What a difference a Day Makes... ...

SUNSHINE TODAY after the last few (feels like several) days of bleak damp weather.

The Stray is a 200 acre open grassland which was 'secured for recreational use of the inhabitants of the town of Harrogate' when the Enclosure Acts in the 1770s were passed. We are very lucky as the land will never be built on as it is 'set aside in perpetuity with free access for everyone'.

Masses of crocus appear in Spring and are an attraction for visitors. This year the crocus have put up with extreme weather conditions and have struggled lately in the soggy land.

Today they seem to have suddenly appeared and instead of the large puddles of water we now have large puddle-like patches of crocus!