Root and branch

Okay, I know I'm going back to my photographic roots here, because to me a major attraction of blipping is marking the turning year - including blackthorn, of course, which this spring has been as good as I've ever seen it. In this part of Hampshire it's already on its way out and I think will be gone in a week. Two of its old Hampshire names were 'snags' and 'pig-in-the-hedge'.

I think it's a wonderful plant - sloe gin, mm mmm! I love it's very delicate blossom growing off those vicious great thorns. No wonder by medieval times at least it was a Christian symbol - having, before that, been an equally potent pagan one. Apart from the thorns and flowers, the other opposition I like here is between the tiny fragile petals and the huge blurred landscape in which the branch is set.

End of the week, how lovely! I have been up cleaning and shopping for my mum today (exhausting though important) and rather fear I'll have to work over part of the weekend. Still, I'll get some play time. Hope you all do too..