Magnolia?

I was at Walton Hall for a day's training course and on a brief foray for lunch I noticed this magnolia having a serious attempt at flowering. I recalled seeing another blip remarking on this the other day.....found it, it was Orchid99. They normally flower in March/April, don't they? The colleague I was with at the time remarked that her azalea has just started flowering too (normally in April/May). What is going on?

After travelling back to Edinburgh I was very happy to be met by Mr H at the station and have a delicious soothing pint in the B & C on our way home. (I think the beer was called Full Nelson, featuring hops from New Zealand. Mmmmm)