I love the first hint of autumn; that sudden rich earthy smell, the reds and golds, unexpected mists and the rhythm of the falling leaves.
The garden is overflowing with rosy crab apples, swollen fruit, berries of all description, rose hips, nuts and acorns.
The toadstools are back.
Despite being the fourth most deadly mushroom in the UK, I’m always thrilled to see these wonderful Fly Argaric delights. Faerie homes they be!
The Death Cap is the UK’s most lethal ‘shroom, and if eaten, there’s no known antidote.
Did you know there are 150k species of mushrooms in the UK?
It’s been busy around here, as always, but I often have to think long and hard about what I’ve actually been doing.
Schools visits have been completed, it’s always rewarding having little ones hanging onto your every word….delusional me….it’s always the hedgehogs they want to see.
Talking of little ones, Littl’urchin stayed over last weekend. She’s such a good little girl but there’s such a lot of work involved in looking after a baby.
How she loves watching the dogs, their barking, growling and playing fascinate her, and they are LOUD! Yet she’s terrified of daughters’ Furby , a tiny furry toy that talks! I thought she’d love it!
We just loved having her, it still warms my heart, remembering her cooing at me each morning while gently touching my face with her chubby, dimpled little hands, as we snuggled under the duvet for hours watching the birds.
Hubs told me that he’d read that the reward for having children was having grandkids.
How true…you get to enjoy them, adore them, then hand them back.
What a gift she is. Lovely that daughter and her partner got a weekend away too.
How mothers need a break!
Canals have been power-walked in the rain…
we are lucky to have so many close by. We’re currently attempting to walk the entire Leeds Liverpool canal, it’s so interesting to walk a different stretch each time.
Hubs and I also enjoyed a gun/archery course.
I did enjoy it, especially the archery, but I have to say that Carr Mill dam, where the course is based, captured my attention more.
It was teeming with wildlife.
Grebes and herons where everywhere.
The sunset wasn’t to be sniffed at either.
And Finally….
Woodpigeon chicks are still pouring into the rescue, they are utterly delightful when chicks but the minute they’re weaned they go wild.
How lovely to have your adorable grandchild for a whole weekend, what joy she brings you. Autumn is beautiful, it would be even lovelier if only it would stop raining.
It is always so lovely having Littl’urchin, who knew you could love a child so much? Oh, I’m with you re the eternal rain! Thanks Chloris.xxx
Thanks Peter, Despite the colder weather, I do love Autumn. Hopefully your spring won’t be a washout.xxx
Great post and fantastic images. Poor you, Autumn rearing its colours and chills. Spring has sprung down here and we have been told it will be a wet one. Still cold with the fine days.
It’s ironic that the toadstool that shows up in every cute children’s story is so deadly! My garden just sports the plain brown variety and I have no idea if they’re killers or not. I only eat mushrooms purchased from the store. Very cute baby!
Yes, those toadstools certainly feature in worldwide fairy stories! We have lots of brown mushrooms too along with a variety of white ones. I’m with you, I’d be terrified to pick mushrooms in the wild. Hope all is well with you. Thanks Casa.xxx
What a lovely post this is … and no, I didn’t know there are 150k species of mushrooms in the UK !
I always think those Faerie home toadstools are amazing …
Talking of amazing your little grand-daughter is, she is adorable.
Happy October wishes.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, yes, we are certainly rich on the mushroom front! I’m really enjoying being a grandmother, Littl’urchin is such fun company. xxx
What lovely pictures in this post. Such a cutie pie that sweet babe is. We were just getting into fall, the weather was still almost hot last week and then boom, a blizzard that dumped 55 cm onto our city in two days (and way more in the mountains). Yikes. It will probably melt by the weekend but it’s gonna be a mess with all the water and wet leaves. I did not know about the mushrooms in the UK
Thanks Susanne. I’d forgotten how cute babies can be! Good grief….a blizzard you say? already??? Hope all was well, I’ll pop over and check! xxx
Hello there and thank you for stopping by my blog !
I’m in a bit of a rush at the minute but I wanted to stop by and say hello and how gorgeous your toadstools, sunset and grand baby are !
I love that chill creeping in … you have to love a chill on the side to be a real Canuck ? LOL
Although after a while winter can get to us , I think we flourish in colder temps.
Loved your pictures … it is a beautiful stroll to take there … wish I could do that too !
Hi Joy, welcome to my blog! Oh, that Autumn chill is always welcome, and the turning leaves. xxx
A chill may be creeping in, but what a collection of heart-warming images: everything from the woodpigeon chicks to your own, very special little chicklet. Grandchildren and grandparents having time together is one of the most wonderful experiences in life, and the enjoyment only will increase as she gets a little older.
Your “walking place” is so delightful. I very nearly went out just to walk today, but it’s still so hot it just isn’t appealing. So, I’m tending to home chores, and crossing my fingers for a little cooler, more autumnish weather. I’m eager for some of those autumn foods that are so glorious, and for really good apples!
Thanks Linda, I never imagined how wonderful being a Nana could actually be. I do hope your temperatures have dropped by now and you get to enjoy Autumn and her harvest.xxx
Those apples look yummy, and your granddaughter is adorable!
Sadly, the birds get most of the apples! I’m sure you two will have a Lillt’urchin soon! xxx
Autumn…..even just saying the word makes me smile inwardly.
You and me both. Welcome to the blog.xxx
You have been busy – I think you need a rest now,
Thanks Sue, you do forget how much care babies need, but it’s soooo easy when you can hand them back, that’s why it’s so much fun!xxx
What a sunset glow…it could easily light up a BBQ.
Little one is fair coming on. Having a sleepover with grandparents is a very special and busy family working treat for you. Furby is obviously soooooooo different from the real thing. It must be strange for her to see a mouthpiece trying to be a four leggéd animation. Anyway, Little ‘un has her own ideas, already….
I love to see the glow on flowers, bushes and trees, leaves and grasses during and just after the rain. It makes for great photos.
Did either of you get any bulls-eyes?
xxxxxx
It must be strange for her to see a mouthpiece trying to be a four leggéd animation.
Spot on!!!! Goodness, you are the second person to figure that out….I couldn’t understand her fear, but now I get it, she’s used to the real thing. Yes, I got me several bulls eyes. a few more than hubs much to his annoyance, he can be very competitive, as can I! Oh….thatglow on flora after the rains…magical! Thanks Menhir.xxx
Your opening sentence expresses so beautifully the joy of autumn presenting itself to us…
I have to admit to feeling a little envious of you having such a beautiful grandchild…..Recently I visited Gail and Mick in Kent and they also have their first grandchild….and so I guess I just have to enjoy other people’s as I don’t think my two will be producing anything soon:)
I am off to Portugal on the 2nd for one week and so back here on the 9th and then I can settle down and enjoy the delights of autumn,
Sending love
Janet XXXXXXXX
Thanks Janet, Autumn is an artists dream for sure. I remember daughter asking me if I would be OK with her not having children, I was totally OK with that. Now I have Littl’urchin the very idea is abhorrent! How we adore her. Lovely that you get to enjoy your friend’s grand. You may end up with them yet!!! I did! Have a wonderful time in Portugal. Love and hugs.xxxx
Gorgeous autumn colours, Dina! Especially as we know that it will fade into winter quite soon. (I’ve already had the heating on in the evenings for a very quick boost of warmth!) Babies are generally fascinated by animals and I can quite see how your dogs would entertain your grandbaby – and I love the pics of her! What a treat that weekend must have been – for all of you, judging by the picture of Hubs and babe – lol! xxx
Aren’t the leaves turning quickly this year? I’ve had the heating on in the evenings too, I think it’s log burner season now! Daughter grew up with three dogs and growled before she could talk, my MIL was utterly horrified and thought she was a feral child. Oh…it was a lovely weekend for sure as you always get to give the baby back! Thanks Caro. xxx
Garden is looking bountiful and beautiful, Dina?!!
I bet the pups love Baby H, too. Maybe she loves them because they roam and are unpredictable? Interesting!
You and J have such wonderful adventures! I would have wondered towards the herons and grebes as well, though.
Glad Daughter and her beloved had a break together. Such a lovely time of year for that.
Blessings to all the babies and grown life forms in your care; they’re already blessed by you, but may their healing and long lives continue…
Sending love,
K
I’m amazed at how much Littl’urchin enjoys the dogs, yet is scared stiff of a talking furry toy! I think you nailed it,the dogs are roaming and responsive while the toy isn’t, it moves but doesn’t roam! Poor Sam is terrified at all the toys that are hurled, willy nilly from her high chair though. Thanks Kitty, love and hugs to one and all.xxxxx
Yes a lovely post, as some have already said. Autumn is my favourite time too. Lucky you …having your granddaughter over for the weekend, we have just looked after our wee one for the weekend too … I agree with you grandchildren are extra special.💕 Have fun in your walks and looking after woodpigeon chicks.
Oh, how lovely that we both got a weekend, it’s lovely having them isn’t it, and then you get to hand them back and replenish the batteries! Autumn is always such a riot of colour, and so atmospheric. Thanks Gerrie.xxx
Lovely post and pictures. xx
Thanks Mr F.xxx
I’m glad your daughter and partner had a break away and I’m sure little granddaughter had a wonderful time being entertained by you and the dogs. It’s good you’re getting out yourselves for lovely walks by the canal. Autumn is great for all the home grown produce. Do you make something with the crab apples? Anyway, they do look pretty hanging on the trees. All the best with the animals coming into the rescue centre. They certainly need a lot of attention, but when they respond to the care that’s given it must be satisfying and also fun working with a like-minded team.
Littl’urchin adores the dogs, nothing about them phases her out which is strange given all the growling and barking and rough playing. Sadly, all the crab apples and apples are left for the birds, I’m no baker and don’t have a sweet tooth. I do pass a lot of apples around the neighbours though. Thanks Linda.xxx
I can tell just how that gorgeous little girl has captured your heart. I’m not sure that I’ll have grandchildren for a while yet but I’m looking forward to having little ones around the place again. It sounds like you’ve been busy with one thing or another, it’s good to get out when we can now before we’re hunkering down for winter.
Oh yes, that child has hubs and I utterly besotted! Here’s to you having grands one day. Thanks Jo.xxx
What a lovely post. Love the fairy house toadstools! Littl’urchin looks adorable – lucky you having her for a whole weekend – and lucky daughter too! The archery sounds fun, as does feeding a woodpigeon chick! How late in the year do they continue having chicks? Have a great week. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. I always look forward to the toadstools, they never disappoint. Oh…we adore Littl’urchin, it’s always lovely having her and great for lovely daughter and partner to have a weekend away. Woodpigeons actually breed all year round so we have chicks in the rescue all year, especially over autumn and winter when many nest are blown out of trees or flooded.xxx