The fingers of Autumn are already encroaching on my Devon countryside . The horse chestnuts’ leaves are rusting on their branches and the spiky fruit will soon be ready for small boys to harvest for their annual conker battles . The harvest is in and the lanes are once again free of the giant combines. The once golden fields are now being turned rich red as ploughing churns the stubble into even lines .
The swifts have gone already ,I think , and the swallows and house martins will not be far behind . I have already seen rows of young lining up in expectation on telephone wires . Suddenly ,as if by magic ,they will depart unseen and journey to warmer climes hopefully to return next Spring.
The mornings now are sharp and the spiders’ webs drip with heavy dew showing the amazing intricacies of their labour . The air smells different and the evening light clothes the countryside in a mantle of soft gold as the trees caste elongated shadows over the meadows and fields .
The hedgerows look tired after along dry summer, hazel nuts fall and crunch under foot . On the front of my house the Virginia creeper is coming into its own . A blaze of colour before the first frost and then a quick departure with a fresh Autumn wind . Lovely whilst it is there but gone all too soon . Perhaps that is a metaphor for life .
Georgepa
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Georgepa
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Dear Georgepa your house is resplendent with the autumnal colours, beautiful. The way you describe the start of autumn in words is colourful and wonderful. Thank you. Hope you are keeping well. Lots of love, Nanny857xx
I used to write things after a long day of looking after my wife who died two years ago . I found it helped me wind down after a difficult day. It’s just scribbles really .
George, thank you for your lovely description of Autumn in Devon.
What beautiful weather we had yesterday and this morning has dawned bright and sunny, with gin clear skies.
I was supposed to be coming down on the 23rd for a few days Down Devon, but have had to change my plans, so will have a staycation in Glorious Gloucestershire whilst himself is in Respite.
As a child, my parents took me to pick wild daffodils in the woods, and bluebells. Nothing like the site of bluebells! Have been back with dad to find site of daffs, but found a road built through the area.
Dad worked at the mining college for a while.
Have inherited heaps of photos taken in 1940-50. Some of the places no longer exist either - or we could not find them.
We moved here 50 years ago with Concorde as my husband was a young engineer in the Flight Test Department. We've lived in this area ever since. It's beautiful. xx
Love your posts George, the house looks amazing, must come and visit Devon sometime soon. Hope you are keeping well. Sending you a big hug. Yvonne xxxx
A lovely description of the arrival of autumn and although yesterday felt like the height of summer, the heavy dews and shortening days are a sure sign that the season is changing. You're final comment rings very true.
As soon as I saw the title, I thought that has to be Georgepa. You never fail to disappoint. George. I hope you know how much pleasure you have given to us all, over the years. In those dark, dark days we were, unfortunately lots are still there, your descriptions are a beacon of light to cling on to, knowing that there is still a world out there to be enjoyed, even when life is crushing the very existence out of you.
Thank you so much!
Hope life is still treating you well. Must get together soon.
What a beautiful picture you paint. We too here in the North have noticed the swallows gathering on the phone wires waiting to leave and the golden light at sunset hitting the wood at the back of house and then last night a misty full moon coming up behind the trees, gave us a real eerie light. I'm afraid I haven't the way with words you have but I share your love of the natural world and the cycle of the seasons and do find comfort in it. Thank you for sharing. xxx
Beautiful. I love fall color. Unfortunately for us climate change has profoundly affected it. The last year for the type of color that was routine when I was a child was about 8 or 9 years ago when we had an unusual cool wet summer. Now due to the extreme heat when the trees go dormant their leaves slightly turn color then turn brown and fall off. The poplar leaves just turn brown not yellow like they use to.
Beautiful description. We are a bit behind you. I've just checked and my Virginia creeper is still green. It's still summer here some days and the next morning a sharp nip in the air. Today is slumbrous summer .
I'm finding it hard, although things are going quite well.
How is the shop doing ?
love, Jean xx
Your photo & picturesque words are marvelous. Mother Earth is preparing herself for winter here too... l am ready for spring already. Sending hugs... Granni B
Once again a beautiful photo , , and lovely description of the Devon Country side, I don't know how you manage to do it, but I'm glad you can, , , Thankyou ...Brenda . xx x
Thank you so much for sharing that. It is so beautiful and I love the photograph. Our previous home had a wonderful Virginia Creeper. I miss it. I would like to share this one with you as it has a similar vein.
Love AliBee x
Autumn Morning
There was an incredible light on the land this morning,
making things golden as the day was dawning.
The sky was blue, and pink, and grey
and the clouds made patterns at the start of the day.
The autumn trees blazed, as if on fire,
and … as the sun rose gently, higher and higher,
The sunbeams spread across the land, as if fanned out by an unseen hand.
Thank you for reminding me that beautiful nature is all around us even in these difficult times.When we are having a really tough day breathing in the dewy autumn air helps.Your words are so poignant and lyrical they made me cry.
Oh thank you Tippy that’s kind of you to say . I couldn’t come due to a previous commitment — baby sitting my daughter’s puppy . He came to stay for a couple of days whist she was away . It was his first time away and was quite an experience for both of us .I have had him for the odd day and have been to my daughter’s house to take him out whilst she was working but this was a sleepover . He arrived complete with basket , bedding and his comforter , a decidedly grubby ragged elephant . He greeted me with his usual enthusiasm which is a frantic full body wag and much face and ear washing ( mine!) All was well until bed time . Would he retire to his basket ? No! Bribery and corruption was of no avail so I just had to accept that I was going to have a night companion . Actually it’s quite nice having him snuggle up to your feet . I felt a bit like one of those knights you see on their tombs in churches ,arms crossed and feet resting on faithful dog . What I didn’t bank on was that every strange noise he heard in the night , and believe you me there were lots ,meant he would sit up and bark . So it was less of a sleepover and more of a barkover .
We got up at six and took to the fields which was lovely ,so many new smells for a town dog and the sun rising up through left over mist .In the afternoon Barney ,that’s his name ,took me on another walk ,one I had not done before, up hill and down dale , we chased rabbits and white butterflies and I sent him home utterly exhausted . Needless to say I had an early night myself as I was dog- tired too !
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