Earth is waking from it’s Winters sleep
warmer days are such a treat
Spring has begun
or has it just sprung
birds are tweeting
Sheep are bleeting
blossom filling the air with scent
smell them quick before they are spent
blue skies
and busy Bees
pollinating our trees
leaves uncurling
fluffy white clouds whirling, twirling swirling
soil preparation
in anticipation
for what this year will bring
Last year in the run up to Christmas we visited 6 National Trust properties, this year our weekends have been taken up with other things, days have flown past and suddenly find ourselves 2 days before Christmas
Determined to visit at least one place festooned with baubles, twinkly lights and colourful illuminated grounds we settled upon our closest place National Trust Calke Abbey located between Derbyshire/Leicestershire border
Here are just a few photos from our little trip into echos of Calkes Christmas past. Although over for another year we cannot wait for Christmas 2017 at Calke Abbey.
Bluebells are blooming and filling Serpentine Wood at National Trust Calke Abbey with their heavenly scent and bright blue petals. Whilst visiting on a sunny blue sky day they seemed to be the perfect compliment for the acid green leaves bursting from Beech trees.
What could be more idyllic than an English woodland filled with Bluebells and birdsong in Spring. Click here for a virtual Bluebell visit.
Abstract Bluebell photos. I would love to know what you think
Snow was forecast overnight to Buxton, Derbyshire but didn’t think it would reach as far south as National Trust Calke Abbey. Upon leaving home the sky was blue and clouds white and fluffy but by the time I had driven for half an hour or so the sky had gone flat grey. One flake then two, and all of a sudden lots of big wet snowflakes swirling around creating a white overcoat, the snow flurry was well and truly under way. It was rather magical and I hope these photos and video clip shows the magic of a March winter wonderland.
My kids say they are too old to dress up for #WorldBookDay so rather than create a costume I have been looking through photographs of books, book shelves, libraries and snugs of National Trust Properties in the Midlands area.
National Trust Baddesley Clinton
National Trust Charlecote Park
National Trust Wightwick Manor
The sky is blue, sun’s shining and there’s a nip in the air so wrapping up snug head off to  National Trust Calke Abbey to see the Snowdrops. I am no Galanthophile (Snowdrop fancier) but what a lovely  collection of Snowdrops displayed on the Auricula theatre.
Snowdrops with double and frilly petals, some single with long petals, others single with short petals, all in individual pots each with a variety label. Below are snowdrops plants photos followed by a closer image of that plant.
Fantastic blue sky and sunshine illuminating front of the house
As you walk between the house and the gardens Snowdrops can also be seen growing naturally springing up amongst the leaves.
Snowdrop season is a few weeks earlier than last year but a sign that Spring really is just around the corner. I for one cannot wait for the next flourish of colour.
What better way to end a lovely day out than with a sunset
Autumn colour begins at National Trust Calke Abbey I adore the changing seasons
Into the Beech woodland for a lovely afternoon stroll
Beautiful sunlight shines through the leaves and sunlight makes a magical rainbow
Along the woodland path a little further and the most magnificent bright colours of Beech and Ash tree leaves, the woods are beginning to catch fire with the colours of Autumn
I am not an expert at identifying fungi but with the help of my trusty Collins Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe book an attempt is made at naming them. Definitely would never trust my id and always buy mushrooms from the supermarket!
Shaggy Scallycap Fungi
Amethyst Deceiver toadstool
Pale Tussock Moth caterpillar with its amazing fluffy looking tufts of hair inches it’s way past whilst photographing fungi
One of my favourite Stag photos so far this year, looking great against Horse Chestnut
A Stag emerges from the trees blowing a raspberry or maybe he is just pursuing a Doe?
Down by the pond he splashes, waits, splashes some more and then wallows all with the purpose of making himself smell nice, Rutting season has certainly begun
Beautiful reflections at Mere Pond
Accompanied by our daughter we had a really lovely beginning of Autumn stroll
Apple picking season is nearly upon us and this years harvest looks to be a bumper crop.
Over the past few days I’ve visited a few Orchards looked after by the National Trust to check out the harvest. I’ve been to Calke Abbey, Coughton Court and Stoneywell Cottage.
So many old varieties of Apples in various shapes, sizes and colours. Due to an allergy it’s a shame I can only eat them cooked but hey Apple Pie it is
This is the first in a series of “Apple Blogs”  hope you enjoy seeing a few of the varieties at Calke Abbey
Calke Abbey Orchard
Winter Quarenden
Sissons Worksop
Catshead 
Ashmeads Kernel
Barnack Orange
Belvoir Seedling
Bess Pool
Marriage Maker
Pickerings Seedling
Domino
Nottingham Pippin
Queen Charlotte
An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away
With this this many Apples waiting to harvest there should keep the Doctor away for quite sometime!!
This week 1 – 7 June has been volunteers week, celebrating all the hard work volunteers do for the Trust and other organisations.
As many of you know I am a photographic volunteer for the National Trust at Calke Abbey and today marks the 2nd anniversary of me joining the Trust volunteer team. 
Here’s what I’ve been up to this week.
Monday: Started with the announcement I had gained 3rd place for some photographs entered into National Trust volunteer photography competiton.
Tuesday: A lunchtime stroll around National Trust Stoneywell and friendly chat over the stone wall with local cows
Wednesday: Today was the day to suit up ready for a Bee Hive inspection with Paul Simpson in the Apple Orchard, he’s beekeeper and one of the gardeners at Calke Abbey
Time for a little daisy chain making before the lawnmower had other ideas.
Thursday: A few ladders to climb to have a look at the conservation work currently happening at Staunton Harold Church with Steve Bull, Stonemason.
After the church onto Calke Abbey for a short meander through the Physic Garden, spotted these baby Blue Tits that look almost ready to fledge and into the Orangery to be stunned by amazing shadows. What nicer place to eat your lunch before going on a Ranger led walk in the afternoon
Fantastic walk around part of Calke Abbeys estate with Ranger Ben Robinson looking at plant life, here’s Twayblade, Speedwell and Henbane then into the Deer pen.
Friday: End of a busy week and supermarket shopping was called for
Not every week is like this, however this week has been an absolute blast and loved every minute of it, thankyou National Trust for amazing opportunities.
Our adventures ended on Easter Sunday with a visit to  National Trust Calke Abbey to take part in their Cadbury Easter trail. Blue sky, sun shining and Bunny ears were on, a perfect day for hopping around the estate.
Again another fabulous National Trust trail this time with rhyming clues written on Brown Hares
Following the decorative painted signs showing the way we found a Rabbit down the Gardeners tunnel!
 
Reaching trail end, only a few more riddles left to solve.
Enjoying chocolate egg after a really lovely walk
Signs of Spring are popping up all over the place, vibrant bright green Larch leaves are just starting to burst open and Cowslips in the meadow
Easter fun around Squirts stables area and having a go at some of the old traditional games. Hoop rolling must have been a very noisy game to play as the video at the end of this blog will demonstrate..
susanguyphotography 