Little tufts of defiance

Every year about this time one of the bamboos, which I think might actually be a Spanish reed, throws up these little silvery pink plumes, like a last gasp before it disappears into the depths of winter.

By this time, the lower leaves have all died off, leaving a kind of canopy, with these little tufts sticking out of the top, swaying in the breeze. A kind of "up yours" at the monstrosities mother nature is preparing to throw our way.

It's pretty sudden really. One day it's all leaves and the next it's like they've been to the hairdressers for a bunch of extensions.

Then, over the next few months the whole plant dies back, leaving some nice tough canes for me to strengthen the hole where the badger keeps breaking in.

Give it a couple more years and I reckon I'd have build an entire fence. Let's see the furry vandals get through that.