Our annual pilgrimage to seek out the rutting red deer. Hours of soggy hiking to the secret spots looking for Bruce. He is in his twilight years and has antlers which make him a prize for any hunters lodge. Hours we searched. We smelt him first. Distinct musky smell. Then over a hill and there he was with his harem. Sighs of relief from us. Photos aplenty. Then home for tea.
Played my last croquet tournament of the season, doubles at Cam and Peasedown. Lovely to play in sunshine with the leaves turning on the trees around us
Enjoying my walks thsi time of year - seeing delicate spiders' webs draped on the spiky brown cow parsley skeletons in the early morning, with mist rolling over the fields and being gradually burnt away by the morning sun to herald the day and reveal bright blue sky
Made a loaf of seeded bread with a mix of rye flour and plain with black treacle (Nigel Slater) instead of honey cake to have with this year's apple and honey for rosh hashana, enjoyed a late afternoon trip to the sea at Tynemouth to make tashlikh (throwing crumbs from my pockets into the sea to say goodbye to the old year) - golden sunshine, long shadows
Discovering a cluster of Amethyst Deceiver mushrooms amongst the fallen leaves in the woods, glowing an eerie violet betwixt the shades of rusts and browns
It's real nature table season - those yellow heart shaped poplar leaves, teeny dark chocolate brown alder cones, the last of the peace roses.
Walking down the garden path avoiding the enormous drooping courgette leaves and feeling the tickle on my lip which means I forgot to look out for the spider's web.
I’ve heard just heard a skein of geese honking overhead and spotted four v formations! Also, choosing an apple from our dwarf apple tree and cutting it up to have with my cereal : )
It hasn't felt as prolific a mushroom season as other years yet, but I saw my first ever Amanita phalloides (death cap) yesterday, and made risotto with foraged chanterelles and porcini earlier in the week.
There must be something in the air for soup eating - we had celery soup and crusty bread last night. Lots of sunny days this week with a nip in the air, looking forward to a walk up to my usual spot on my lunch break today.
The drive down the Fosse Way to my gallery shift in Chipping Campden with the windows down in the car to catch the sounds and smells of 'proper' Autumn. Then the moment when you turn onto Chippy C main street to see the maginificent Ginkgo tree glowing against the honey coloured stone buildings. Chippy C was made fof Autumn!
Sweeping leaves and branches that seem to be falling in abundance every day. Noticing late roses in bloom giving pops of welcome colour, walking into cobwebs and damp, misty mornings.
A walk along the Thames in Oxford in warm sun, for a short stretch before the flooded path turned me around. The river was high and rushing, and on the other side, a wildfowl cacophony of flapping and splashing.
Planting bulbs - crocus, dwarf iris, allium, Tenby daffodils, English bluebells, tulips to follow in November - in a bed we’ve cleared of unhappy plants.
Our annual pilgrimage to seek out the rutting red deer. Hours of soggy hiking to the secret spots looking for Bruce. He is in his twilight years and has antlers which make him a prize for any hunters lodge. Hours we searched. We smelt him first. Distinct musky smell. Then over a hill and there he was with his harem. Sighs of relief from us. Photos aplenty. Then home for tea.
Wow
That sounds incredible - what a special moment!
What a wonderful thing to see 🙂
Played my last croquet tournament of the season, doubles at Cam and Peasedown. Lovely to play in sunshine with the leaves turning on the trees around us
Enjoying my walks thsi time of year - seeing delicate spiders' webs draped on the spiky brown cow parsley skeletons in the early morning, with mist rolling over the fields and being gradually burnt away by the morning sun to herald the day and reveal bright blue sky
Made a loaf of seeded bread with a mix of rye flour and plain with black treacle (Nigel Slater) instead of honey cake to have with this year's apple and honey for rosh hashana, enjoyed a late afternoon trip to the sea at Tynemouth to make tashlikh (throwing crumbs from my pockets into the sea to say goodbye to the old year) - golden sunshine, long shadows
What a wonderful ceremony. Happy new year!
Discovering a cluster of Amethyst Deceiver mushrooms amongst the fallen leaves in the woods, glowing an eerie violet betwixt the shades of rusts and browns
Dipping a toasted cheese sandwich in to hot soup 😌
It's real nature table season - those yellow heart shaped poplar leaves, teeny dark chocolate brown alder cones, the last of the peace roses.
Walking down the garden path avoiding the enormous drooping courgette leaves and feeling the tickle on my lip which means I forgot to look out for the spider's web.
I used to love the nature table at my junior school. Such a happy memory.
me too! its lovely to create one at home now, esp with my granddaughter, though it is for me too!
I’ve heard just heard a skein of geese honking overhead and spotted four v formations! Also, choosing an apple from our dwarf apple tree and cutting it up to have with my cereal : )
The hosta leaves have turned from green to yellow and on my afternoon walk the smell of wood smoke from log burners hangs in the air.
It hasn't felt as prolific a mushroom season as other years yet, but I saw my first ever Amanita phalloides (death cap) yesterday, and made risotto with foraged chanterelles and porcini earlier in the week.
There must be something in the air for soup eating - we had celery soup and crusty bread last night. Lots of sunny days this week with a nip in the air, looking forward to a walk up to my usual spot on my lunch break today.
I like the sound of your walk to Pill! I think ive done that route in the distant past.
Now with the clocks having gone forward we have better evening walks, with the wetland catching the molten sunsets.
The drive down the Fosse Way to my gallery shift in Chipping Campden with the windows down in the car to catch the sounds and smells of 'proper' Autumn. Then the moment when you turn onto Chippy C main street to see the maginificent Ginkgo tree glowing against the honey coloured stone buildings. Chippy C was made fof Autumn!
Ah, that's funny. I'm looking at the Fosse Way right now! Only a bit further up!
Sweeping leaves and branches that seem to be falling in abundance every day. Noticing late roses in bloom giving pops of welcome colour, walking into cobwebs and damp, misty mornings.
A walk along the Thames in Oxford in warm sun, for a short stretch before the flooded path turned me around. The river was high and rushing, and on the other side, a wildfowl cacophony of flapping and splashing.
Planting bulbs - crocus, dwarf iris, allium, Tenby daffodils, English bluebells, tulips to follow in November - in a bed we’ve cleared of unhappy plants.