Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) is invariably one of the first wildflowers to put in an appearance. Today I walked out from Hitchin to a particular footpath along a field margin where I have spotted H. foetidus before. I thought it might be too soon but sure enough this one was already in full growth on the first day of the year. I suppose I felt the need to seek out a harbinger of spring. Also there is a village pub nearby- that might have had something to do with it!