Fireweed

As the commuters roared to work I went for a quiet run along the railway line at Malton with the dogs. The forecast on the 7.55am news was for much colder weather followed by rain, but as I ran the clouds rolled away and the light was astonishing. This fireweed, all frothy seedhead, looked like a firework. The woods were full of the sound of birds, the dogs dashed about ecstatic, scenting rabbits, foxes and badgers from the night before. I felt elated, but even when I drove back down into the dale I could see the misty rain rolling down the hillsides like a great tide.