Kirkton to Rathen in 'just Spring'

Crocus vernus, naturalised along the Line near Philorth Halt 

Yesterday the wind was so strong and the cold so intense that we were forced to abandon the Line and walk out towards Rathen through Philorth Woods. We were rewarded by the masses of snowdrops in the woods. Already the wild garlic leaves are starting to unfurl and the lesser celandines have lush, mottled green leaves; flowers are surely imminent. Close to Rathen Station an ermine ran across the line just in front of us and stood for several seconds weighing us up before gliding down the embankment to peer out from the shelter of the undergrowth. It was the most beautiful creature with snow white fur, yellowish about the shoulders and with a black tip to its tail. Today  a weasel darted  across the Line near the Golf Club, again an inquisitive beast who stood for  a moment to consider us.
To day was a complete contrast, the sun was warm on our backs as we walked along the Line towards Fraserburgh, we had heard larks over the bents and seen  buzzards over the castle woods. There are several small clumps of snowdrops at the lineside all the way along this stretch. From Philorth Halt to the Golf Club the grass is studded with little patches of pale crocus, their chalice like flowers wide open in the sun. Willows have silky grey catkins and the alder catkins are fully open, there are swollen buds on the hawthorns and apple trees. Spring surely has arrived at last.