The margins between town and country (which are neither town nor country) can be surprisingly rich habitats. Case in point I took a walk from the edge of Hitchin through the area known as Burymead Springs. I have a leaflet somewhere which describes it accurately as "part of an ancient riverside meadow, sandwiched between the River Hiz, the Hitchin railway flyover and a scrap yard".

 Several ponds, reed beds and marshy areas allow moisture loving plants to flourish. Hemp Agrimony for example as seen above and the likes of Purple Loosestrife and Meadowsweet. 

 Areas where works for the flyover took place created the ideal seed bed for the kind of plants that thrive on disturbed ground. Teasels, Brambles, Bindweed and Ragwort abound. 

 Then again there are numerous species which have persisted from the days when this locale was rural. Meadow Crane's-bill was dotted along one stretch of the path.

 Beyond Burymead Springs there is a dry, grassy expanse adjoining the railway line. This lovely Vetch weaves in and out of the metal fence which separates one from the other. Not sure if this is our native Tufted Vetch or the rather similar Hairy Vetch which was introduced to the UK as a fodder crop.  

 I crossed the railway line where it intersects with the Icknield Way- this ancient track is becoming a regular feature of the diary! On the other side of the tracks the Way passes by an abandoned and now derelict sewerage works. Another good spot for wildflower spotting. This low growing species was particularly abundant. I will have to find out what it is and amend the entry accordingly. I'm thinking Saxifrage?  

 At the perimeter of the sewerage works the landscape opens out into large swathes of arable monoculture. But there has been an interesting development. One of the farms has planted Lavender on quite a large scale. 

 In fact the Hitchin area was known for Lavender growing from as early as the 1500s to as late as the mid twentieth century. It is said that over one hundred acres of Lavender were in cultivation at one point. The dry chalky soil that characterises the terrain is no doubt well suited to a Mediterranean species. 

 I assume the revived Lavender fields are intended to yield a harvest but have become a popular tourist attraction as well. There is an admission charge to walk among the rows, along with the inevitable tea room, gift shop etc. I first became aware of their popularity when I was puzzled why so many Japanese tourists were coming and going from Hitchin station!

 I cut back through the village of Ickleford which is practically joined to Hitchin. I had a swift half in the garden of the Plume of Feathers in bright sunshine. A few minutes after I left the heavens opened with torrential rain and I was instantly soaked to the skin. These brief but monsoon-like downpours seem to have become increasingly common in recent years.

 I headed home the way I came as quickly as possible. This culvert that feeds into the River Hiz was bone dry earlier in the day but I had to wade across it on the return journey. Still, apart from the soaking it was a great little walk.