Bluebells, Buttercups and Buffers

Early(ish) on Sunday morning we set out on our annual Bluebell Walk at Bolton Abbey.



You may remember we were here doing this exact same walk three weeks ago, but we were too early and there were sadly no bluebells in flower back then.

Not so this week. They were in full bloom (perhaps slightly past their best) and I was unbelievably glad we made the effort to go see them before they fade completely.

The walk through Strid wood was filled with intense colour and light.

Not quite as blue-blue as I was expecting, but still.......

.....plenty blue enough.

And then there was the wild garlic also in full flower now.

Bluebells and garlic together, it was an intoxicating mix.

The vibrant green of the fresh leaves was still as stunning as it had been three weeks ago, and the light.............

.......oh the light! The sunlight was absolutely breathtakingly magical.

It bounced and dazzled and sparkled it's way through leaves and across still water until I thought I couldn't stand the beauty of it.

It honestly took my breath away, and made me gasp with delight. This is one of my favourite, most favourite bits in the whole of the Bolton Abbey Estate (and there are 30,000 acres here). It is where the Purple Trail (which is very short, see here) takes you down to the edge of the river, to a small sandy beach. Unlike the rest of the river, the water  is remarkably still here, almost like a pool, and the reflections and light are incredibly beautiful.

The Little People also love it here. They plop stones into the still water to make circular ripples and they get sticks to draw patterns in the sun dappled sand. I think there must be a little bit of magic right here somehow.

After the stillness of that little bit, the river soon gets back to it's wide, tumbling, rushing, gurgling self.

Walking back towards the car along the riverside, it was lovely to see so many golden buttercups. It reminded me of the many camping trips we've taken in May over the years (here and here) and made me long to be out adventuring in Connievan again. By the way, we have some exciting news re Connievan which I'll be sharing with you very soon. Veeeeeeeery exciting, I am trying hard not to squeeeeeeel!!!

After all that giddy flower and light and water and leaf appreciation, I was in dire need of refreshment, so I suggested Buffers. Eh? said the Little People? What's Buffers??? I honestly couldn't believe they had forgotten, but then when I started to remind them about it I realised  a good many years had passed since they had been (do you remember Buffers? It was in 2008!) And furthermore, it was pre-Little B! Oh Little B!!! We are taking you to BUfFeRS!!!!

We drove there this time as we were parked just a short way down the road and there is a small car park at Back O'Th' Hill Farm.

The sunny courtyard with it's cheerful pots full of geraniums and it's small barns full of gently mooing calves was as lovely as I remembered it. We sat at a small wooden table in the sunshine and drank coffee/apple juice and munched on homemade cookies from the little café. But we did not tell Little B about The Upstairs. No. We simply took hold of his chubby little hand and led him up the old wooden steps and watched as he discovered..............

....the model railway. Oh this is such fun for Little Ones, he couldn't quite believe his eyes. There are dozens of train tracks, all with trains that you can operate by pressing doorbell-type buttons. It's a little bit ramshackle, but it really doesn't matter one bit. The LP had lots of fun up here and I loved every minute of watching them.

The only downside to Buffers is that is is pretty hard to leave. The whole atmosphere of the place is very relaxed and homely, and it's a bit like being transported back in time. Old fashioned, in the best possible way.

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Comments

[Dayna Hardin]

No matter what, when your teht starts displaay signs of miles replace it quickly. Can also be a different game and is discussed below.

[Claire Jackson]

Oh my! I have to take my little man here!! Thanks for sharing Buffers. Beautiful pictures as usual xx

[Joanne from Colorado]

How absolutely beautiful.

[Judith]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the bluebells.

[Emma]

Another beautiful post. I've been busy crocheting some granny triangles for you and have just posted about them on my blog. Thank you so much for the inspiration. x

[Alicia]

You remind me of my mother with crafts and nature walks. Your children are fortunate to have you there showing them how beautiful the world is.

[Taylor]

What a beautiful walk! Thanks for the delightful pictures!

[keri]

WOW! That is just beaming w/ wonderfulness! So much fun!

[DZKat]

Wonderful update !! :-)

[Becky]

I really look forward to your blog posts and read them all start to finish the moment they appear. I loved taking this beautiful walk through the photographs with you and your family. Thank you for sharing it with us! Please though: a possessive "its" never takes an apostrophe. "It's" is always a contraction for "it is." Forgive me, but it drives me bonkers whenever I see this.

[Gillian]

I am long overdue a trip to Bolton Abbey. That riverside walk looks magical. x

[Lisa]

I just love this time of year, your photos show the seasons off so beautifully! I am new to your site and so pleased I found it! I have been looking through all of your wonderful creations and hope I haven't missed the bower bird tutorial (you mentioned doing it before the end of spring?)as my daughter just loves birds and I would like to make a mobile for her bedroom xx

[Lisa G.]

Oh, that last photo. Needs to be framed. And the painted by someone.

[Ann]

We've just got back from a week in the Yorkshire Dales and your pictures of the wild garlic reminded me of our lovely holiday. I love catching the smell as you drive around the countryside. Thank you. You live in a very special place.

[Jayne]

What a wonderful place to be able to visit

[Wendy]

I love your posts about your stunning yorkshire. I have fond memoris of a holiday there a few years ago and loved the Bolton Abbey area and the woods. I remember my favourite about Burffers being a tll glass of icey cold mik, full fat, no pasturisation, straight from the cow then the chiller - Delicious

[maypole]

Idyllic! beautiful photos

[Louise]

Oh how I wish my children were all 10 years younger (well for the occasional day out like this, anyway!!) Thanks for sharing your wonderful pics.:)

[louise]

I miss days like this, now the children have grown up. lovely pics, Yorkshire is so beautiful.

[Anna-Marie Field]

Hi Lucy, I so enjoy your Sunday family outings!!!This is the most important years for them and these are memories that they will always remember!!!Do tell soon what up with the connievan!!!Have a bright and happy week!!
Love
AMarie

[CJ]

Small boy bliss indeed. And that river, oh I can imagine my three little people spending many happy hours in the woods and clambering on those rocks. Glad you had such a lovely day. I'm intrigued about the Connievan news, I shall be watching this space. Could it be that she will be a pin-up..?

[Jools Morgan-Jones]

Looks like you all had a fabulous day - thank you so much for sharing it with us, Lucy, it's left me with a smile on my face to take to work with me xx

[dottycookie]

What is it about a model railway? I can't imagine ever wanting to build one myself and yet, on the rare occasions we come across one that someone has lovingly created (and with buttons?! Squeeeee!) I am as transfixed as the children. I think the only thing that captivates me more is a model village, and those are very few and far between now. Hmmmmm. Might have to hunt one out this summer!

[Serendipity]

I love reading about your family days out. Yorkshire looks such a fantastic place to explore. I can see why Buffers would be hard to leave, that train set is wonderful! xx

[Deb]

Gorgeous photos, Lucy! Xxxxx