The joys of outside.

When the common cold virus hits you hard the inside with its warmth, comfort and instant access to Mozart certainly has its attractions. But after a week of it you lookout of the window at the sunshine and the outside becomes irresistable.

So Mrs. K. drove us to Sizergh Castle ( NT ) and there among the Snowdrops and Winter Aconites we found this Witch Hazel ( Hamemalis mollis).
The name has no connection with witches although its use in water divining might lead one to think it had magic properties. It relates to an Old English word wyche meaning flexible or bendy.

It is a shrub about 5 feet tall in which the flowers appear in mid to late winter whilst last year’s fruits are still there
Most people will know of the medicinal uses. A distillation of its leaves and bark is useful for treating skin conditions and bruises.


PS. As somebody asked, the Succulent a couple of days ago with the wavy leaf edges was a Kalenchoe from Madagascar.