Even More Snowdrops

Making the most of a fair day's weather we took in another Snowdrop Walk, this time down in the Borders, on the estate of Cringletie House, where we spent a most enjoyable couple of hours.

Provided with a maps and guided by marker posts, the anticlockwise route took us down alongside the burn through woods, back up under conifers to the walled garden then a nature trail past the back of the house to the upper parts of the burn (where the main photo was taken) then followed the burn to the house. Throughout there was a marvellous display as grand sweeps of flowers, modest patches and small groups, as far as the eye could see.

Parts of the route were steep, some paths were muddy, or grassy, or well-surfaced, according to the area, so our walking shoes proved useful.

Two extras of collages show:-
1) clockwise from top left: closeup in sunlight; some of the hellebores mixed in the snowdrops; part of a large patch; the sundial and laburnum walk in the walled garden; primroses - thrum-eyed. 
2) One of two springs which originally supplied the house with a water supply, now the gardens only; the weather vane - the estate has Highland cattle; the 350-year old yew hedge in the walled garden; the doocot, which has been altered as a seating area.

Throughout the walk were the strains of birdsong and the knocking of woodpeckers, we appeared to be the only humans apart from staff, who were very friendly. The hotel was closed for maintenance so no refreshments were available today, however, if the return for the daffodils in April, I fully expect to make use of the restaurant.