Autumn

 Autumn has taken me by surprise this year.

In mid September we went to Italy for a wedding and a few days holiday. On returning we all tested positive for covid and have stayed at home. I'm now recovered and am out walking again and in those couple of weeks since my last walk, summer has moved into autumn.

The bracken has turned brown and gold and funghi are appearing in the woods.

 

We are off to spend a few days in Scotland, I'm looking forward to noticing the seasonal changes as we travel north.

 

 

Today

 

Today I felt like coming here, to this long neglected space and posting a few photos taken this morning. I'm not sure why, I don't know whether this will be a regular occurence but here I am.

 

All is well here. Things have been quiet over the last couple of years but I am ready to emerge from the self-imposed coccoon I've happily tucked myself away in.

 So to anyone still around to read this, Hello, I hope you are well .

 

 

one week in

Here we are, a week into the restrictions placed upon us to slow the spread of Covid-19. We are allowed out once a day for exercise, a run, walk or cycle of our usual length and as infrequently as possible for shopping for food. Since retiring, on days we spend at home, we  have been in the habit of walking for an hour or two in the morning and then a shorter walk in the afternoon. This week we have had to be content with just the one walk but I am very grateful for that.

Spring is here and walking from home is a pleasure. We see many more people than we normally do whilst walking but everyone is being very careful to maintain the required 2 metre gap as we pass.

The warm weather has brought out the spring flowers, wild cherry blossom and buds on the horse chestnut.

In a sheltered spot I found bluebells and wood anemone.

The hedges are turning white with blackthorn.

Walking this week, I have been very grateful for the countryside around our home and for having a garden, there are many less fortunate. In the coming weeks there may be more restrictions to being outdoors brought into force but for now at least we can enjoy our daily walks.

Hello.

I thought I'd post a few photographs of my garden. In this strange new world we are living in, it is comforting to notice the unfolding of spring and realise that in nature and in our gardens things are continuing much as normal. Shortly after taking these photos I saw the first butterfly of the year, a yellow Brimstone - always the first one of the year round here, the natural cycles continue.

There are masses of celandines in this shady border. Although they are considered a rather invasive weed I appreciate the show of colour carpeting the ground and in a few short weeks the leaves will have died down and the area will be full of lily of the valley. I also think they might be a good way of smothering early weeds but that might be wishful thinking!

I haven't posted for months but hope to show up a bit more frequently in the coming weeks, connection online is going to become more important to us as we are inevitably isolated from family and friends and missing our social activities.

Edinburgh in November

A few photographs from my visit to Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago. We were blessed with lovely weather, cold frosty mornings and bright blue sky days.

We are lucky to be able to visit the city several times a year and like to revisit favourite places as well as find something new. This time we went to Holyrood Palace - no pictures as photography was not allowed. The photograph above is Holyrood Park with Arthur's Seat on the skyline.

The skyline of Edinburgh is very distinctive and you often get glimpses of parts of it as you walk around the city. Above is a view of Carlton Hill from the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Botanic Gardens are one of my favourite places to wander and look stunning at any time of the year. I am always drawn to the rock garden with its little paths and amazing array of plants,

still beautiful in November.

There were a few roses flowering in the Queen Mother's garden.

Although Edinburgh is a busy bustling capital city, quiet and calm spaces exist within it. The Water of Leith runs through the city providing another habitat for wildlife.

And of course right in the middle of the city, in the shadow of the castle, Princes Street Gardens are the perfect place to relax in the late autumn sunshine.