Last Sunday, on the most beautiful sunny winter's morning, my friends Katy and Alison and I went to
Hodsock Priory to look at the snowdrops. This has become a tradition for us and a visit we always enjoy. Above are some Spring snowflakes (Leucojum).
It was a little different this year, as there was a wedding in the house, so we weren't able to have our tea and cake inside this year. There had also been some water damage to the rooms, so there was a large marquee for the teas instead. There was also a food and craft fair on that day, and although this increased the visitor numbers, it didn't diminish our enjoyment. Another good thing was that we walked round the grounds and woods following a slightly changed route, which made us look at things more closely and from a different viewpoint. Snowdrops and aconites above, enjoying the sun.
There were pools of bright pink and white cyclamen coum around the trees.
A view of the gatehouse from the garden.
The snowdrop wood.
There were a lot of hellebores flowering in the garden. they are much further on than my own hellebores, which are only just putting leaves out.
Hodsock is known for the beautiful drifts of snowdrops in the woods.
The sun cast some lovely shadows - perfect for taking photos.
Katy and Alison very kindly bought me a pure white hellebore as a birthday present to add to my two others.
Here is the flower - absolutely stunning.
I hope to be able to visit lots of gardens again this year.
