Don't try this at home kids!

July already, and a bright start to the day quickly transformed into a dull grey morning. The sun came out in York this afternoon and was still shining when I arrived home.

There's a small display of foxgloves in the back garden this year.

Foxgloves have been widely used in folk medicine as a cure for sore throats, as compresses for bruising and ulcers, and as a diuretic; it was, however, often fatal. The plant contains a powerful cardio-active agent, which slows and the heart rate, and stimulates the kidneys to clear excess fluid from the body. The therapeutic dose is however, very close to a lethal dose so don't try this at home kids.