In recent years a new consciousness of the nakedness of the land has arisen, and pockets of pines, cypresses and eucalypts have been planted, but still the land remains unusually bare. Broom, and especially gorse, form swathes of brilliant yellow on too many hillsides. Even to a part-time farmer like me, who has spent too many years fight­ing the accursed stuff, there is a certain beauty in its blooms. Nowhere have I seen it flower with such vigour and vividness. Some bushes are almost solid AA yellow with barely a glimpse of green.