2017 AGS "Galanthus of the Black Sea" Tour

[Alan_b]

On the other hand, they had more Galanthus woronowii in the gardens than they can have known what to do with.  Unfortunately we were there too late to see them in flower.



 

[Alan_b]

To my eyes this was an odd form of woronowii, with a median stripe and the leaves a bit less bright green than usual.  Earlier in the trip we had been promised "a curious population of snowdrops that seem intermediate between Galanthus rizehensis and Galanthus woronowii" but these ones seemed to my eyes to be a much better candidate to fit that description.

[Alan_b]

If you looked up the cost from the Botanic Gardens you could see the swish Oasis Hotel where we stayed on our first night in Georgia.



I kept looking out to sea but this fountain was the nearest I got to seeing any of those "rare Black Sea race of Porpoise".



The Camellias were in flower ...



but it was time to go.

[Alan_b]

We had not managed any time to eat lunch so we stopped at the first place we found, which happened to be a rather nice restaurant on the sea-front in Batumi.

Pat and Tolkha



In Georgia we had two vehicles, one for the people and one for the luggage, although this wasn't really necessary.  You can see both our drivers in this picture.

[Alan_b]

And that was the last event of our trip.  We drove through Batumi to the airport, took a plane to Istanbul and then another plane on to Heathrow Airport.  It was 22:30 by the time we arrived and too late for me to stand much chance of catching a train home so I had booked booked myself into something called a Yotel at the airport.  This offers roomns paid-for by the hour which are about the size of an old-fashioned railway compartment.  But clean and really quite comfortable for a short stay.



Goodnight, everybody; that's the end of the story.



     

[Maggi Young]

I must agree with you, Alan - Galanthus platyphyllus is particularly attractive.
The mountain scenery is spectacular - pity there wasn't just a little less snow  at that time.  Pretty fun trip nonetheless though - thanks for sharing it with us.
 

[Alan_b]

It was great fun, Maggi; I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Here is a picture of our happy band in Turkey that was taken by our minibus driver.

[ashley]

An interesting account Alan; thank you.
Young plants from wild-collected seed (SRGC exchange 66/5113) have narrow glaucous leaves so presumably can’t be G. platyphyllus then

[Rick Goodenough]

Alan,

Thank you for sharing this wonder-filled trip. Your descriptions and photography were engaging and educational. I enjoyed the journey.

Rick 

[Pauli]

Thank you very much for the pictures and the detailed report of your journey - very interesting!

[Carolyn]

Reply 68 - possibly corylopsis?

[emma T]

Wow , that looks like a great trip and great fun . Thank you for sharing this

[Susan W]

Alan
Really enjoyed reading about your trip. Thanks for sharing.

[Gail]

Greatly enjoyed our virtual version of your tour Alan; would have loved to have done it in reality. Thank you for posting.

[chasw]

Thoroughly enjoyable account Alan,and what a great Birthday treat