Yet More Daffodils

This Easter Saturday we visited Clonterbrook Farm daffodils. A public footpath runs a short distance through the wood where the farmer has planted hundreds of different types of daffodils. These follow on after the snowdrops and then there is the delight of bluebells later in May. Over the years I have visited this area many times but this year I was blown away by the light on the white variety at the far end. We had a field day with the cameras!

Daffodils

Every year I like to grow different sorts of daffodils.

This is an unusual one with a split corona that I thought was Cassata but on looking in the catalogue it looks like Belcanto? I bought it 2 years ago and dont seem to have made a record at the time. Then again the bulb firm could have got it wrong so I'll have to order Cassata next autumn to check. Who cares anyway they are all gorgeous!

Family outing

Last Saturday 28 March was the 7th anniversary of Tony's departure from this earth. We had our annual pilgrimage to his memorial gate and seat near Leek. As usual the weather was very cold but we managed to make the ascent and take photos before it rained. In fact this year we had a flurry of hail stones before we bid a retreat to the warmth of The Abbey pub and a superb meal together.

Jamie, Tracy, Graham, Allison, Simon, Sophia and Victoria

Special Hellebore

This is a Hellebore called 'Betty Ranacor'. I have waited 5 years for it to flower after purchase.

It has 8 flowers and resides in the courtyard outside my kitchen door. I have just had this area revamped with a membrane and pebbles. Black/purple hellebores have spread here too, which are wonderful when the light catches the petals.

Winter Flowers

ODE TO THE WITCH HAZEL

Each day I shuffle down the broken path
Just to inhale your sharp lemony fragrance.
Soother of rheumy eyes.
My interest sustained by delicate flowers of filigree
On knarled old branches.
Zest of my youth long gone.

Apedale

Yesterday we went for a walk in Apedale Country Park which is off the A34 from Congleton before you get to Newcastle under Lyme. It has been reconstituted from coal and iron ore workings and has a network of good paths rising up to a pithead sculpture at the summit. On a good day you can see for miles but this day all we saw was cloud. Woodland abounds with abundant wildlife. There is good free car parking and I was amazed that the visitor centre was open for refreshments and meals at this time of year.

www.apedale.co.uk

Jean's garden in snow

These images were taken in early January when I woke to a magical garden transformed by the white stuff!