Poppies gone wild

There's a railway embankment close to my home that has been festooned with thistles and wild poppies for the past couple of years.

This year however the wild flowers have been joined by a couple of self-seeded domesticated poppies.

They've taken a bit of a battering from the high winds and heavy rain of the last 48 hours, but are still doing their best to enhance what is essentially waste ground; aren't they lovely?

Lest we forget, poppies come in other colours too

When I think of poppies I admit my mind immediately turns to the red ones we all associate with the First World War, Flanders fields and Armistice Day.

But of course poppies come in a variety of other colours too. Here are a couple that thrive in my neighbourhood.

These can also be found, but only in one local garden I know of.

And if you keep your eyes open you'll also spot these.

I think my favourite colour of poppy that grows locally is still the red one...

...though of all the poppies I've seen over the years I think this may be the most beautiful.

I don't know anyone who grows these and I've never seen seeds (this one was growing in Trebah Gardens in Cornwall).

Poppies, fitting for the day. A tribute to those who fell at the Somme

I saw these while out walking around Newport, Pembrokeshire today and since today is the centenary of the first day's fighting of the battle of the Somme I simply had to grab an image or two.

Poppies

I have to say I was quite choked up this morning watching the Somme ceremonies on the TV and the lump in my throat reappeared as soon as I saw these. As an ex-serviceman I have an affinity with those who lost their lives fighting for their country. Let's not forget the Somme claimed 420,000 British casualties, 200,000 French and 500,000 German. The British lost 19,240 killed on the first day alone. Hard to imagine isn't it?

So here is my simple tribute to the fallen of all nationalities from that horrific period in time.

For those who Fell at the Somme

God rest you all, you are not forgotten.

Poppies

I thought these were over for the season, but I'm very happy to see I was wrong. There is something about wild poppies that always brings a smile to my face.

Wild Poppies