I have just been listening to an item on the radio news about the dangers of giant hogweed.  I remember a number of years ago this was in the news with children being burned by the sap.  Councils took action and the offending plants were sprayed.  We were all warned to stay well away.  I have been noticing this year that this dramatic looking plant has been making a reappearance.  I see it marching along riverbanks, all over the country.

I have delved back into my photographs and found this picture which I took beside the River Brent in London in June this year.   As I walked width the dogs I noticed the little gate leading to a houseboat.  It was a mysterious looking place hidden away in the undergrowth, with “private keep out” signs about – and a giant hogweed looming over.    It look mysterious, secret, threatening — just the sort of place you could imagine something sinister happening……