the running wave

Wherever we have lived, I have always kept a close eye on the local holly trees!  Once they have produced their new crop of berries, I make a mental note of which trees are looking abundant, and which appear to be a bit sparse.  All this, of course, is with Christmas in mind!  Since we left Edinburgh, I do have a favourite holly tree which I return to each year.  I went to check up on it yesterday afternoon.  Unfortunately, it is not looking very promising, berry-wise, but there are other trees I have earmarked to avoid a dearth of holly at Christmas time (which is not an option!)  Once we had checked on the tree, the dogs and I enjoyed a walk around familiar fields with much loved views.   I think the beech tree gives the best of autumn colour.  Glorious rich colours which make the countryside glow. We walked along this lovely grassy path, with crunchy ginger biscuit coloured leaves on either side, and then back up the hill to the car...

Mr Gaucho was meeting a contractor on site this afternoon, at the home of an old neighbour of ours, so the dogs and I had the opportunity to walk round our favourite field.  It is just further down the drive from where we lived in the wood.  The sad part of the afternoon was having to pass our old home, and to see the soulless place it has become.  My lovely flowerbeds, full of delicious smelling rugosa and old fashioned roses, along with other plants I love, have all been dug up.  The little hawthorn tree my eldest son gave me for my 60th birthday has gone, and the garden looks naked and suburban. It is no longer a rather rambling but lovely country garden.  To add insult to injury, the house has been adorned with bits of twee tat.  Totally out of place in those surroundings, and such a shame. Anyway, moving on swiftly to more important and better things, the field was as lovely as ever, and the dogs really enjoyed all the smells they foun...

Autumn is in now in full swing, and the leaves on the trees have a glowing palette of golden yellow, reds, tawny golds and crispy browns.  And in the midst of everything falling to bits in the countryside, I found this confused little soul, nestling in amongst moss and the buttery yellow fallen leaves of silver birch.  Made my day!

The first evening sky of October, at about 7.30 pm. Five minutes later.