Autumn

This morning felt truly autumnal as Andy and I walked the dogs, the misty dawn radiating an ethereal light that only seems to exist at this time of year. Despite the tinge of melancholy I love the season of autumn mists and mellow fruitfulness: the smell of wood-smoke in the twilight, the whisper of a chill on the air and watching the trees lose their rich green cloaks, golden leaves falling gently to the ground.  And, that sun kissed carpet of leaves actually provides a soothing reminder of impermanence and the need to let go that’s both healing and cathartic.

Season of mists

My cycle to work the other morning really epitomised Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”.  The mist hanging over the river, lingered for much of the morning, an ethereal mystery hiding the ageless secrets of the water as it flowed to the sea.  It was a morning for magic, for sighting water nymphs and sprites wearing fragile garments woven from autumn leaves and spider silk. The glossy rose-hips, swollen from the rain and summer sunshine, glowed like rubies on their tangled briars.  Sadly, I was unable to loiter and remain in that enchanted woodland lit by an ephemeral sun.  

 

Autumn, that fickle mistress

The morning was damp and mild, almost sultry. A gossamer veil of mist cloaked the voluptuous curves of the river as she wandered languidly to the coast.  An orange flash burst into the tranquil setting as a brightly clad cyclist pedalled by, a harsh, incongruent note, at odds with the muted colours of the autumn leaves littering the river bank.  But the interruption was momentary. A heron stood motionless, his grey plumage fading into the mist like a whisper on a breeze.  Autumn had arrived, offering teasing reminders of the summer past and a glimpse of the winter to come

A wet wander in the woods

A slick carpet

Where's Molly?

Autumn glory

It was as well that I enjoyed my youthful regression in the woods yesterday as today has been the wettest day we’ve had since ….the last one. A fortnight ago!  Such a long spell without rain is unprecedented!! Although tawny-coated Molly continued to blend seamlessly into the autumnal scenery, our walk this afternoon was of the damp and slippery kind, the crispy leaves turned overnight into a slick orange carpet. The return to GMT made the afternoon seem shorter, (although that may have been due to our mid-morning cinema excursion) with dusk falling much earlier. Winter is round the corner!

Autumn leaves.....and no camera

I had a wonderful wander (apart from the dog poop on my shoe) through the woods with Molly this afternoon as the colours were glorious and the crunch of my shoes on the carpet of crisp, fallen leaves evoked memories of both my own and more recent childhood walks with Nerea. There’s something irresistible about recklessly kicking up leaves while they still retain their “just fallen”, papery fragility.   Molly also sensed my joyful mood and joined in, chasing imaginary critters, nosing and tossing her head through the bronze and copper confetti, her tawny coat a perfect match for the season

Autumn is round the corner...

There are clear signs that it’s becoming autumnal.  No, it’s not the colour changes to the leaves on the chestnut trees or that Dr Who is back on TV.  It’s much simpler; the cats are back in the house.  During the summer, the sun seekers occupy every warm corner of the garden like golden pools of sunlight. But, once the temperature drops, they are to be found indoors, curled up on any available seat or cushion, preferably where it’s warm. Their life is incredibly simple; food, love and a comfortable place to sleep.  I admit to a degree of envy!