We made it!

One of our walks each Spring is a trip to a local bluebell wood called Parrot's Drumble. It's managed by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and we were determined to make this year. So far it's been the longest of our weekend outings walking from our front door. 

Our route took us along the Trent and Mersey Canal, and round the edge of Bathpool Park. The nature reserve is actually on the edge of Talke Industrial Estate.

It was a real treat. The bluebells were as beautiful as ever, and we'd set out early enough to have the place to ourselves for much of the time. There were many other wildflowers in evidence including pink campion, stitchwort, wood anenome, wood sorrel, and even the beginnings of yellow archangel.

There are no parrots in the wood. It's named after the family that originally owned it and "drumble" is a local term for a stream running through a wooded valley.

We also saw our first swallow this year too. Yipee!