The Glory of Gorse

Particularly this year . . .Gorse in West Cornwall started to bloom over a month ago - and what a display it's been since. When I used to commute to work on the bus in the grey, damp mist when all around me was dull and colourless, what really stood out was the gorse - bright yellow in the grey. A really cheering plant despite the prickles. And the stems and branches have quite weird and wonderful textures and shapes. I feel that this is a much underrated plant. For the brave among us there's also the possibility of gorse wine although I've never tasted it. So here's to gorse!