Pancratium maritimum.........Sea Lily

There is a beach, usually deserted, just east of Motril Port named  'Playa Azucenas'.

This beach is linked to the legend of the appearance of the image of the Virgen de la Cabeza, patron saint of Motril.

  

 The beach gets it's name from  the Sea Lily.

 The Sea Lily,  Pancratium maritimum,  is also known as Sand Daffodil or Sand Lily and the Lily of St. Nicholas.
In  Castellano it is called Azucena marina, Nardo marino or Amor mío.  

The flower has a pleasing, exotic and very subtle lily scent, which only becomes apparent during still, windless summer nights that allow its delicate fragrance to become perceptible. 

This wild flower is an endangered member of the Amaryllidaceae family and as thus, is protected.

 The sea lily inhabits the dunes and beaches of the coast and has adapted to survive with limited water. The white color and coating of hair are some of the most common plants that live in these ecosystems. Not only do they hold water but avoid losing them. The shape of the corolla atrompetada contributes to the maximum water collection, albeit in a spray form, vital for survival under these conditions.

 

Time past, the lilies were abundant on Motril's coast giving rise to the name, Beach of the Lilies but now the lilies and the beach are reduced by the expansion of the port.

Motril hopes  that future generations will  continue to know, appreciate and defend, this species now extinct in the natural habitats of the Granadino coast.

Walking over Oranges........

So many oranges.......

Here in the Cortijo Azahar Garden, the Orange season has been exceptionally plentiful this year.

We have been doing our best, eating them, squeezing them for juice and giving them away but still so many lie abandoned under the trees having fallen down in the gales experienced over the  past two to three weeks.

Thankfully, now, the winds have blown away and the sun is shining full on the lengthening Spring days and the fallen oranges will  provide nutrients for the trees before too much time has passed.

Orange Cleaner

Add orange peels,  or any citrus peel,  to a quart of white vinegar in a closed container and let it set for two weeks. Combine citrus/vinegar solution half/half with water and use for cleaning. Works on floors, tile, fixtures, etc. Smells good and is tough on scum! Best of all there are no chemicals.

  

Ingredients:

1 clean jar with lid
Orange Peels - Lots
Distilled White Vinegar

Directions:

Using a knife or kitchen shears, cut your orange peels into strips and place them into your jar. Firmly pack your peels into the jar. It will take quite a few peels.
Pour distilled white vinegar into your orange peel filled jar. You want to pour enough vinegar to cover all the peels. It will not take a lot of vinegar if you have really packed your jar with orange peels
(Tightly) Put your lid on your jar
Let your jar sit for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally
In 2 weeks, decant the liquid from your jar for a concentrated orange cleaner! 

Use either diluted or straight depending on how oily/greasy your "dirty" item is.

Possible Options:
You could probably try using lemon, lime, and grape fruit peels as well. 

All 3 of these citrus fruits have cleaning/grease cutting properties.