A press release from the National Trust provided just the excuse I needed to visit what is probably the country’s greatest ruin – Fountains Abbey. Frost and snow has lingered long around this part of Yorkshire and only over the last week or so have the snowdrops started to flower. Michael Ridsdale, Head of Landscape at the magnificent setting near Ripon, says: “Now is the time to come and see the snowdrops looking most splendid. They’ve been slow to emerge due to the heavy frosts we’ve had throughout January, but the ground has finally thawed, allowing them to bloom.”   I know we Yorkshire folk tend to brag about our county a little too often for many people’s liking but this world heritage site is truly spectacular and a pleasure to visit at any time of year.