May is the best month for thrift

…Around Seaford anyway – looking back over my old photos, all the best ones were taken in May! The chalk cliffs of this sunny Sussex seaside town provide an ideal home for the little pink flowers.

Splash Point is the most easterly area of beach in Seaford where the chalk cliffs come down to the sea. When I’m out walking I can go there and back from my home in about 45 mins to an hour depending on how often I stop to photograph flowers! Today my smartphone was almost overcome by the bright conditions but I won’t complain.

Seaside thrift flowers May 2020

Same flower in May other years

On the way back

Spotted on my way back down the cliff was Hoary Cress, Lepidium draba. This is a very common plant around here, but I’ve only recently been able to separate it in my mind from all the other cresses! Lepidium seed heads are also sometimes used to add interest to dried flower bouquets.

Once down the cliff, the beachside road is dotted with sea beet – Beta vulgaris just coming into flower.

In the road on the way home there was quite a population of erodium around tree stumps in the pavement.

Another spot for pinks is Hope Gap – halfway along the coast between Seaford Head and Cuckmere Haven. I was there recently on my Seaford Head hike and took a pic.