Looking forward - to Spring and beyond

 Today's the first day of Spring. The sun isn't shining, and to be honest, it's not very warm or spring-like, but the daffodils are flowering and there's a definite feel to the season turning. Meanwhile I'm longing to get out and about, and see somewhere other than my garden.

Since Christmas I've been more or less stuck at home; I've been to collect groceries, and that's about it. The local police have been very strict with their interpretation of lockdown rules, fining people for travelling too far for a walk, so I haven't bothered going beyond the nearby playing fields. 

But ... the stay at home rule ends on March 29th, so, not only can my daughters come round for my birthday in early April (crossing my fingers for a dry day) and I'll be able to visit them somewhere outside, I can go out for a change of scenery. I feel like I have a lot to catch up on from last year!

I've been too sedentary since Christmas so I'm not heading off trekking or mountain climbing but for a quite wander among spring flowers and blossom. Last year I missed out by waiting too long and then feeling I should stay at home when infection rates rose. This year, with the virus hopefully retreating plus my vaccination, I feel less at risk.

Although I have a (long) list of new places I want to visit, I'm going to start with the local and familiar. One of the last places I went just before the lockdown last March was to Shipley to see the daffodils, and it's where I'll start this year. Although I don't think I've ever caught it in full flower, the nearest National Trust property, Kedleston Hall, also has a fine display of daffodils - they've been posting photos of them flowering in the last week or so, and hopefully they'll still be there in a few weeks. 

As spring progresses, I want to spread my wings a little - first to Bow Wood, at Lea Bridge, to see bluebells. It's a regular trip we make to see the hillside covered in a sea of misty blue and something I really missed last year. Then to the other side of the valley to Lea Gardens for their magnificent rhododendrons, and
perhaps finish the day with a walk along Cromford canal. Ina different direction, the woods at Felley Priory will also be filled with bluebells, but I also have an idea about staying in a shepherd's hut surrounded by them, so perhaps a holiday is called for.

A little later, moving into May, wisteria will be flowering at Calke along the kitchen garden walls, and if all's still going well I'd like to head over to Powis Castle for more rhododendrons, and Bodnant Gardens to see their laburnum arch.

Then we'll be moving into summer - time to sit on the terrace above Hopton Hall's rose garden.

Somewhere in between all this, I'll be visiting Chatsworth, which has something for every season, and miles to walk in the gardens alone!

With luck, it's going to be a busy few months.

And Dylan the dog came too ...

We've been out and about a lot recently, but our poor dog, Dylan, has had to stay home, so, heading out to Derbyshire earlier this week, we were determined to find somewhere he could come too. After all, he's part of the family, and likes a day out exploring as much as we humans.









First we went to Lea Gardens - we knew they admitted dogs but we've not tried taking Dylan before. He seemed rather excited, hurrying along the paths that wind between the rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias - perhaps a little too quickly on some of the downward sections! But over all he behaved well, stayed on the paths (it's no fun having a dog decide to explore under bushes when you're holding the other end of the lead), and even agreed to take a short rest while I took photos.

Then we headed to a place he's visited before - Cromford and the canal-side walk from High Peak Junction workshops to the wharf by Arkwright's mill.

High Peak Junction workshops

I'm not sure how interested he is in industrial heritage, but he enjoyed the walk!

Looking for signs of Spring

I mentioned a while ago that I'd been out and about, trying to grab some down-time after the hassle of March with walks at Shipley Country Park and Lea Gardens, but I realise I never posted my photos.
So here they are - or at least a small number of them, as I took a LOT as always.









First Shipley Country Park, where the snowdrops were giving way to drifts of daffodils.

The trees may be bare, but at their feet stretches a carpet of yellow. They're absolutely stunning when in full flower, and even a few weeks too early they're lovely.

 Then, a few days later we went to Lea Gardens to see the earliest of the huge rhododendron collection. There's not many flowering yet, but the hillside garden is still worth a walk round, especially if, like us, you buy a season ticket with the intent of going back to see the garden change over the year.

End of season visit to Lea Gardens

Despite being 'local' Lea Gardens are a recent discovery. I first visited at the beginning of April as it was coming into flower, then later in the month when it was stunning. Having bought a season pass, I'd intended going back again in May or June, but life and weather got in the way, and I've only just found time to go back.

Polar Bear at a distance

Being a garden devoted to rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, it's definitely past its peak now, but there are still a few flowers lingering on, and a couple of huge late-flowering 'Polar Bear' shrubs still full of buds!

Polar Bear close up

In the upper section, the acers are more noticeable now the rest of the garden is more subdued, and hidden behind a huge clump of gunnera we found a pond with delightful water lilies.

Although the gardens close at the end of this month, as a season pass holder I can visit all year round, and I've been told the deciduous azaleas are wonderful in autumn, so I'll be trying to visit again.

Back to Lea Gardens

 Although it's near to home, I first visited Lea Gardens, near Matlock, Derbyshire, just  few weeks ago at the beginning of April. I'd decided before visiting to indulge in a season ticket, to be able to return and see the gardens as they changed throughout the next few months - and I'm so glad I did.






Last weekend we went back for a second visit, and I was amazed at how much difference those few weeks had made.

 The gardens specialise in rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, with plants filling almost every inch of space.

The winding maze-like paths lead down the hillside and seemingly round every corner is a new riot of colour waiting to be seen, with flowers ranging in colour from white through pale pinks and lilacs to dark reds and bright yellows.

 I thought the garden had been lovely before, but this time it was just stunning - and some of the later-flowering plants are only in bud. I'll definitely be back again in another few weeks!