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.

Autumn Berries and more

As I walk in the dewdropped field,

Berries shine brightly

Bobbing gently in the wind.

Dandelions down the furs,

Imagining their travels

So far afield to disperse

Their beauteous wish imagined.

Seeds lay abandoned next to crunchy leaves

Awaiting their upliftment on the welcoming breeze.

I watch the meadow sigh in delight

As fortold by their turning

Sleep written in their dying leaves

Till spring when they be awakened.

Super Harvest Blood Moon

  The time is ticking away and my little sprogs are   extremely excited to see a blood moon.  As the farmers in the days before lights and electricity brought in their crops by the light of the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, we commemorated their memory with our own fruit picking in the garden by early moonlight today. Our lovely pears snapped off easily and happily bounced into our basket.

  
We are planning on travelling to the forest nearby to find a high place where there is less light pollution to disturb our view.  Unfortunately, the sprogs will not get a chance to see the transition as it should happen in the early hours of the morning.  They are still determined to have a moonlit picnic though and I’m sure it will be spectacular as we are lucky enough to have a second super moon for this year.  It will mean a late night for the smaller sprogs but this is an event that only happens once every eighteen years.  The next time this will occur, all my fledglings will have left the nest.
Here’s the science behind the magical view courtesy of NASA…

Shoutout if you’re going to be looking out at the Super Harvest Blood Moon tonight and I will be waving out to you across the beautiful night sky, no matter where you are in the world.

Have a great night!

Image courtesy of examiner.com

Happy #Wensfriesday

Now that the days are getting shorter, nights are donning their chilly suits and the autumn term has well and truly begun.  We are back to searching for little pick-me-ups to carry us through the long weeks ahead.  What better way than celebrating #Wensfriesday together?  

For my #Wensfriesday treat today, I’m picking out a savoury snack.  With a cheesy flavour and crispy, crumbly body, it snaps under mouth-watering bites expelling the delicious herbs, salts and peppers trapped within its mix.  

What is my snack of choice?  Can anyone guess?

Autumn

Whilst we look to the wilting fiery coloured leaves for divine meaning, and watch the dying moments of summer, I search for the little delights awaiting the early evenings and wet afternoons.

One of my special guests usually makes his or her appearance in the midst of summer and then during the colder moments of autumn, ready to find a warm safe place for winter. Instead of talking in riddles, I will show you!

When Is It My Turn To Be Sick?

I love autumn. The incredible change of vegetation from different shades of green to hues of yellow, red, brown and even purple! ‘Tis the season that heralds the close of summer and entices the smell of hot chocolate and cinnamon as we prepare our daily lives for the winter to come.

BUT…

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