Killerton (19 April)

 On the way home from Sidmouth we stopped at the National Trust property, Killerton.  The wisteria growing around the house contrasted beautifully with the peach paintwork.

 There was lots of blossom on trees and the rhododendrons gave bright colours in the parkland. We had hoped to see bluebells, but they were just giving a blue haze rather than carpet as they were not all out.

There were some lovely flowers in the gardens, tall blue ones that looked like bluebells from a distance, unusual specimens and a spectacular peone.

Bicton Gardens (18 April)

 We were staying the night in Sidmouth and on the way stopped at Bicton Gardens.  The sun was shining and it was really beautiful.  As you walked into the gardens the formal beds leading down to the lake were full of colour 

There were a few bluebells out but the blossom on trees were spectacular.  The acers near the far lake gave a wonderful contrast.

We followed the nuthatch nature trail and at the bird hide watched many birds coming to feed.  In particular there were a couple of nuthatches.

Snowdrops at Cothele

Snowdrops are one of my favourite flowers, so I am always keen to see them growing naturally.  A  walk by the River Yealm between Yealmpton and  Puslinch Bridge is aways a good spot to see them.  This year there seemed to be more on the left bank of the river, and the other side of the bridge was so overgrown we did not see any.

Saltram always has a good display of snowdrops.  They have planted many in the gardens, but around the reception area they look a bit false at the moment.  No doubt they will be better when they have spread naturally rather than in the clumps.  The area between the river and Snowdrop Woods always has a good showing and they did not disappoint again this year.

Today we visited Cothele.  Usually we do not go so early in the year as we wait to see the daffodils at the end of February.  I was surprised by how many snowdrops there were, with many different varieties.  In the Valley Garden by the stream there were some tall snowdrops and in the gardens there were beds full of them.  It was particularly good to see them under the bright pink camelia and in the centre of the pond with the coloured stems and dark foliage as a foil.

Cothele also had a wonderful selection of camelias to admire.  The white ones in the courtyard were particularly impressive.

Central Park

 Central Park is right on our doorstep so I frequently walk around it.  Although plenty of trees there are not many flowers there.  In early spring there are a few snowdrops, some crocuses and some daffodils.  Then the bluebells bring splashes of blue and the cherry trees in Pounds Park make a colourful arch.

The most spectacular display is from the rhododendrons and azaleas that are in or near Pounds House.  

Daffodils by River Fowey

 We caught the train to Bodmin Parkway and walked from there along an old carriage way parallel to the River Fowey.  It was a pretty walk with woodland both sides and after the initial slope down nice and flat.  At Rospryn Bridge, after walking through the car park and over the bridge we continued along the river path. There is an accessible path further away from the river, but we chose the rougher path so we were beside the the water.  It was still a reasonable path to walk on, although may not be good after wet weather.  

Soon we were seeing daffodils at the side of the path.  After a while there was a large area of them.  After crossing the bridge we saw many more daffodils on this side of the river.  I would have liked to have explored these woods further but we had a train to catch so returned to the station.  If we had more time we could have walked up to Lanhydrock House or further along the river to Lostwithiel.

However this had been a very pleasant hour walk.