Sorry but I can't resist a few more bluebell shots... It's May Day so I need to celebrate.
These were actually taken on April 22 at Bolton Abbey. I met a friend there for a walk. This was only about a week after I visited previously, when the bluebells were just coming into bloom. A week on - and some sunshine - and the flowers had mostly unfurled right to their top bud - 'peak bluebell'. As I mentioned before, they're a good couple of weeks earlier this year than one would usually expect.
They look better when photographed in soft light rather than sunshine - but glorious nevertheless.
It's by far my favourite time of year. If I was condemned to spend the rest of my life in an English bluebell wood in spring, I wouldn't complain! Happily there are a few very good local sites where you can be sure of seeing them.
In the space of a week, the wild garlic has gone from being just leaves to being studded with white flowers too. So pretty.
