Golden Bracken

Hurrah...some sunshine, at last!

After several days of mist and gloom, the sun finally broke through this morning.  That was such a welcome sight.  The bracken was glowing golden in the early low winter sunshine.

H and I walked a circular route taking in Kelling Heath, Muckleburgh Hill, round to the coast and back via Kelling Village.  On the way back up the hill to the heath we came across the wildflower in extras.  It's a new one to me and I had to look it up.  It's a Winter Helioptrope, and has distinctive kidney shaped leaves.  In fact, I've seen this along the verge quite close to home and had wondered what it was.  It's an introduced species from the central Mediterranean area and, unusually, flowers here between November and February.  Apparently the flower heads smell of vanilla.