So tell me. What posessed the Scots to choose a thistle as their National emblem? Yes, it is quite a pretty colour, yes it is relatively regal looking but I tend to think this is because I was conditioned to think of a thistle as Regal... until today.
You have heard me rattle on about my ragwort and the continued battle therewith. It is certainly a smaller crop this year than it was last but the thistle 
Our predecessor was obviously either blind or an enthusiastic collector of weeds
... Oops sorry I am not supposed to call them weeds anymore. We in Kiwiland call them 'Plant Pests' 
I know that cos I did a course and they told me! By calling them plant pests they can eradicate lovely edible pretty old nasturtiums, those pretty feathery pampas grass that people in Surrey grow in their front gardens and the scary, nasty threatening blackberry bush, amongst others!
Any road up, back to my thistle 
Today I pulled out an entire trailer of the stuff. Not just your common or garden Thistle! I have every variety! George Bush's favourite; the Californian Thistle, the Nodding variety, Scots thistle (which they often irritatingly called "Scotch Thistle" over here and Plumeless ones too. I have arms like a pin-cushion and a lovely builder's bottom type red burnt stripe between my shorts and my T-shirt. My Goblin I'm attractive!
Now I was told confidently that goats would eat the thistle! Yeah right! I have the most spoiled goats in the World. Billy Muggins finally decided today that if I was 'eating' it then it might be worth a try but the silly object nibbled the flowers and then spat them out on the field to re-seed and went back to chewing Honey-horse's tail (they are in the throws of a tempestuous love affair. Anyone want a Hoat?)
Any fragment of root left in the soil will spring forth again and again doing their damnedest to fill your field, sorry... paddock, with their regal purple blooms...
?? nice excuse to have some cute donkeys??? 
Good clean wholesome fun!
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2008-01-23 @ 08:55