‘Amid the alien corn’

Scenes such as this have been commonplace across the length and breadth of the UK in recent weeks.  Field upon field has been taken over by the acid yellow of rape seed plants.  The area under rape seed cultivation, and hence the amount of yellow, has expanded greatly in recent years.  Clearly it is commercially profitable.  But among the general public it is not unanimously welcome.  Many see the yellow as brash and jarring compared with the relatively subdued palette of the native vegetation.

Suffolk in April

A glance at the sky indicates the time of year as heavy shower clouds are being rushed along by a strong breeze, creating characteristic ‘sunshine and showers’ weather.  Beyond the reeds the rape seed is coming into flower.  On the right, the track leads round to the Martello tower.

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