This is not native to these parts and comes from Australia, but the "bottlebrushes" in full bloom on the Callistemon tree in Tai Peng's Picadilly Circus still look pretty good.

There's a Piccadilly Circus in Tai Peng? Where? Close to the "Seats of No Shame"?

We should really make a map of all these commonly used nicknames!

And yes, very pretty tree!
I'll see what I can dig out for this new topic about Lamma trees

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I think it is just along from "The Hall of Fame"

Hall of Fame?

I'm not a Tai-Penguin myself and only rarely visit these far-away, mist-shrouded mountains in search for exotic stories and pictures for the Lamma-zine, each time feeling almost like a National Geographic explorer. We lazy Sha-Ponians rarely venture from our cozy and oh-so-convenient valley home up the steep and ragged mountains, exploring the little-known wilderness regions of Lamma and its wild inhabitants...

So I'm not familiar with these nicknames yet. But I'd love to learn. How about a little map?

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On with the tree pictures.

Some of us tree huggers have photo albums of our favourite trees. Here's one of them, on the way to Hung Shing Yeh beach:

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From where does the term 'seats of no shame' originate?

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
----- Margaret Mead

From the term "seats of shame" outside grannies.

------------------------------------------------------------------------I think it is just along from "The Hall of Fame"

L-G, she's winding you up, pulling your chain, your leg, et cetera.

Straight up from the ferry, past foul-mouth-rip-offrest (known to some as the bent estate agent's arms) you will be upon blankstare corner bar (they have their own toilet block and beer garden) keep on going over the troll bridge towards the seats of shame were you can sit and drink SPECIAL BREW ...if you're hard enough.

Take the path along past the next big rip-offrest (not foul-mouthed this time )
and onward to the tree of enlightenment were you can make a wish to eat your meal in peace without fag smoke or stinking sea water ...but wish very hard.

If you're not eating and only out for a stroll then keep on along rat ally untill you reach the crossroads of delight.

Here you will need to make a decision do you want to go past the Hall of Fame
for more blank stares) or turn right towards the Beach of Lecky Land were you may sit a while and contemplate either retracing your steps or making a day of it by heading off up into the Crags of Nomansland, where only the wild can survive. (the mild will get pushed off the path by wild hordes of yellow-t-shirted, bother-booted, stick-wielding grannies as they stedfastly follow their leader's yellow banner.)

Be warned: to walk these crags alone without a big stick is only wise to do if you have been sitting in the seats of shame and had a tin or three If you keep on going you wil come to land Land of Plenty there you will be met by hords of Foodlums who will not let you past unless you set a while and fill up on what they have to offer.
It is wise to obey , as what they have to offer is plenty and filling and who knows, if you refuse, you may never be seen again.

Wow, Eileen!

Your post above is ready for prime time, worthy of the home page!

Congratulations, dear Lamma-zine Contributor!

Any title you'd like to use for your "Lamma tour guide" story above?

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Eileen,

Is this near the foothills of the headlands?

I would like my story to be called Guided by The Senses from Pier to Eternity.

I could go on but would hate to bore you

Oh! Foxy this is from Headland to Toeroad and any space in-between



Up the airy mountain down the rushy glen
We dare not go a hunting for fear of little men.

Eucalyptus trees are in full bloom along the cable road, with plenty of bees and wasps taking advantage of the brief bloom. The paperpark (Melaleuca) also flower around late summer, and are just about finished now.

There's a new book for HK's tree huggers coming out:

"Trees and Flowering Plants of South China"

I might attend the book launch and get me a copy:

http://bookazine.ilinksys.com/Emailer_Oct_07/Rhona_booksigning.jpg

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I didn't get the book yet, but I just browsed it at our moderator's place and it looks really good. One page per tree, bush or flowering plant, including most of what we see around Lamma, wild or in gardens. The book is hardcover, full-colour and well below $200. I'll get it very soon, so I can figure out what's actually growing in my rooftop garden...

Zep, can you do a little book review for us, please?

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This large Chinese Banyan in Tai Peng just opposite the community garden bit the dust in the recent typhoon. Villagers estimate it must be around 150 years old - maybe sprouting around the time of the Opium Wars. Seems like the roots are quite shallow. Luckily it fell into the swamp and nobody was in the way, but the "Police line. Do not cross" tape is still in position.