Now that the season is over, the locals arrive back to Par Sands in droves. Dogs in tow, (so Barney is happy), cameras at the ready and wellies, the varieties of which would not be out of place on a Paris Catwalk! All along the dunes, which also go on and on, are the usual varied mix of beach plants, including thousands of Beach Roses. During the summer the flowers put on a beautiful show of pink and white, then come Autumn, the hips, large by any standard, are ready to be consumed by all who care to partake in their offerings. Including me! Water, sugar and rosehip pulp, a bit of prep and off you go! ^=^ Alongside the Beach Rosehips, is the Sea Buckthorn! Thorn is spot on too! But on the bright side, the fruits of these spiny monsters is also edible, humans having used all parts of it for 12 centuries. A famous toothepaste (uk) is now putting it in their flouride range, but is the oil which it is actually famous for. To gather the fruit, you need to place your hand back at the beginning of the branch then pull gently forward. So sayeth No 1 son who knows all about living in the wild - not that he has yet, but ya never know!! ^=^ A second showing of the Gorse flower is just coming though, but even more wonderful than the sight of this alongside the Beach Roses, is the fabulous sweet coconut aroma which permeates the surrounding area. Then there's the colour. The entire length of the dunes now are a blaze of colour from the palest yellow to the deepest crimson and when on the beach on a cooler or rain washed day, it is wonderful to look back from the sea to the riot of warm colours. Almost as good as a mug of coffee! Almost.... Thank you for taking the time to look. ^=^