Saturday 26 October 2013

Saturday 26.10.2013

A glorious autumn day of fiery trees and sunlight but by the time we set off on what will surely be the last post-work walk of the year at around five, a chill wind was springing up bringing in grey clouds and hastening the end of the day -too dark for pics.

Out first proper sortie since Dog 2 injured herself and she was beside herself with joy as we cantered into the woods, though she was called smartly to heel (and mostly obeyed) if she got anywhere near a fence.

Nearly the end of October, clocks back tonight and a storm brewing in the next 48 hours:southerners getting the worst of it this time but it`ll be our turn soon no doubt.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Tuesday 15.10.2013

Something magical about walking in the last hour or so of daylight - not many of these evening, post-work walks left this year. Ten to six,lowering slate clouds overhead, pastel pinks and blues on the horizon, cold air and the mist beginning to shroud grass and trees.

Disturbed the roosting crows









and dogs hyper-excited by emergence of night shift of little furry animals.

As it grew darker, lights appeared across the hills and a plume of smoke from a farmhouse chimney spiralled straight upwards into the sky while tendrils of mist began to curl over the grass and round the trees.

It should have been quite serene as we headed towards the road in the very last of the light,
but Dog 2 managed to catch herself on a barbed wire fence and let out a blood-curdling scream which echoed across the still air, momentarily silencing every other living thing in the vicinity.

However, having managed to release herself she came bounding up to join us, apparently none the worse and we walked home under a bright moon with the first star hanging over our heads as two owls emerged from the woods and began skimming across the fields.

Spellbinding.


Later: was outside just after midnight, a clear starlit sky, with the moon casting a ghostly sheen across the mist spread just at waist height over the fields. Completely still, a good night to catch the Harmony of the Spheres.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musica_universalis

Dog 2 is in fact very sore,having managed to pare a thin layer of skin off herself......no more walks for a few days and maybe she`ll learn........no, of course she won`t.

Friday 11 October 2013

Friday 11.10.2013

Two days of wild, wet and windy and then today: crisp and cool on the top of the hill while in the shelter of the woods the sun had real warmth and it was all bird song, grassy scents and quite beautiful light.







The real autumn sight though was the yards and yards of spider`s threads strung out between trees and grasses,shimmering in the sunlight.
Question: do they do that all year and we just don`t see it or is there some reason for increased spinning activity at this time of year? A homework question for Simon Mayo I think....(a Radio Five Live reference for those of a different persuasion).


Most recent favourite read btw: a so-called Young Adult book entitled A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. A well written narrative involving a boy coping with loss and a talking yew tree.......and the genesis of the book has an interesting back story too. Watch this space.

Sunday 6 October 2013

Sunday 06.10.2013

A week of autumn walks but no internet...and a week of different kinds of autumn too.

Wednesday morning was windy and wild with a chilly edge that had us practically scampering along to keep warm enough: invigorating and exciting as wild weather can sometimes be, flocks of birds tumbling and twisting across the choppy skies. In many ways a typical early October day.

Thursday was low cloud and mist, uniform grey with no clear horizon but milder. A typical early October day.

Friday was...a typical early October day - warm, positively muggy,the syrupy air almost visibly shimmering as the occasional butterfly flitted around.

The busy skies may have been heralding a changing season










and there were hints of the first ambers and crimsons










but in the meantime the ẁoodsy`scents, green grass and warm temperatures keep the long dark nights at bay a little while longer.