Now, it's not a good sign for the second of February (Candlemas/Groundhog Day) to be bright and sunny, but it was so I decided to make the most of it by going out to Calke in search of more snowdrops.
First though on the way into the gardens there were other signs of Spring's approach - the scent of a winter honeysuckle, and the bright sparks of witchhazel's flowers
Just inside the walled garden, the visitor is met by a display of snowdrops; so many subtly different varieties!
Turning round though my attention was caught by a flash of pink - tiny cyclamens flowering almost unnoticed, and nearby the brilliant blue of iris reticulata.
In the mostly empty vegetable garden, I found more irises, in pots in a sheltered spot, so further advanced.
And narcissus growing along the edge of the vegetable beds.
Such a variety of spring flowers made it feel like winter truly was behind us.
On the slope below the walled gardens and on the tree-lined walk up to the church more snowdrops were shrugging off the winter cold
and on the path back up to the exit, I spotted the bright yellow of aconites. Somehow I'd missed them on the way in, but they were a lovely note to end my visit on.
On the slope below the walled gardens and on the tree-lined walk up to the church more snowdrops were shrugging off the winter cold 
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