December didn't start well yesterday and for once I don't mean the weather (except to say we were greeted here with a heavy frost and it stayed cold all day) no ... I'm referring to our final match of the current series in the rugby. We were pitched against Australia and it was a close fought battle at The Millennium Stadium (our home turf) and we were doing well, thanks to the valiant efforts of our team and Lee Halfpenny kicking four penalties we were winning ... that is until the very closing minute of the game when sadly in a final and forceful play from the Australians, they went ahead in points and Lee Halfpenny was stretchered off with a neck injury. The only good news regards our rugby side of life is that Lee was released from hospital today. But before I leave the rugby scene, there was one thing that amused me. I know all sports these days need the backup of advertising from various sponsors but ... in the middle of a pitch full of tough rugby players crashing into each other, risking injury, all to gain control of a relatively small, oval ball, there emblazoned on the closely mowed turf was an advert" DOVE MEN + CARE." Kind of ironic I think you'll agree! Anyway ... gripe over and back to thoughts closer to home.
The Reds may have lost on the pitch but they are winning in nature. Bright scarlet bramble leaves that just shine out as the years vegetation fades away or lies in rain beaten, frost damaged heaps. Whilst all around, other leaves turn, rust coloured, slush soggy and brown these hardy leaves seem to defy the frost and just glow with fire-light brightness.
I've been looking back to last year again and the numerous plant species that were still in flower at this time of year ... only 23 days to go until Christmas ... and a time of year that I sort of dislike. Don't get me wrong, I love sharing good food and wine with family and friends, it's just that the lead up becomes so boring.
Forget the lights on various Christmas trees (real or fake) give me this any day ... a dew bejewelled dandelion head gone to seed late in the year and cannot be stored away for a year in some attic hideaway ... the above is a once in a year appearance from nature.
Also this from last year ...
an Ox-eye daisy still in bloom, not perfect maybe, but still a star in it's own way.
the bright yellow "candle light" of gorse flowers ...
and ... an old stump that I sentimentally named "The Old Shepherd" because it was always there ... seemingly looking after the sheep.
Sadly, this year this lovely old remains of a tree has been broken down and lies in pieces at the edge of these vast pasture fields.
But there is one sturdy plant that seems to survive all inclement weather conditions ...
the Yarrow a tenacious plant that will see the bitter winter seasons through.
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