May bank holiday brings a verdant explosion

Few things are rarer than a British bank holiday with good weather.  It was a rainy bank holiday that triggered this blog's first entry six years ago, and the majority of them since have seen rain, wind, clouds and cool weather.  But not this year.  After a wet, miserable winter that never seemed to end, the early May bank holiday sprung upon us with warmth and sunny skies.  Nature is exploding to catch up with where it should be.  It was a weekend to be outside.  A weekend to let pictures speak louder than words.

I discovered that one of the UK's top 25 specialist nurseries, Hardy's Cottage Plants, was just half an hour from my house.  I bought a few plants.  Many more will come.

Back to the garden, where I planted the new things from Hardy's, then sat on this lower patio, watching the dogs romp and reading gardening magazines.

It's two picturesque miles across fields to the local National Trust property.  Right now the paths are edged with blossoms.  Because spring was late, the hawthorns are still in full bloom.

This year's late-blooming primroses, unusually, are side-by-side with the bluebells.

Just 20 minutes from the house, I can find this idyllic little stream bordered by bluebells.  One of the best things about Basingstoke is how quickly you can get out of it!

Freshly-plowed fields, pregnant with summer.

Iconic English oaks fringed with new leaves.

A mix of tiny flowers at the edge of the path.

At the end of the walk, the formal glory of the gardens at The Vyne.

Far too exciting a weekend for a puppy.  Bruno is exhausted!