Furze

The furze is out! Also known as gorse, this shrub blossoms at least twice a year, including throughout the winter. Its vibrant yellow flowers look fantastic against a blue sky such as today's. It grows more or less anywhere and is a good fuel and useful windbreak, though it's practically impossible to get rid of. It has massive thorns and only donkeys can cope with it. It also has the most exotic smell - sort of coconut biscuit! There's all sorts of folklore associated with it but I like this saying:
when gorse is out of blossom
kissing's out of fashion
Don't know what it means but it's good to kiss now!

A nice lazy day, we hit the heights of the Christmas Fair in Durrus, then did a brisk walk of the circuit calling in to some friends to inspect their new hot tub - I'm very envious as the thought of sitting in a little tub of steaming hot water under the clear skies is very appealing!