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.