The End of Winter? Snowdrops at Kedleston

February came in with mild weather and sunshine, so I went off out in search of snowdrops and any other signs of Spring which could be found. 

First stop was, as so often, Kedleston Hall. I know this National Trust property has at least one sweeping bed of snowdrops and hoped to find other flowers too. Like many places, Kedleston has suffered from too much rain in the last few months and various grassed areas are cordoned off to help them recover, which unfortunately meant I couldn't get really close to the snowdrops in the Pleasure Grounds. They aren't open fully yet though so hopefully I'll be able to see them at closer quarters on a return visit. 

The Pleasure Grounds themselves feel larger at this time of year, without trees breaking up the view. The orangery isn't open to visitors but in the shrubbery behind it is a surprise - a really early-flowering rhododendron. It's not quite flowering yet but there are plenty of buds waiting for warmer weather.

Heading up the Short Walk I found more snowdrops, a cherry-plum in bud, and, most surprisingly, a daffodil in flower. The first I've seen this year.

On the way home, the sky lit up, first yellow then red, promising another good day ahead.