Autumn trails continued

As last week’s walk was fun, I thought we could take a different route today and visit the farm about two fields over from the house. Don’t worry about your wellies (Wellington boots) as it has dried out since this morning. I suggest a light coat since our indian summer has definitely warmed the fields and valley. Let’s go visit the avenue of ancient trees.

Autumn Trails

As the days get shorter and night draws us under its sparkly blanket, an overwhelming urge to hibernate takes over the soul. Warm mugs of sugary beverages are welcomed and wholesome food becomes a part of the norm.

My family tends to shy away from extra curricular activities that take us into the shadowy hours, preferring to hurry home and snuggle in front of the television or beside the fire with a good book.

I would like to take you on a tour of our little world, presenting the highs and lows of living out in the countryside with deer striding past your door in the middle of the night and the melancholy sounds of the foxes in symphony as you try to sleep with the forest just outside the bedroom window.

Let’s start with a early morning dog walk through the meadow…

A silky nightdress covers the meadow, distorting the soft light of dawn. The further you walk under its silken sheen, the easier it becomes to make out the dips and folds of the shape of the land beneath. A cold nip in the air keeps things crisp and the crunchy frost spiking up the grassy slopes bends and succumbs to my heavy boots leaving a marked path over its body.

The moon still smiles down at the earth, refusing to disappear, showing off her beauty to those happy enough to keep her company until the sun gathers enough energy to unveil the beauty of the meadow.

A view of the farm and hills in the distance show remnants of the hot summer in the golden ears blowing in the wind, calling out to my dog to run through them. Green spots of new life lay hidden beneath the gold, waiting for the longer cooler temperatures to breathe life into the autumn display.

At the top of the hill, sweet chestnuts and acorns send squirrels into a frenzy of preparation. You can hear them scuttling over branches and drying leaves, frantically storing their supplies for the winter to come.

As Henry (my dog) snuffles in the undergrowth hoping to catch these interlopers masquerading as nut technicians, I stop to collect my own supply. The anticipated taste of sweet roasted chestnuts undermines the annoyance of their spiky coats keeping them safe and warm from prying fingers. That’s why wellington boots are a great addition to any wardrobe when tackling the outdoors – not just for the terrain but for assisting in prizing open those formidable green spiky shells holding treasures within.

The Meadow offers a magnificent view of the sky and surrounding areas. Sometimes, it has a cathartic effect of soothing frayed nerves after a long day or releasing inhibitions when trapped in ones own mind.

After strolling back down the hill and turning right onto the path that cuts through the middle of the Meadow, Henry knows it is nearly time to go home. He takes advantage of his remaining minutes of freedom by lolloping through the green, turning and twisting his body at a steady run so that he covers more ground.

All too soon, it’s time to go home and begin the day.

I hope you enjoyed taking a walk through the meadow with Henry and me.

Walkies with Henry

If only the two legged creatures in charge of the world were just as simple, just as breath-takingly beautiful as our surroundings; imagine what a wonderful world this would be.

I breathe in the serenity of my surroundings and exhale the abusive stature of man. 

 

Under a canopy of green, I watch the clouds play hide and seek against the blue.

Basking in the panorama unfolding before me, I run.

Free as a bird, I fly down the hills and through the valley of dancing dandelions that smell of fox and deer.

 

The light is fading from the day, changing what was once bright and blue to shades of grey.

I can taste the cool breeze; soon, all the birds I love to chase will find their nests, leaving me to the silence and chilly air. I stand there, up on the hill, watching the life drain from another day.

 

Until we meet again, under the azure sky, I will listen to the soft lullaby of the birds as they sing their babies to sleep and doze to the hum of the beetles’ wings on their journey home.

Good-night.

 

 

 

 

Australian Flora and Fauna

Here are a few snaps of the plants found around gardens and places of interest so far.

Something old, something new

Since moving into our new temporary home, I’ve noticed some beautiful flowers parading through the summer season and felt the need to share them with you.  I have no idea what half the flowers’ names are, but hope you’ll enjoy looking at them as much as I do!

Now this flower is part of a creeper that has attacked most of the plants in the garden.  It’s found its way around trees, over walls and through fences.  I’m tempted to nickname it Terminator!

It may be a weed, it may just be that it’s enthusiasm makes it spread its beautiful foliage across the hostas and bulbs, but this pretty flower has brightened the garden and shown off its bright pinks through rain and sun. 

I’ve decided to include the crazy mushroom circles I found in the open field across from the house.  I’m guessing a fairy ring is to blame for this phenomenon, though sadly, I haven’t seen a fairy yet.

My lavender pots are trying very hard to brighten the dull door to our home!  I’m convincing the Hubble that we need more pots to help brighten the entranceway. I think you’ll see a few more additions in the next few weeks. 
Well, those are the only pics I’ve taken so far.  Join me again for another tour of my new garden.

Bye for now!

Photo Friday

Thanks for the inspiration to do another Photo Friday Neems!  Please click on her name and check out her site.  It brought a smile to my face on a dreary Friday afternoon.

Photo Friday

Bringing a little Autumn gladness.

My grapes are slowly turning a gorgeous purple. I feel I should water them more, but they seem content enough in the late September sun.

And of course, the unwelcome but necessary residents that have grown larger than life!

Hope you enjoy your Friday too. xx

Walk With Me

One of my favourite things to do is to take walks with a friend of mine and her dog Marley. We choose various routes that make the walk interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. Here are a few pics I have snapped during my walks. One day I will have my own four legged friend to walk (that’s not a cat!), but until then I borrow the gorgeous Marley who is the best looking dog I know!

Let’s take a walk together…

I have to start our walk at my sister-in-law’s front garden. I love the slate stones mixed with various flowers, soft greys with vibrant reds.

This multi-coloured bark was off a fallen tree in the Swinley forest. I couldn’t resist taking a close up to try and capture the way the bark flakes off in warm reds and browns. It was a huge tree too. Sorry I don’t know what type it was. Hopefully someone will know and tell us.

This mossy patch was next to the stony path along the Swinley forest, hidden in a ditch with trickling water. Can you spot the little faces in the green spongy surface? I see a little face with a mouth in the shape of an ‘o’!

For my last pic I felt compelled to include a snowy pic as I love the snow. This is the forest covered on one of those rare days we all enjoy when the snow is deep enough to slide on and trudge through…yes trudge! (Usually we only get a light dusting!). The softness and white clarity against the surrounding darkness of the trees was serene. The silence that enveloped us as we stood at the top of this slope was a perfect accompaniment to the beautiful imagery before us.

Hope you enjoyed going on a walk with me. Let’s do it again next week!

My Garden

Cherries and pears, fennel and mint; these are a few of my little treasures packed into the borders of my little plot of heaven.

Peeking above Begonia with a French flair, Lavender stands to attention letting us know she is there.

Not to be outdone, Begonia sparkles in the sun, showing off her pink satin petals shimmering in their finery.

All is not lost as the fern guards the back gate. New foundlings unfurl with lazy precision, ready to stretch out and greet the world.

Heavily burdened with the weight of the grapes, my archway is serving out its last year as the support to the vino.

Delicious raspberries dance in the breeze in long stemmed prickly branches.

And finally, sweetening the air, my roses burst with pride as they display colours of pink, peach, yellow and white.

Hope you enjoyed walking through my garden with me.

Photo Friday!

For those who don’t know me well, I’m terrified of big spiders. Bearing this in mind, I had to capture this spider with flecks of ash caught on its web. Beauty comes in all forms.