Friday 22nd March 2019.

I was up and out early again this morning and on the Barff with M & G for 6.30am, I have been fortunate this week to have seen some beautiful sunrises and today was no exception. It was a pleasant cool morning 8C with little to no wind, in fact this week it has been warm enough for me to Ieave my outer jacket at home whilst walking. I have just noticed one or two Bluebells beginning to come into flower today, it will be early April though before they will be looking their best so at least a couple of weeks to go, weather permitting of course.

After a good refreshing walk with the dogs I was back home for 8.30am, after breakfast the weather forecast for the day looked quite promising so we decided to head up north with the dogs to have a look at the daffodils at Thorpe Perrow Arboretum in Bedale. 

It is just a pleasant fifty minute drive from home to the arboretum and we arrived just before 11.00am. The sun was shining and we had a very pleasant walk with the dogs along the daffodil trail. 

It is just a month since our last visit then the Snowdrops were in full bloom and the daffodils were coming through. Today the Snowdrops had died right back and the daffodils were looking beautiful. Apparently there are about 110 different varieties of daffodil in the arboretum, lining the sides of the paths and covering large areas under and amongst the trees, forming huge yellow blankets of colour. The area of the woodland known as ‘Spring Woods’ dates back to medieval times and one species of daffodil called Narcissus barrii conspicuous can be found in this part of the woods, the guide book states that this daffodil was introduced to the arboretum by the Victorians and apparently is known to pre date 1869 so it is a real old timer. 

Another popular daffodil is Narcissus pseudonarcissus which can also be found in Spring woods as well as other parts of the arboretum.

The daffodil trail starts from the visitors centre and is clearly marked with a series of numbered information boards each giving interesting and fascinating facts about the daffodil. It is a lovely walk which gives great views of the many different variety of daffodil which can be found around the arboretum.

Any walk around the woodland is not complete without a cup of tea and brunch in the café, a fitting way to end a very pleasant morning.