I love spotting the first snowdrops - always anxiously watching for the early signs in my garden, and visiting as many local gardens and woodland as possible. A sunny day towards the end of January seemed like an ideal time to head out on the first of hopefully many snowdrop adventures. I wasn't sure how open they'd be yet ( my garden snowdrops are still a way from full flower) but being National Trust members there's no extra charge to go to Calke several times.
As it was, although they weren't at their fullest, there were still a lot of snowdrops to be found - under the trees, in the auricula theatre, on the walk up to the church.
There are just snowdrops to be seen though - the witch hazels were cheering up the woodland walks -
and in front the house was a different sort of attraction - sheep! They're not usually seen here but were doing a good job of keeping the grass mown.
Back at the cafe, with about five minutes to spare before closing, there was tea and cakes, and on the way home an amazing red sunset.
