Howick Hall

Howick Hall is just a few miles from Alnwick and is the ancestral home of the Earls Grey - of 'tea' fame and the monument in Newcastle.

The grounds are well worth a visit at many different times of the year as it is a truy seasonal site.  And, at the moment, it is Snowdrop season. Along with about 500 others it seemed, by the length of the queues in the tea shop, we took advantage of what appeared to be the only sunny Sunday in February.

There are many different Snowdrops, including a 'double' variety and the scarce yellow-topped flower (Galanthus navalis sansersii).

There was plenty of other colour too; rhododendrons and azaleas; crocuses...

And bright yellow provided by Mahonia, Coltsfoot and Winter Aconites...

And it was even sunny enough to bring out bees - including this Honey Bee...

After tea and cake we took the short ride down to Howick Haven.  There are lovely views of Dunstanburgh Castle as you look north...

We saw Stonechats, pretending to by flycatchers, and Linnets; Oystercatchers and Eiders and three distant juvenile Red-throated Divers - all caught in the lovely golden light of the setting sun.

Stonechat