The birds were out in full force this morning, singing their hearts out to welcome the first day of February. They just know January is over!
My twitter feed was full of unusually good cheer this morning: more daylight, robins and a variation of spring #hashtags. It’s warmer too, although February can still be very cold, it’s satisfying to shrug off such an unpopular month.
Through the bare trees, the warmish sunshine lifts my mood. I notice all manner of greenery emerging through the leaf litter, including one of my late winter favourites, primroses. They’ll be flowering soon and I will share these when they are at their best.
Signs of spring
But this week, it’s the turn of snowdrops, snowdrop walks and snowdrop teas. A popular annual event, I am happy to fall in step with this natural appreciation movement. These sturdy little bulbs are among the first plants to flower in the new year and can last until March. Plenty of time to find a drift on a snowdrop walk.
There are plenty of reasons to leave the snowdrops with their companions, outside in the earth. The Victorians believed that if you bring them inside, death will follow. And not just for the plant! “Your milk will go sour and your eggs shall spoil”.
I wrote about St Botolph the Wayfarer last week and during this month, there are snowdrop teas at the church from 2 - 4pm on February 4 & 5th 11 & 12th, 18 & 19th inside the church. And extra special on this Sunday 5th at 3pm, is the blessing of the snowdrops. I may be there.
Have you any favourite snowdrop walks to share?
Links you will need
The February picture-perfect Georgian garden at Stowe is swathed in snowdrops – so much so, the National Trust calls them ’Stowedrops.’ Admission: £13 for non NT members. Advanced booking essential.
Here are 14 local walks in the Chiltern Hills, some free, some charging admission. Take your camera!