Shipley Hall

With a rather stiff breeze taking the edge off the temperature, we set off to climb a Hill this morning and to visit the site of the old hall. Our primary objective was to check on the Rhododendrons and Azaleas which grow there.  We were not disappointed.

This small patch of Azaleas is always a joy to the senses at this time of year. The colours simply burst out of the shrubbery, as the scent from the yellow azalea, fill your nostrils.

Around the site, the old Italianate gardens which once delighted the Miller-Mundy family and their guests at the hall, now delight us all.

The colours of these Rhododendrons is stunning. One, red variety was particularly worthy of note this morning.

With a little digital manipulation, one can isolate the red... Who knew?

It's worth taking a broader view of the site.

Where the walls of the old hall are still picked out in stone, this Potentilla formed a golden highlight...

With a backdrop of Wisteria, adding - once again - a delightful scent on the chilly breeze.

There will undoubtedly be more on this topic in days to come...

Hawthorn

As we walk around the countryside hereabouts, there really is only one topic of conversation right now. The Hawthorn!

I have mentioned how the season has exploded with blossom after a very long, cold and wet winter, but the Hawthorn bushes stand head and shoulders above all others at the moment.

They are smothered with blossom and their scent is quite intoxicating - if something of an acquired taste!

Close examination of the flowers, reveals nectar aplenty, glistening in the sunshine. The only problem seems to be the dearth of insects to take advantage of it. One might expect the trees to be 'buzzing' with bees and hoverflies, all feasting on the nectar, but sadly, there were very few to be seen on these.

Along the footpaths near to our home, it all makes for a fantastic spectacle.

Lets have a closer look.

Just time for one more...

Change of Plan

Malcolm and I, set out for our morning walk as usual today, but got side-tracked at the last minute (long story) and ended up spending the morning up ladders, digging in the garden and generally having a good 'potter'. All very rewarding!
So in the absence of pictures today, here are some from our walk yesterday - starting with the glorious Hawthorns which are filling the air with their rather curious scent.

After a long wait for spring to begin, things have now all happened at once and the Hawthorn has exploded with blossom.

On Shipley Hill, the Azaleas at the Derby Lodge, just keep getting better.

This Azalea luteum is so brightly golden, that it seems almost unreal.

Down to Osborne's Pond and the gnarled old Oak offered us a little welcome shade from the warm sun.

While out on the man-made island, a pair of Swans were busy rearranging their nesting materials.

You could easily get carried away for hours, just sitting here, watching the reflections under this fine old tree.

Time to snap out of it and make for home again!

Spring Blooms

The countryside around us, is bursting with flowers right now - all eagre to make up for lost time, it seems. So from the Bird Cherry trees by the Nutbrook...

to the spectacular pink cherry tree atop Shipley Hill...

things are looking up (as indeed, was I.)

While on Shipley Hill, you can still find vast patches of Bluebells in full bloom.

Although this seasonal splash of blue is beginning to fade a little, it remains one of the best reasons to get out and about at the moment.

Among the old gardens of Shipley Hall, the Rhododendrons are also starting their display.

Simply stunning in the sunshine...

And this bright yellow Azalea luteum in the grounds of Derby Lodge, looks gorgeous too.

Lets not overlook the more mundane flowers either. Everywhere there is grass, you are sure to find a Dandelion or two.

And where they grow in their hundreds, you couldn't wish for a more beautiful sight - how could you ever refer to these wonderful flowers, as weeds?

Warm Walk

Once again, the weather has yo-yo'ed from hot to cold and back again. So Malcolm and I donned our caps this morning to keep the sun off and headed out to tackle the 'farm walk' and try to keep away from too many cyclists.
Along Slack Lane, the Bluebells were looking spectacular as they bloomed in the Hawthorn hedge.

A little further on and the bright sunshine was highlighting them even more, where they grow along the bank.

Dotted among the Bluebells, the more stately figure of Green Alkanet were trying to compete with their rich blue offerings. Where they may lack in numbers, their flowers certainly make up for it with vividness of colour.

The farm has a small herd of goats, some of which were trying to keep out of the sun by sheltering under an oak tree. 'Perhaps its cooler if I stick my head through here!'

Speaking of oaks, they too are starting to show some vivid colour of their own. This one was looking particularly bright green with its coat of fresh leaves.

It is a beautiful specimen.

Brighter

The weather has been so unpredictable over the last few weeks. One minute we are having a mini heatwave, the next we're plunged into freezing conditions, wind, heavy rain and goodness knows what else. But at last, things seem to be heading in a more 'spring-like' direction. Not that the Bluebells are too worried what happens.

These pictures were taken a few days ago as we trudged through Mapperley Wood to check on their progress.

Despite the mud under foot, it was well worth the effort, so we checked out the scene on Shipley Hill too.

We were not the only ones either. Several people were doing the same thing and many a colourful snap was being taken.

The cherry blossom on Shipley Hill is looking good too, especially this morning as the sun had come out and things had warmed up a bit.

A little digital manipulation adds a certain something!

Just time for one last shot of the bluebells... getting down for a low view!