Autumn and I

I've already written a post then deleted it. 

 Twice.

So, I gave up with that line of waffle, 

changed my story and started again. 

Welcome to my third attempt...

Autumn is truly here. Frosty mornings, chilly nights and trees rapidly losing their leaves.

The garden has lost the brighter colours of summer

and taken on the shades of seasonal decay. 

I love the way the spider webs sparkle in the softer autumnal light. 

It was such a lovely afternoon that,

once we'd eaten lunch, 

we pulled on boots and layers of woolly things,

and set off for a walk.

We set off up the hill to the playing fields,

there is still a fight to try and keep them,

but local government are intractable

and unaccommodating as ever.

I fear we will lose our small square of land,

due to lack of money.

Moss - with the animal clarity of the 'here and now'

didn't give two hoots (or rather two woofs) about the potential loss,

choosing to wallow in muddy puddles,

race around in mud

and generally have a silly grin on her face.

Having left the playing fields, 

our path narrowed down to a muddy trail.

The gentle scent of fallen leaves and wood smoke

fill our nostrils. 

We followed a stream which Moss splashed through,

the water was icy cold but she reveled in it!

The footpath rose up and over the fields. 

Then dropped back down to join the river,

which wound it's way into our local nature reserve.

The old mill pond, full of rushes and reeds, is almost silted up.

The ducks find it a quiet sanctuary.

The path became rather busy with dog walkers

and promenading couples, we chose to turn off 

and followed the less popular (very muddy) woodland track.

Cue squeals and giggles as we slipped and slid

our way while Moss charged about,

although more surefooted than us, still slipped and fell -

causing more laughter.

Happy Silly Dog.

As we headed for home,

the sky turned to the most brilliant purples and orange.

Glorious.

If this is Autumn, then she can stay,

Summer was a bit of a limp lettuce,

Winter and I don't always see eye to eye

and Spring seems a long way away.

So, yes, Autumn you can stay xx