It was so still that the quavering hoot of a solitary owl ringing out across the woods sounded quite spooky, while the only other sound was the drip drip from the trees, now pretty well divested of their leaves and throwing shapes like good `uns.
Sunday 25 November 2018
Sunday 25/11/2018
Set off just before nine, the ground sodden after yesterday`s rain but the air crisp, encouraging us to keep up a healthy pace, breathing deep and swinging the arms.....so we didn`t freeze......
It was so still that the quavering hoot of a solitary owl ringing out across the woods sounded quite spooky, while the only other sound was the drip drip from the trees, now pretty well divested of their leaves and throwing shapes like good `uns.
It was so still that the quavering hoot of a solitary owl ringing out across the woods sounded quite spooky, while the only other sound was the drip drip from the trees, now pretty well divested of their leaves and throwing shapes like good `uns.
Saturday 17 November 2018
Saturday 17.11.2018
An overnight dip in temperatures meant the sun for all its residual warmth was fighting a losing battle against a strong, biting wind. Good walking though as the wires whined, the gates sang and the birds cavorted about. Low grey clouds swept across the sky and we could have walked on further........
...instead of which we headed back to the rugby on the tele - it`s what Saturday afternoons are for.
...instead of which we headed back to the rugby on the tele - it`s what Saturday afternoons are for.
Thursday 15 November 2018
Thursday 15.11.2018
Still mild, a cheerful, cobweb-clearing wind swirled and whirled us up the road and into the woods not long after midday. Beautiful light and colour show (can`t stop taking pics of it).
After a morning`s sheep-wrestling (don`t ask), and watching a little of the ongoing Brexi-shambles, it was exhilarating to get out in that wind and stomp around a bit....made having to then go off to work more than bearable.
After a morning`s sheep-wrestling (don`t ask), and watching a little of the ongoing Brexi-shambles, it was exhilarating to get out in that wind and stomp around a bit....made having to then go off to work more than bearable.
Tuesday 13 November 2018
Tuesday 13.11.2018
Tipped out about quarter past three with the sun already sinking fast behind clouds and throwing long shadows. As we crested the hill before getting into the woods, hundreds of geese lifted off a nearby stubble field, making a terrific commotion as they spiralled upwards before heading into the distance: a moment of pure awe at the sight and sound.
A cool wind blew straight at us on the way up but as we emerged an hour or so later the evening was transformed: completely still, deliciously icy air , red-tinged clouds on the horizon, a waxing moon and silhouettes presaging winter.
Which might make you want to wax lyrical....except now I`m left wondering what that`s got to do with the moon.........
Ah! From www.phrases.org.uk: What's the origin of the phrase 'Wax lyrical'? ... The verb 'to wax' is 'to grow'; the opposite of 'to wane', which is 'to decrease'. Grow and decrease have largely superseded the archaic terms wax and wane in almost all modern usages, apart from the waxing and waning of the moon.
All makes perfect sense now. Live and learn.
A cool wind blew straight at us on the way up but as we emerged an hour or so later the evening was transformed: completely still, deliciously icy air , red-tinged clouds on the horizon, a waxing moon and silhouettes presaging winter.
Which might make you want to wax lyrical....except now I`m left wondering what that`s got to do with the moon.........
Ah! From www.phrases.org.uk: What's the origin of the phrase 'Wax lyrical'? ... The verb 'to wax' is 'to grow'; the opposite of 'to wane', which is 'to decrease'. Grow and decrease have largely superseded the archaic terms wax and wane in almost all modern usages, apart from the waxing and waning of the moon.
All makes perfect sense now. Live and learn.
Sunday 11 November 2018
Sunday 11.11.2018
A walk with pals today to the top of a mist enshrouded Bennachie, windy on Mither Tap but in the woods a quiet stillness, the gloomy light somehow intensifying the muted colours and winter silhouettes.
We made it to the top
and though the cloud clung on, it cleared enough for us to get glimpses of the autumn landscape on the way down.
After which we were more than ready for the excellent coffee and cake at The Old Post Office in Chapel of Garioch - what a lovely place!
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g7208087-d2356340-Reviews-Old_Post_Office_Tea_Room-Chapel_of_Garioch_Inverurie_Aberdeenshire_Scotland.html
Yesterday, back in "our" woods, setting off at 1-ish with the sun about as high as it was going to get, it was a perfectly glorious still afternoon, colourful, warm, deliciously autumnal.
Yet within the hour, the sun had disappeared behind a cloud, a wind had sprung up and dark was descending really quite quickly. Already that time of year for getting out at every possible chance.
We made it to the top
After which we were more than ready for the excellent coffee and cake at The Old Post Office in Chapel of Garioch - what a lovely place!
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g7208087-d2356340-Reviews-Old_Post_Office_Tea_Room-Chapel_of_Garioch_Inverurie_Aberdeenshire_Scotland.html
Yesterday, back in "our" woods, setting off at 1-ish with the sun about as high as it was going to get, it was a perfectly glorious still afternoon, colourful, warm, deliciously autumnal.
Yet within the hour, the sun had disappeared behind a cloud, a wind had sprung up and dark was descending really quite quickly. Already that time of year for getting out at every possible chance.
Sunday 4 November 2018
Sunday 4.11.2018
Never the same for two days running, setting off at midday meant different angles and light and shadows...but then as professor Brian Cox once explained, well enough that I understood for about a nano-second, we are actually never in exactly the same place twice, moving and spinning as we are through the universe.
Anyway, wherever we were, it was another glorious walking day, the runes were speaking to us very clearly,
the sun,warm in the woods despite a nippy breeze on the hill,lit up the trees
and tomorrow....we`ll have moved a teensy weensy bit further on through the universe.
Anyway, wherever we were, it was another glorious walking day, the runes were speaking to us very clearly,
the sun,warm in the woods despite a nippy breeze on the hill,lit up the trees
and tomorrow....we`ll have moved a teensy weensy bit further on through the universe.
Saturday 3 November 2018
Saturday 3.11.2018
Wild but mild - very mild - this morning, low grey clouds shifting across the sky revealing glimpses of something bluer and calmer higher up, flocks of finches swirling and diving across the freshly ploughed fields, crows tumbling over and in and out of the trees, squabbling with the starlings while overhead skein after skein of geese, silhouetted against the sky, honked their way across it. There seem to have been many more than usual this year.
And almost overnight it seems, the larch trees have turned their various shades of yellow and orange and green and begun laying patterns everywhere. Carpeting the woods,
scattered like confetti across the road
or forming mysterious runes at the edges........
And almost overnight it seems, the larch trees have turned their various shades of yellow and orange and green and begun laying patterns everywhere. Carpeting the woods,
scattered like confetti across the road
or forming mysterious runes at the edges........
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