March

 March was a busy month with lots going on - by my standards anyway - day trips, short breaks, celebrations at home. It felt like the year had really got started, and being out and about enabled me to pursue my get-fitter goals while having fun.

February ended and March began with a long weekend in the Lake District; it was wet but enjoyable. I'd probably have walked further if the sun had shone but I was happy, after a lazy month or so, to log about 23, 000 steps over three days.

Back home I was determined to keep up this burst of exercise with a walk along Cromford canal (8,000 steps) and another to Shipley to see the daffodils (5,000). I don't want to become obsessed with my step-count, but it's an easy way of measuring how far I've walked, and how often. 

Towards the end of the month we headed north again - this time to visit my daughter and her partner overnight, and add in trips to Dunham Massey and RHS Bridgewater on the days eithr side.We were lucky with the weather this time, and walking round the two gardens definitely increased my step-count. Unfortunately those figures are lost as an 'upgrade' wiped all my data (that's really part of April's story though)

In between there was a wedding anniversary and Mother's Day to be celebrated, an unexpected visit from my younger daughter, and Easter arriving at the end of the month. I'd got one holiday booked for May and was hoping to pull in a semi-spontaneous short break during April till we were struck down by colds. Again, it's really part (the majority if not the whole) of April's story so it will have to wait

Spring at RHS Bridgewater

After Dunham Massey's enchanting woodland garden I wasn't really expecting to find another garden with such a wonderful display - but RHS Bridgewater has another similar one. Hundreds (thousands?) of daffodil bulbs have been planted in the orchard area, and I happened to catch them at their best. 

Not all of the fruit trees were blossoming but those that were lent a special feel to the area. 

Wandering round the walled gardens, I found more daffodils and other bulbs - anemones, narcissi, hyacinths, and the showy crown imperial fritillaries. 

This large pond in the centre of the walled garden was my favourite spot when I visited last year, but I think I may have found a new one - this small pagoda situated in the Chinese waterfall garden. Work is underway on a larger building nearby which I hope will be just as attractive.

The garden itself is under development but there are plants on the banks of the stream, and stepping stones to cross if you're brave enough.

We started our visit with pizza at one cafe and ended it with cake at another. Whar could be better>
 

Spring flowers and blossom at Dunham Massey

I'd heard of Dunham Massey's winter garden and planning a trip to Manchester I wanted to include it. Maybe I was a little late for winter as such but as an 'early Spring' garden it was wonderful.

There are lots of photos here but really there's little to say beyond 'wow'.

The garden lies to the side of the house and entering through its gates the visitor is met with the smell of hyacinths and a carpet of daffodils spreading in front under trees just coming into flower.

I'm not sure my photos have captured how truly magical it was but hopefully they can give an idea.

It seemed that every way I turned yet another path wandered through an amazing carpet of flowers - mainly daffodils but other spring bulbs too such as fritillaries and snowflakes. 

To the sides of the paths were camellias in every shade of white through pink to deep red

There was scent too - this I think is an early viburnum, and below is a white flowering currant.

I certainly needed the label to tell me what this - stachyurus praecox which looks far more amazing than here, with its catkins moving in the breeze.

Walking under cherry blossoms and magnolias made everything seem enchanting.

Passing over the stream to the more formal side of the garden I expected there to be less of interest, but there were tulips, magnolias, fritillaries, and more daffodils.

As I said this was my first early Spring visit I'm determined now to come back each year.