ruxinol just by the 'traffic lights' on the main road to Monchique. Steffan (owner and mine host) was saying that the ground cover was coming back as are some small trees but without new planting it will not look like the old place for many years to come, mind you sometimes these fires help the countryside by natural clearing, allowing species that havn't had a chance before to grow.
The hills looked bare, but were showing the start of new growth and green cover.
Have fun,

Nice to know theres some new life coming back there Ellen...just to see green things sprouting..hope springs eternal!
I wonder how that 'tree planting' scheme is going..think it was BP doing it there.
As you say though....scorched earth can give other species a chance.
This is done deliberately in UK on heathlands...heather roots can take extremely hight temps.
But as you also say..some trees can take years to reach maturity..sad..

Ellie,
I live in Lagos and a lot of our friends in the surrounding areas were affected by the fires, luckily nobody actually lost their home. The area was devestated, but is now showing signs of regrowth. It will take a long time though.
It is pretty chilly here in Vilamoura today, hope the weather warms up for Easter
Trazie