Recent research has shown that a lack of exposure to the countryside and more rural environments may have led to a vast increase in allergies. I really do wonder sometimes why it takes highly qualified scientists to spend years researching what, to me, is just plain old fashioned common sense!

Having rediscovered some of my childhood favourite wild flowers - the campion, the scarlet pimpernel, speedwell and the bachelors button - on a recent walk in the country in Norfolk UK, I was amazed to find some delicate little wild pansies tangled into the undergrowth

While out on a country walk, I was overjoyed to see a pretty little campion growing along the edge of a dry field. They're most certainly one of nature's "survivors" although, due to weed sprays these once prolific wild flowers are now becoming less visible in the UK.