Bluebells and Apple Blossom

 It was a nice day and we had nothing in particular on; note that is not the same as having nothing to do! Bluebells were out in Surrey ...

Photo 1: Bluebells near Oxted, Surrey (13th April 2025)

... and in our back garden ...

Photo 2: Garden Bluebells (16th April 2025)

... so it was time to check out the Malverns. Although a little early in the season, we were not disappointed.

Photo 3: Mary heading for the bluebells, Malverns, April 24th 2025 

Photo 4: Malvern Bluebells (24/4/25)

We had planned on having lunch at the Hop Pocket, but a wrong turning meant a change of plan and a delayed lunch at the National Trust's Brockhampton Estate. The catering facilities are somewhat basic but we were able to enjoy the curried cauliflower pasty with a cup of tea, returning later for an ice cream. 

Photo 5: Moated Lower Brockhampton Manor House

There was time for a walk through the damson orchard (complete with Hebridean sheep and lambs) ...

Photo 6: Hebridean Sheep in the Damson Orchard

... around the new apple core orchard ...

Photo 6: Apple core Orchard

Cuckoo flower and dandelions were abundant ...

Photo 7: Cuckoo Flower and Dandelions, Brockhampton Estate (24/4/25)

Cuckoo flower (aka lady's smock, mayflower and milkmaids) is the food plant of the Orange Tip Butterfly, arriving from stage right in the next photo ...

Photo 8: Cuckoo Flower and Orange Tip Butterfly

Time to head home after a pleasant day in the countryside.