Two very different walks - Coombe Wood,

WALK 1: I had a very enjoyable walk with a friend on Saturday afternoon. I planned not take photos on this walk - that's a first! - however my camera did come out a few times.

Although it had been raining many of the tulips were still standing tall.

We both loved the peach and raspberry swirls as these tulips were closed against the cold, wet weather.

A thoroughly enjoyable walk - the two of us delighting in all the colours, the buds waiting to open and the way the raindrops hung everywhere like scattered glittering gems. So nice to share a walk with someone who really appreciates all the beauty too.

WALK 2: Monday morning - very cold, windy and raining heavily. I had already decided when I heard the weather forecast (a bit crazy!) that I needed to have a walk in the rain so I wrapped up well and set off with a large umbrella for a bit of extreme weather photography.

The tulips were looking more higgledy-piggledy this morning - they had been buffeted by wind and rain overnight - and were still being buffeted by both.

I really should have worn my wellies - there were quite a few places where I had to walk through quite deep puddles - and my boots leak.

White bleeding hearts dripping with rain. 

Futher up the path next to the little stream - and there's an extra little stream running down the path.

Bluebells in the pouring rain. 

Tulips bowed down, almost leaning on the bluebells.

Acer with deep red dripping wet flowers hanging on red stems.

A small pond full width of the path. 

Alliums glittering with raindrops. 

Judas tree buds soaking wet. 

Blossom

Yellow acers - these were tight buds on Saturday - opening now.

Lily of the valley. 

Candyfloss pink. 

Massive rhododendron buds. 

Trumpet like flowers falling on the path under the very tall rhododendron.

Tightly closed magnolia.

I was glad of the tree slices - in spite of my poor balance I managed to step on them to get past this river of water.

Tree peony buds just visible among the leaves

Tiny buds festooned with shining droplets. 

Tulips bowed down by the rain. 

Clusters of tulips leaning towards each other. 

Droplets catching the light on the shaggy edged tulips. 

Another patch of leaning tulips. 

Looking closer. 

Taking in the wonderful colours before heading back to the car.

I was soaked and very cold but it was well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed a big mug of hot chocolate when I got home.

Thank you very much for joining me.