What the heck is this?

Yes, it's probably blackthorn, hawthorn flowers from May onwards (also known as May).
The blossom on blackthorn comes out before the leaves.

Blackthorn is doing wonderfully well in Norfolk this year. The flowers have been out for two or three weeks and the leaves are just starting to break. Should be a good year for sloes. Hopefully. Our sloe gin stock is seriously depleted.

I understood the saying "don't cast a clout (clothing) 'til May be out" meant the white later flowering May trees.

One of my mother's favourite sayings when I wanted to leave off my vest
There is some debate about whether it means the May blossom or the month of May.

I have heard that a length of hose on a garden frightens cats away, as they think it is a snake. I have no idea whether it works.

I read somewhere that a cucumber has the same effect.
We tried it and it doesn't work, the cats just walked by ignoring it on their way to having a spray.

Now - a hose pipe connected to the cold water supply works well if it reaches the cat!

My DH has just been knocking on the window to deter next door's cats from pooing and weeing in our front yard. They took no notice. He then got wound up by a car speeding down the street, raising a cloud of dust, and a dog weeing against our garden fence. I've told him about the hose pipe idea (and moved his chair).

We have a gadget with a sensor on it which attaches to the hose so it can be moved around. When anything walks past it gets a squirt of water. Not sure if it works on cats - we haven't seen one get caught yet - but it does with pigeons and the DGC love playing with it.

DH tied the end of the hose to a bit of trellis near where the cats walk through, then he just has to creep outside quietly and turn on the tap. Usually he isn't quiet enough!

ooh, I will have to tell him about the sensor, or surprise him for his birthday. Never know what to buy him, he would love one of those!

This is the "snowdrop" - I have not managed to find an identical one on the net.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201704/medium-620143-20170406-160551.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201704/medium-609045-20170406-160646.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201704/medium-338154-20170406-160654.jpg

And 3 views from the back of the bungalow so you can see why we love it! We can see this view through the enormous windows in living room and bedroom.

We are so lucky.

I think your 'snowdrop' is leucojum aestivum known as 'spring snowflake'. Is it about 15" to 18" tall? I had a small clump when we came here 30 years ago and I have divided it and moved it around and now have quite a lot. It is what I consider a Good Doer.

Oh yes - that is it - isn't it lovely?

At what stage do you divide it? and where is it best to put it? - it is in shade at the moment - is that the light place for it?

I put it all over the place and I think I've divided it at various times. I don't think you can do it any harm, it is very obliging!

The views are stunning

Wow Lucky that is some view! We have an enclosed oasis of a garden at the back - and a car park at the front! Mind you, the car park gives hours of free entertainment, and we are only 400 yards from the town square (40 from the doctors), so there are advantages!