Fruit of the Spindle

This is about the third time I have blipped the Spindle! This bush is part of a new hedgerow we planted two or three years ago. Pruning has resulted in a mass of pink and orange fruit covering the stems.

The flower is insignificant but after pollination four bright pink lobes appear and curl back to show an orange berry. Very poisonous. The wood of the spindle is extremely hard and was once used to make spindles to spin carded sheeps' wool long before the invention of the spinning-wheel. It was also burned to make good quality charcoal for artists.

Today has been gloriously sunny and bright. We hope to get some cattle into the yards tonight!

Guy Fawkes Night! The village had their fireworks on Saturday.