Thistle flower

This thistle is along The Dene near Stockbridge. This isn't a Scottish Thistle as it doesn't have the barbs and spiky leaves. It is probably a Creeping Thistle. The flowers weren't here last week. But with the long daylight hours and warm temperatures everything is sprouting like mad.

The Union canal, which had its banks trimmed only a couple of weeks ago, already has vegetation reaching over a metre in height.