Kicking Through the Leaves

It doesn't feel like it's been a whole week since I last posted. As usual, time escapes me and with Hallowe'en, family visitors and Bonfire Night all within the last seven days, I've been scurrying around trying to keep on top of it all.

Our Hallowe'en was quiet. We didn't receive as many visitors as we thought we might, so there was a substantial amount of chocolates and sweets left over. Although, having been stored in an easily accessible position on the kitchen worktop, there are not many remaining now :) 

Last Saturday was very wet and windy and we did something we haven't done for a while, we stayed home......all day! It was unusual for us, but if we had ventured out, we would have ended up cold, wet and miserable. It was a good excuse to spend some time in the kitchen, however, and it resulted in some delicious butternut squash and sweet potato soup, garnished with  toasted pumpkin seeds and the obligatory ginger cake was made in time for Bonfire Night. The soup was hearty and delicious and really warmed us through. The ginger cake was tasty, light and just the right amount of sticky that is necessary at this time of year. It  just has to stick to your fingers. The recipe can be found here.

The following day, we went for a short walk through the fields and into the woods. I'm enjoying the colour of the leaves just now, as in no time at all the trees will be bare, and until the festive decorations appear, we will be left with the sudden greyness of days which is November. The woodland floor is a carpet of golden leaves and I'd defy anyone to walk along without kicking them. I don't think I will ever tire of it. In the afternoon I went for a short run and on leaving the village, the sides of the lane held  drifts of leaves at least two feet deep. Very tempting, but at the time I was concentrating hard on just being able to run. It has been far too long since I did any kind of exercise and it is telling on me.

This tree overlooks the back of our house and is the most gorgeous shade of burnt orange. It's not the best photograph but you get the idea.

Monday was Bonfire Night and we went to a bonfire and firework display a short walk away, up the hill from our house. The pathway was really dark and at times it was almost impossible  to see where we were walking, not helped by the amount of leaves beneath our feet. And yes, there was some more leaf kicking going on. It was a great evening and very well supported by the local community. Back home we lit our sparklers and our last remaining pumpkin in the garden.

J. X

Late October

Our half term break passed by rather quickly, and since the clocks went back at the weekend, the shorter days are a reminder that we are now heading towards the end of the year. This morning we woke to frost in the fields, but accompanied with bright sunshine and a clear blue sky, it has been a beautiful autumn day. And as if I didn't need another reminder about how fast the days are going, Lily returned home from school this afternoon with a Christmas card order form. I know I'm going to have to get organised in that department, but it just feels a little too soon right now. I'm enjoying autumn and I'm in no hurry to rush the season.

I'm actually relishing the darker evenings. Being able to draw the curtains and shut ourselves away is really appealing to my slothful side. A form of hibernation. I'm changing into my pyjamas earlier and earlier each night.

The trees are rapidly dropping their leaves now and we've had great fun this weekend walking in a nearby deer park and kicking up leaves. The squirrels were playing a great game of hide and seek and the deer themselves blending into the background amongst the trees. The fresh country air helping to stave off the beginnings of a cold that has been threatening for the last week or so, and which I would much rather do without.

Our week at home was largely uneventful. There were health appointments to be kept, the car went for it's MOT and the gas boiler was serviced. We enjoyed some walks out, trips to the park and generally frittered our time away. We usually go away for October half term, so this was quite a contrast for us, but I quite enjoyed the more leisurely approach. The highlight of the week, however, was meeting up with Suzanne from Snapshots of Number 38. We spent a lovely few hours chatting together while Lily played in the park and enjoyed a walk along the seafront, followed by lunch. Suzanne very kindly gifted Lily some books and colouring pens in a beautifully stitched holder, along with some chocolate and stickers. They have been well used already Suzanne, and as you can imagine, the chocolate didn't last long at all. Thank you, again. I do hope you enjoy the reciprocal pebble and feather. 😆

This week, our cosy evenings have been enhanced by the warm glow from our carved pumpkin, or, as Lily would say, 'punkin'. This one has been for our enjoyment alone, but we have two more to carve, in order to welcome any trick or treater's which may be heading our way on Hallowe'en. Although we don't have any tricks,  only treats.
J. X

After the Storm

At the end of last week, with the threat of the incoming storm and high winds, I made sure I prepared the garden, securing the planters and moving the potted trees to more sheltered positions. And thank goodness I did. 

The rain began late on Friday and continued during the night. It rained and rained. We planned to hunker down on the Saturday morning, then Lily had a party to attend that afternoon. The rain continued and the wind picked up a pace. It wasn't until after we'd set off that we realised  how heavy the rain was, when we saw just how high the river had risen. Large tree branches were being washed along with ease and the water was already over the bank in places. 

With a seventeen mile journey ahead of us, we had already checked the road reports before setting off and were hopeful that as long as the rain eased, then everything would be fine, but the further we went, the worse the weather became, so with the roads rapidly turning into small rivers and local businesses beginning to put up their flood barriers, we made the decision to turn around and return home. Naturally, Lily was disappointed, but it wasn't worth the risk. Even if we had managed to get there, with the state of the roads, there would be a strong chance we wouldn't have made it back again.

As is often the way in these parts, the following day could not have been more different. With hardly a breath of wind and the sun shining (along with the desperate need to get some fresh air following the previous day of being holed up indoors), we pulled on our wellies and set off for the woods to immerse ourselves in some seasonal colour.

The sunny weather made for a beautifully warm afternoon, although the ground was covered with leaves and sticks and it was clear from some of the pathways where the stream had washed out the day before, a line of silt and twigs indicating the water level at it's highest. The ground was still very waterlogged, with a huge puddle having appeared in the woodland clearing which, of course Lily discovered first,  much to her great delight. 

There was plenty of leaf kicking, acorn gathering and prodding at various fungi with sticks,  then as we emerged from the woods, the difference between the two days couldn't have been more apparent, as we spotted a hot air balloon on the horizon.

As always, it was lovely to see the cheery display of pumpkins on sale at the farm shop, although I resisted buying one for the time being. Maybe next week.

J. X

Autumn Colour

Autumn is marching on apace, and the surrounding landscape is quickly turning an array of russet and gold as the trees prepare for the winter months. It is the season at it's best and Mother Nature certainly knows how to put on a wonderful display.  Last weekend saw a sudden drop in temperature here, but following an early morning frost, the days were mainly bright and clear, if a bit breezy.

Naturally, the woods were calling to us, so we put on our wellies and made our way through the open fields towards the sheltered canopy of the trees.

Besides the wind rustling up above, it was so quiet in there, any sounds muffled by the damp carpet of leaves and moss on the woodland floor. Every now and again we stopped to look at some weird looking fungi, a particularly attractive leaf - me, or stick - Lily. And we were also on the lookout for some Hazelnuts, which we did manage to find and will plant soon. In previous year's we have gathered conkers and acorns on our autumn walks, which have since grown well in the garden. We might even have our own little forest before long.

The following day we headed into the Lakes, to Brothers Water. The strong wind saw clouds race across the sky, with leaves showering down upon us like confetti. We were relieved to be wrapped up well against the cold, and after a short walk along the length of the shore, soon returned to the shelter of the van for a picnic lunch, but not before we had passed two very brave ladies who had just returned from a swim in the lake! At this point my hands were beginning to feel very cold, as I had removed my gloves, which had been left smelling less than sweet after a meeting with a very persistent and friendly  farm dog.
Thankfully, our return home took us right by the National Trust cafe at Aira Force, where instead of taking any more photographs, I happily warmed my hands around a mug of delicious hot chocolate.
J. X