cold comfrey

common comfrey and free loader; this not the Russian variety seen around the village but the old herbalist's favourite. It is growing in our favourite lane. Apparently, so I am told, the name comes from the Latin conferre, to draw together, because it was used to mend broken bones; and a slimy substance of the root made in a posset of ale was good for bad backs. The boss is out in the kitchen sliming away and drinking beer ... fat chance.

ribwort plantain

more complexity. Even ribwort plantain has an interesting private life close up.

native bluebells

this is a very pretty slender thing, with its flowers all down one side, none of the fat exuberance of Aragon. It grows very happily in these meadows.

spirits

up in the meadows, Greenscoombe woods, looking for fritillaries (far too early I think) capturing the spirit of running (I'm the black blur)

yellow archangel

and some yellow archangel; it likes woodlands and hedgerows and is a close relative of white and red deadnettle, supposed to be in flower on September 29, Archangel Michael's day (that reminds me it's my birthday soon, I'm expecting gifts you know) and guards against hob boglins (admin note: biscuit thieves) and were-people who eat puppies.

on the parish boundary

this little patch by the bridge between Luckett and Latchley is full of flowers all spring; the wood anenomes have died back and now it is full of ramsons and bluebells