Can anyone explain how Enigmatist arrives at 'creche'? I remember when he first started setting for the Guardian. He was a sixth-former, or maybe even younger - and he hasn't become any less enigmatic! Happy New Year everyone!
I think the word "soak" refers to a heavy drinker and the "pungent-leaved plant is "cress" as netkey said. Emerging from a drunk this would come out as "creche"!