Alexanders' springtime stand

I love little stretches of old road, offcuts snipped away during the process of realignment, undisturbed by traffic and left to their own devices as wild life corridors, litter dumps, short cuts and secret hide-outs for foragers, wayfarers and lurkers. This one was once the steep climb up from the old harbour or the breakneck descent down to it, where horses needed to be urged up or guided down as their hooves sought to grip the slope.

When the pitch proved too much for motor vehicles as the 20th century wore on a new more gradual ascent replaced it and the old road sank into disuse except as a footpath. Alexanders, that handsome edible plant introduced by the Romans, has taken a firm hold here and at this time of the spring its golden-green leaves and flowers make quite a showing along the old road. I sometimes cut and prepare its thick celery-like stems as a side dish (see here). Mostly though I just enjoy the sight of this latterday Roman invasion and in particular the candy-striped stem sheaths that protect the emerging side shoots (see inserted image).

(A piece in the Independent today suggests we should be more tolerant of 'alien' and 'invasive' species and to see them as assets, not threats.  I'm share that opinion. See Green xenophobia.)