It’s been a tricksy month weatherwise. The leafing trees and blooming bulbs have been saying spring. Likewise the few days of blue sky and warmth that lured us, wantonly, to cast off clouts and dream of summer days. But then next, to put us right, came winds, icy, perishing blasts under leaden skies, and it was back to triple woollies.
Towards the end of the month came another false spring. As we drove out of Shropshire and down to Warwickshire its arrival seemed so certain. More blue skies. Banks of daffodils and primroses on every roadside. The blackthorn and wild cherry blossom running riot in dazzling white arcades; hawthorn hedges bursting in greens too green to imagine.
We were off for a few days beside the river at Bidford-on-Avon, on the fringes of ‘Shakespeare Country’. (It’s said that Will took part in a riotous drinking contest at the Falcon Inn in Bidford). It is also known for its ancient bridge, built in the fifteenth century, downstream of an an even more ancient Roman ford on the Icknield Way.
We arrived on a perfect afternoon. And so the spell held – for another day.
Our spot on the river with narrow boats moored alongside
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And then it was back to grey skies and sharp winds. But we still enjoyed a ramble round the mostly slumbering ‘garden rooms’ at Hidcote Manor, the must-see creation for passionate gardeners and plant lovers, and one of the Cotswolds’ biggest visitor attractions. But as you can see, signs of spring, apart from the magnolias, were few and far between. This is definitely a summer garden:
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There was an amusing sighting though. I stopped to take a photo of the couple at the gates, and then realised they were watching a little robot lawnmower trundling back and forth between the hedges. It seemed to have its work cut out:
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We also came upon a novel way to display (actually get to see) hellebore flowers, which do so hide their faces when growing out in the garden – a shallow dish filled with water:
It’s actually been a fine season for hellebores – even if it is hard to see the flowers. These were spotted at Hillers’ garden centre near Bidford.
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On our final evening we walked along the riverbank accompanied now and then by swans. I think they were hoping for a hand-out:
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Now home again, the little tulips in the front garden make a bright show. At least they do when the sun comes out. At the moment as I write this they are closed up tight under gloomy cloud. Also waiting for spring…
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The Changing Seasons: March 2026 This month Brian from Bushboys World is the host. Please go and see his marvellous gallery of March sightings.
Beautiful, Tish!
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Sounds like a nice relaxing getaway. What a lovely spot by the river. We’ve only visited Hidcote in July and early June (after a very cold spring) both times were good. Even better are the late evenings when all the coaches have disappeared. I agree that the hellebores have been great this year, who knew they liked a lot of rain? And your tulips are so pretty, could they be Peppermint Sticks? I used to have some, but they dwindled.
I think they might well be Peppermint Sticks, Jude. I was trying to remember.
What a lovely sortie. You seem to have seen the best of Spring, despite the changeable weather.
Blue skies here today, but still that nippy wind.
What a great adventure Tish. The changeable weather was confusing for people, animals and flowers wasn’t it. The Manor House looked like a great place to visit.
Thanks for joining in The Changing Seasons 😀
Many thanks for hosting, Brian.
You’re welcome Tish 😀
So beautiful Tish!
Thanks, Anne.
Nice place, Tish! Hellebores come in such beguiling colours xx
Hellebores can be amazing when planted where they look their best. The beheading arrangement does seem a bit cruel, but then you get to see you all lovely variations.
Quite a mix of grey and blue skies in your photos
Yes, v. changeable UK weather, I.J.
interesting to see such vari ed skies in such a short space of time, and interesting to see Hidcote
Hidcote was lovely if not in its best season. I gather in summer you have to book a visiting slot which doesn’t appeal.
A good few years since I last went, probably a decade, and I don’t recall having to book a slot
The magnolias are magnificent and I love your little tulips, but I agree that spring has been teasing us this past month. It’s definitely not yet time to cast those clouts, tempting as it has been on the odd day!
The magnolias have been pretty amazing this year, considering all the wind. And yes, bracing temps continue…
I think that tricky spring visited us too. we had blue skies, snow melting everywhere, and the, overnight, 40cm of snow on the ground … good news is it’s almost gone, and hopefully, that’s about it for us with snow this winter/spring. 😀
Wishing you a happy spring, Widders. Sudden snow dumps of 40cm, however brief, definitely not welcome.
Stunning, Tish.
Thank you, Flavia.
Beautiful!
So delighted to have you at The Changing Seasons, Tish. Thank you for sharing your beautiful month. I am particularly taken by your bowl of hellebores – so pretty and engaging!
Happy to show up, Ju-Lyn. That bowl of hellebores was rather stunning, wasn’t it.