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[the village] |
After a previous visit to Walsingham, I started this series of web pages. At the time, I had a single photograph of the abbey grounds, but we recently returned for the Snowdrop Walks. We'd decided well in advance, but clearly snowdrop season varies from year to year, so when we noticed snowdrops blooming near us, I dutifully rang the estate office on +44 (0) 1328 820259, to ask when the snowdrops would be at their best. A very helpful lady told me when they would start opening and gave me times. She also warned me that it was quite muddy and that stout footwear would be an advantage.
We intended to drive up on the Saturday evening, stay in Fakenham and go over to Walsingham first thing on Candlemas. I called the Crown Inn on +44 (0) 1328 862172 and booked a room. They have a smashing restaurant and by south-eastern standards the room rates are a steal. We were all set.
On Wednesday it snowed. Boston, Mass., had twelve inches of snow that afternoon and no-one much noticed. In East Anglia less than three inches brought the motorways to a standstill, with twenty mile jams and motorists stuck in their cars for twelve hours or more. First I worried that we wouldn't be able to go. Then when we got off the Motorway I worried that we wouldn't be able to see the snowdrops. Sunday dawned fine and clear and the sun appeared to be melting the snow on parked cars. The forecast was for cloud in the afternoon so, to give the most chance of seeing the snowdrops, we walked the new Pilgrims' Way first. We didn't have time on our last visit, so I wanted to photograph it for this site and you can see the results here.
Shortly after mid-day, we returned and holed up in the Black Lion for a drink and to warm up. Then, with some trepidation, we walked to the abbey. We peered in through the gates and all I could see was fields of snow. My heart sank, but at the entrance the Snowdrop Walks sign was up, so we went in an were rewarded with clumps of snowdrops in the beds near the building. At least we'd seen some: they were beautiful and I photographed them mixed in with some aconites for contrast. Mission accomplished, we walked into the woods.
Those of you who've been can stop laughing now. We didn't know what to expect. For those who haven't, you've missed something quite special. As you enter the woods, you're surrounded by a carpet of snowdrops. As far as the eye can see, snowdrops. I don't think I've even seen bluebells so densely packed over such a wide area before.
I think, also, that the contrast between the snow and the snowdrop carpets made the day even more magical. The sun came out just enough to provide a beautiful light without being bright enough for the reflection from the snow to swamp the pictures. For me, these shots will always bring back memories of a wonderful day.