Snowdrops in Leicester Square, Lumiere, London, Jan 2016
January flew by and lively February is now upon us – a month of snowdrops, Chinese monkeys, Carnival and perhaps even some actual snow.
SNOWDROP FESTIVALS
For me the delicate flowers of the snowdrop are a joyous signal that Spring will be with us soon. Many gardens open in February and/or March especially to let us enjoy their white snowdrop displays. Our winter here in Britain has been so mild that several flowering plants have made an early appearance, so it may be best to visit snowdrop gardens a little earlier than normal this year.
A small pick from the many snowdrop places:
Abriachan Garden Nursery, Killianan, Loch Ness Side, Inverness, IV3 8LA – combine snowdrop enjoyment with views over Loch Ness
Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ – they even provide a map to help you find the flowers in their gardens
The Argory, 144 Derrycaw Rd, Dungannon BT71 6NA – take an enjoyable walk here on February weekends
Craigengillan Estate and Dark Sky Observatory, Dalmellington, Ayrshire, KA6 7PZ – a new addition to the Scottish Snowdrop Festival and with a special offer on 21 February of following your snowdrop admiring with star-gazing at the observatory.
Winter Garden at Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4SJ
Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ – guided tours of the garden’s delightful snowdrop collection on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 February – 6 March.
7 The Grove, Highgate Village, London, N6 6JU – a small wildlife garden in northern London
CHINESE NEW YEAR
The Year of the Monkey comes along on on 8 February and wherever you live there will be celebrations nearby, normally starting the day before the New Year and continues until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the New Year.
This year, London is holding its first Chinese Lantern Festival – there will be 50 giant, hand-sculpted lanterns on a picturesque walk around the gardens of Chiswick House (Chiswick, W4 2RP – nearest tube Turnham Green). It is open Tues-Sun, 3 February to 6 March, with special events on 8 Feb and 15 Feb.
If you’re close to London, the big celebrations will be on 14 February: a grand parade featuring ten lion dance teams will set of from Trafagar Square at 10:00m, weaving its way right into Chinatown, and the main party will be in Trafalgar Square with performers on stage from noon.
OTHER FEBRUARY EVENTS
FURTHER AFIELD
The drink, invented in the 1920’s in Lima by American Victor Morris, is made from the Peruvian brandy Pisco, along with lemon juice, egg whites and simple syrup and topped with foam and cinnamon.
The drink is celebrated annually, on the first Saturday in February.
Hopefully this has given you some food for thought about what you’ll get up to this February.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 31 January 2016
Travel with Intent 