Autumn already?

Walking the dogs the other morning I detected a temporal shift. (No not a rift in the time-space continuum - you watch too much sci-fi).

Spring began for me with a subtle shift in the greens of the valley. I declare Autumn to have begun with a shift in the browns. Still subtle, Autumn is not yet full-on.

Leaves are falling in increasing numbers and begin to cover up the paths. Red jewels of the rowan trees are scattered around, too prolific for the birds to eat them all. The dew was heavy on the grass and the swallows seem to be feeding like they know they have a long journey soon.

Autumn is one of my favourite times of year but only one among many. Living here in the valley seems to allow the shifting seasons to be more present somehow. Certainly more so than our previous urban home. Now every day essential rituals include checking the weather forecast, since the outside impacts most things we do. You have to do most things anyway but it helps you decide which clothes to wear since it is such a long way to dash back to the house if the heavens open.

Sue needs a new pair of wellingtons that do not leak and my thoughts are turning towards waterproof trousers that are what the name suggests they should be. Autumn is breaking upon us but in the meantime we enjoy some very welcome sunshine.