Himalayan Balsam is an alien introduced species that  is restricted under the Wildlife and Countryside act 1981 as it swamps native flora. Like Japanese knotweed, Rhododendron and Hottentot Fig, (three more garden escapees), it is extremely difficult to eradicate. But for artistic purposes it makes nice splashes of pink for my river bank painting. Sitting on the banks of the River Torridge at Weare Giffard in North Devon, I enjoyed several glimpses of passing kingfishers on the two days I was painting this.

Last weeks painting spots are only 1.2 miles apart. The River Trym joins the River Avon at Sea Mills where remains of the 18th century Sea Mills Dock walls remain below the iron railway bridge serving the Severn Beach Line. Fly across the river for 1.2 miles and over the brow of the green field on the right of my watercolour and you get to Ham Green House.  But because of the River Avon it is 8.3 miles by car.
My second picture is the Gothic Folly at Ham Green House, looking  towards Kingsweston Down and Horseshoe bend on the River Avon. It was built around 1760, accredited to architect James Bridges who rebuilt St Nicholas Church and Bristol Bridge. The folly has been restored by Penny Brohn Cancer Care, the current owners of Ham Green House.