February

After January's slowness, February was a busy, jam-packed month when it began to feel like Spring was just around the corner.

The first snowdrops and hellebores started to flower in the garden, and with a bit of sunshine here and there, I wanted to get out and about to spot more signs of Spring. Mid-month brought a drop in temperatures for a while, but once it's started Spring can't be held back for long. At Calke, Kedleston, Shipley, Markeaton Park, and Hopton. and on (almost) daily walks near home flowers were appearing. I not only love seeking out early flowers but it increases my step-count in a way that I find interesting.

February is also a busy month with two family birthdays, including a 'landmark' one for my husband, so there was cake, dinner out at Lorentes tapas bar at Darley Mills, bowling with all the family, and more cake. It's probably as well that I've been out walking so much!

The last of this year's snowdrop adventures - back to Kedleston

I visited Kedleston in search of snowdrops back at the beginning of February, and it seems a good place to round off the month and my snowdrop adventures. Time is moving on and the lovely sunny weather mans daffodils, crocus and other Spring flowers are appearing to take their place.

This time, after seeing the snowdrops in the Pleasure Grounds, we headed up the short walk - only as far as the viewpoint, mainly because the return through the parkland looked extremely muddy, and the seats at the viewpoint make a convenient pace to stop, rest, and turn round.

The sun shone brightly casting shadows of the trees lining the walk, the cherry plum was in full blossom, and alongside the path snowdrops, daffodils, and primroses were in flower. A perfect early Spring day with a wonderful view at the halfway point.

To make things perfect the cafe opening hours had changed so the day could be rounded off with tea and cake.

 

Snowdrop adventures - back to Calke

More sunny days means more trips out; after so many wet weeks it's good to get out and about. 

We last visited Calke at the end of January and were a bit early to catch the snowdrops in full flower, so it felt like time to return.

Now the snowdrop were fully in flower, lining the path up to the church and carpeting the woodland by the walled garden.

On the auricula theatre, pots of various varieties showed how diverse snowdrops can actually be - flecked with green or pure white, some short, others taller, the flowers double or single. In all, many more than I would imagine

Further along irises and crocus were displayed in a similar way.

I particularly love irises as I've had no luc in growing them myself.

The sky above was blue, and under the apple trees daffodils were beginning to appear. Soon it will be time to come and sit here under the blossom.

Out of the garden then and through the woodland where snowdrops were covering the ground, before heading back to the car. 

 

Snowdrop adventures - Hopton Hall

Continuing sunny weather tempted me out again, this time to one of my favourite snowdrop places - Hopton Hall, near Wirksworth.

The snowdrop walk opened at the beginning of February but by waiting till later in the month to visit I think we caught the display at its best.

The walk is laid out to take in as many snowdrops as possible and leads through woodland alongside the drive, then behind the hall to the rose garden (sleeping now but still beautiful with its topiary and dwarf hedges), down to the ponds and back in front of the hall.

 For now the garden is only open for a couple more days. After that you have to wait till the roses flower in July.

Snowdrop adventures - Shipley Country Park

After the beginning of the month February turned cold and damp, so it was a couple of weeks before I went out on another snowdrop adventure.

Eventually though we got to Shipley Country Park.

The snowdrops weren't quite as advanced as I'd hoped due to the chilly weather, but still a welcome sign of Spring on the way 

 

Snowdrop adventures - Markeaton Park

Continuing nice weather at the beginning of February tempted me out again in search of snowdrops, so one sunny afternoon we headed to Markeaton Park in Derby.

I wasn't sure there'd be snowdrops but it's a pleasant place for a walk that I often overlook. 

Following the 'dog-walk' route around the playpark area, takes you through a wilder section with a weir, trees, and, yes!, snowdrops. Only a few small clumps, a little overgrown, but still snowdrops.

Then, past the pond where the ducks, geese and seagulls had gathered in search of food, and on to the grassed areas beyond the Orangery cafe 

Snowdrops! Again, small clumps scattered through the grass but such a welcome sight at the end of winter.

Continuing in a vaguely clockwise manner, we came to the sensory garden where I'd expected to find lots of snowdrops. There were some but not as many as expected though there were several hellebores and a clump of daffodils.

The herbaceous borders along the old driveway leading from Markeaton village into the park where mainly still in their dormant winter stage but some shrubs already had colourful blossom.

Completing the circle we ended back at the duck pond - quieter now, as all the food had been eaten - then round the play park, catching the sunset over the boating lake, and back to the car.