The river bank surprise

I had a few minutes to spare after dropping Helena at her teaching job near Brimscombe, and a camera.  I parked by the old bridge, where Hope Mill Lane crosses the River Frome, and wandered slowly about enjoying the sound of the river flowing swiftly by.  A lot of birds sang brightly as they flew between the branches of trees on both sides of the river.

I walked to the bridge and leaned down to peer into the water running beneath. Then I spotted some purple flowers on the unkempt undergrowth on the bank close by the bridge.  I found a way over the fence and managed to get close enough to grab this picture for today's Flower Friday challenge.  I don't know what the plant actually is called, but I was delighted by their colour and this time of the year, and their shape which reminded me of mallow flowers although I'm sure they are not.