"The bees work very briskly on the Crocuss"

from the journals of Gilbert White, 4th March 1765


I took advantage of the sunny day and an annual pass to visit Gilbert White's House and Garden in Selborne where he was the curate.  The surrounding landscape inspired Gilbert to embark on a life-long investigation of the natural world, culminating in his world-famous book The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne. 


Today the house holds a museum celebrating his work, including copies of all known editions of his book, along with the Oates Collection commemorating the naturalist Frank Oates, who was probably the first European to see the Victoria Falls in South Africa since David Livingstone,  and his nephew Captain Lawrence Oates of Scott's ill-fated Antarctic Expedition of 1912, who is most famed for the words "I'm just going outside and may be some time".


After a fascinating walk around the museum exhibits I took a saunter around the gardens and grounds enjoying the early spring flowering crocus and snowdrops.  Much to my surprise, I wasn't the only visitor; the bees from local hives were also out in force!