We took our snazzy camera along, so Tom had that (I had my glasses on and I can’t use it when I do – how ridiculous is that?!) and I had my phone camera. The spring flowers are just coming up so the snowdrops and crocuses are out (although the crocuses were closed up to protect themselves from the wind). There are so many kinds of snowdrops there, and Christine (who owns the gardens with her husband, Mike) was busy doing an inventory of all the different kinds. Such a windy day to be doing it, so cups of tea were frequently required to help! We had some lunch first to gear up to face the winds. Here are a selection of photos that Tom took:[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” interval=”3″ images=”7154,7155,7152,7153,7151,7156,7157,7158,7159,7161,7162,7164,7165,7166,7149,7167″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” column_number=”2″ grayscale=”no” choose_frame=”default” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1426091973134{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]I really love being able to see the bare bones of a garden at the beginning of spring, with the pops of colour here and there. Here are some of my photos:[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” interval=”3″ images=”7169,7170,7171,7172,7173,7174,7175,7176,7177,7168,7178,7179,7180,7181,7182,7183″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” column_number=”2″ grayscale=”no” choose_frame=”default” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1426092376214{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]The hellebores were just beautiful – the wind made it difficult to take photos of them at times! One of my favourites from the day was that unusual iris with its pale blue and yellow petals. Just gorgeous! We bought a couple of plants to take away with us too, so hoping to get them planted out soon. And we’re really looking forward to going back in a few weeks to see some more of the spring flowers and how the garden has grown![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Birkheads Secret Gardens in spring appeared first on Hello! Hooray!.

Can you believe it was a year on Sunday since we got married?! I can’t believe we celebrated our first anniversary this weekend! Last year, my blog was full of wedding-related posts and the run up to the big day went so fast, but this year has actually flown by as well. It has been lovely to reflect on our special day and our first year of marriage Hooray! To celebrate we had a really lovely day out and a stay in a B&B which was fab – and a lovely surprise which Tom had organised! It felt like we were on holiday…but we did have to go to work on Monday!

The first place we went to was Tanfield Railway, which is just outside County Durham and it’s the oldest railway in Britain. I had never been on a steam train before, and the past few occasions when we’ve tried to go on one the steam train has been replaced by a diesel engine!

I’m pleased to say that it was a steam train – yay! We had a little potter around the train shed before we went on it too, and in keeping with tradition I bought a pencil and eraser! Here’s a little selection of some of my photos (I took quite a lot…):[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”3″ images=”5381,5382,5383,5384,5385,5386,5387,5388,5389,5390″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” column_number=”2″ grayscale=”no” choose_frame=”default” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1411070641466{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]We had a yummy lunch at the Black Horse pub afterwards which set us up for the afternoon, and then walked along to Birkheads Secret Gardens, which is just the most wonderful place! The owners, Christine and Mike, created the gardens from a field (amazing!) and they also have a little nursery, shop and a cafe there. It’s the perfect place for a lovely day out, and we bought a season ticket so that we can go there at different times of year. I can’t wait to go when all the helibores are out – they have so many there and it must be wonderful to see! Here’s a little gallery of some photos I took:[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”3″ images=”5394,5395,5396,5397,5398,5399,5400,5401,5402,5403″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” column_number=”2″ grayscale=”no” choose_frame=”default” img_size=”Large”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1411070678403{padding-top: 30px !important;}”]We stayed at Hedley Hall B&B, and I’d definitely go there again for a little weekend away – it was fab!

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The post Our first wedding anniversary! appeared first on Hello! Hooray!.