Prickly Thorn

The archetypal Scottish thistle, many of them growing proudly in my garden, actually rather handsome when you look at them closely.  This  is thought to be the plant chosen by James II for Scotland's emblem as it was a symbol of defence. Something to do with rampaging Vikings creeping up on the Scots and standing on thistles and giving themselves away.  Known as spear thistle here.


A beautiful day in West Cork, the air had the feel of a seaside holiday - all warm winds, sunshine and the smell of ozone and seaweed. I have been hard at the cleaning as we have visitors tomorrow, but managed two swims - one en route to the bottle bank and the other later in the afternoon. Truly lovely, I'm now officially back into it. 


Prickly Thorn