Blackthorn

The first blossom to appear in early spring is generally the frothy white flowers of the blackthorn tree (Prunus spinosa), such a welcome and uplifting sight against a blue sky. This was the final leg of my Newmillerdam walk, from the attractive village of Chapelthorpe back across a field to Newmillerdam. I liked seeing the ancient stone gateposts.

The crops in the fields are starting to put up bright green shoots and the hawthorn hedges are showing new leaves. It was all a bit boggy though! Another walk that necessitated muddy trousers being slung in the wash and a boot cleaning session on my return home, sigh...