Damien Enright: Lichens can be the flowers of winter

Lichens on rocks and on trees are as vibrant, or more vibrant, than works of art in galleries and raved about by critics of form and colour

Colour in winter is provided by lichens on stone on a sea shore path lit up by sunlight.

Winter certainly has its rewards if you happen to live near a slob, like I do.

I've used the word 'slob' a dozen times in these columns and never been sued. Today, I looked it up in various dictionaries. In every case, a slob was defined as 'a lazy or slovenly person, often with poor standards of personal hygiene'. I do not live near that kind of slob.