Early, early ...

I couldn't believe my eyes this afternoon when I spotted these bursts of pink in the shadows in Benmore Gardens (yes - we were there again). Rhododendron ririei (subsection Argyrophylia) comes from S.W.China and is clearly a hardy specimen - if you take a look at my extra photo, taken of the tall trees silhouetted against the pink clouds of sunset, you'll see that there's still snow and ice on the open places, and it was only 2ºC in a chilly wind that made it feel colder. 

But it will be spring, soon - and it was still light at 4.20pm!