We love to go a'bluebelling

Because of George's bad hips he's not able to walk uphill very well these days so, as our favourite bluebell places are in very hilly and steep locations, we've not been able to get our usual bluebell fix. However we did take him to nearby Clyne Gardens - we drove there - and he managed to walk up the gentle hill - with the promise that it was downhill on the way back - so we did a bit of bluebell spotting.

With wild garlic

These are native bluebells unlike the ones that grow in our garden which are of the Spanish bluebell variety. I think the native bluebell looks much more fragile and delicate and the blue colour is unlike any other. (You can get white native bluebells too I've discovered.)

There is some concern that cross fertilisation with the Spanish invader - which incidentally has been here since the nineteenth century at least - may lead to the disappearance of our beautiful native species. Already many hybrids are to be found in the mix. I definitely prefer the native ones for their fragility and colour so hope that doesn't happen.

Clyne Gardens is famed for its rhododendron and azalea collection.