WEDNESDAY WALK

Mr. HCB didn’t feel like gardening today, so instead we went for a walk just around where we live and as we are very fortunate to live near a lake, we decided to walk there as we hadn’t been around that area for a few months.  In fact, the last time we were around the lake was in early Spring, so it was interesting to see how the trees, hedges and plants had grown.  

Several members of the community have made some beautiful flower beds so instead of just paths and grass, there are now a number of beds with various plants and flowers, which are all looking good.  Of course, it will take a while for these to get established, but hopefully next year, they will look much better.  There are lots of Canada geese around, so I just hope they don’t eat any of the plants and I hope too that dog owners will keep their dogs on leads so that they don’t make a mess of the beds.  

A little brook runs alongside the path and although we were quite near the road, we didn’t hear much traffic and didn’t see too many people, so it was a very pleasant walk.

I stopped to take several photographs of derelict trees and various plants, but this little one caught my eye.  I didn’t know what it was, so as soon as we got home, Mr. HCB looked in our British Wildlife and Plant book.  We couldn’t find anything in there, but he seemed to think it might be Comfrey or to give it its proper name, “Symphytum orientale”, so I looked online and he was right!  Apparently, it is common in damp places, woodland and hedge banks - and this was on the bank of the brook.  

Apparently, Comfrey is good as a fertiliser for plants, so says Monty Don on the Gardeners’ World television programme and according to Mr. Google, “Comfrey’s original name, knitbone, derives from the external use of poultices of its leaves and roots to heal burns, sprains, swelling, and bruises. In Western Europe, comfrey has been used topically for treating inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, gout, and thrombophlebitis, and internally for treating diarrhoea.”  Mr. Google also said, “The comfrey plant contains several beneficial compounds which help to revive tired, aged, wrinkled skin” so perhaps I’d better go back and pick some lots to use!

When we got home, I decided to do some work in the conservatory on the windows and the ledges above, so I had my Domestic Goddess hat on again.  After lunch I had a Whatsapp video call from Sister Veronica, one of my Blip friends, and now it’s not long before afternoon tea with the neighbours.  Mr. HCB is doing his new 500 piece Wentworth jigsaw puzzle, which may take him sometime as it’s a reflection, but it keeps him out of mischief.

“Wildflowers aren't meant to be cut and tamed; 
     they're meant to be loved and admired.” 
Anthony T. Hincks