A glorious day for a walk

After weeks we are having blue skies, and frosty nights.  It is fine weather for a walk, and this walk offers views, sea air, exercise, and  a bit of botanising and bird watching.

We've walking along to the end of the Brean Down Peninsula a number of times.  We had thought of going of Sunday but with the fine weather, the car park and paths would have been very busy.  It was a quiet Monday and therefore with picnic prepared we departed with no expectations other than just to just enjoy the outside.

The tide was going out, and when we sat right at the end in amongst the Victorian naval fortifications to eat our lunch, we watched the sea gradually receding to expose rocks. Earlier on our walk  the morning  sea mist gradually cleared to reveal clearly the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm with its lighthouse. 

There are a few weather battered Hawthorne Trees, and on the less windy side towards the north of the promontory, this tree was having to bear a heavy load of ivy where the deep purple fruit will soon be ready to feed the birds. 

Overlooking the Western Super Mare bay we paused to admire the views

Birdsong carried in the still clear air, and there were lots of LBBs, and robins. 

 

Six on Saturday - 1 March 2025

On this first day of spring,the garden, having had a few days of bright sunshine, is certainly getting into gear.  The news described the first of March as the end of winter, but I thought it the spring equinox.  I prefer to focus on this gardening at the moment or my head will burst with everything else going on. Those of us who love to garden and to note the changes in our gardens, meet up over on Jim's post.  If that is something you would like to join in with, even from time to time, Jim has some guidance. 

Here are Six from the garden on this gloriously sunny spring day.

1. This crocus is small but beautiful and a true delight. Last year I was not convinced of its name, and hopefully someone will be able to name it. It certainly has done very well overwinter in the ground, unlike a couple of the other yellow varieties I had bought a couple of years ago.

2. Seriously I would love to be able to increase this gorgeous little Crocus.  I bought the bulbs last autumn from Pottertons, and I am getting many blooms from each little bulb.  I appealed to The Crocus and Colchicum group on Facebook for guides on how best to do this, and the author of an excellent article 'Botanical Bulbs' sent a link to an article they have written. I'm not so dedicated as to go the whole hog, however there are some good tips, and hopefully next year, I shall have more of these bulbs.I look forward to even more Crocus heuffelianus ‘Shock Wave’ blooms opening during the sunny weather.

3. For seven year I have been enjoying the colourful spring foliage on Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'. This is the first spring that it is doing its uncurling of delicate foliage with its roots down in the ground.

Sorbaria sorbifolia 'Sem'

4. One of the largest and last of the snowdrops this to grace the garden is Galanthus Marjorie Brown. It is described as a strong growing elwesii var. monostictus with large flowers and glaucous leaves, and it started to emerge weeks ago, each bulb having three leaves, it almost looked like it was going to be a grey leaved tulip. 

5. Of course I am delighted that the primula are starting to flower again in the garden. This Primula juliae 'Port and Lemon' has done really well in the garden since it came here four years ago.  Easy to divide and its name a little teaser. Its lemon coloured blooms and its bronze leaves are easily recognisable. Here the sun and the camera have colluded to bleach out the port coloured leaves.

Primula juliae 'Port and Lemon'

I was rather disappointed when reading the result of RHS trials of Primulas in their March 2025 edition, to find that Primula vulgaris 'Taigetos' has no current suppliers.  How fustrating is that to someone like me who has just the right situation for it!  Anyway, I consoled myself by setting off in wellies to check on a local bank of primroses just a few fields away from the house.  In another two weeks it will be in its full glory.

6. The sun is bringing out bumblebees and other insects, and drawing my attention to the various plants inviting them to visit.

The sap is rising, buds and bugs setting to do their thing, let us get out there and enjoy that.  

And because it is St David's day, and my David likes little things too, here is what is left of my Narcissus cyclamineus

Narcissus cyclamineus