Leaves still on the trees - NOT amateur radio

 Yesterday we were on the edge of the first named storm this autumn in the UK. Winds were stronger in NW Scotland.

I was surprised not to see far more leaves on the grass rather than on the trees. Presumably the leaves that remain (about half) are the ones that still remain more green. As autumn progresses most of these will change colour and fall as they have done for millions of years. 

It is always nice to look forward to new life busting out in spring. Winter first! 😞

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

In many ways, this year seems to have gone fast. As mentioned yesterday, our perception of the passing of time may alter as we age.

Autumn seems just a few weeks after last Christmas!  Where did the year go?  At the moment in our garden, trees are looking tired, but most are still in leaf. A few weeks, a few autumn gales will soon change things!

Leaves - NOT amateur radio

At this time of year the garden looks dead. Leaves are falling off trees, the grass is wet and all looks, well,  past it. We swept up a bin full of leaves this morning, but there will be a lot more in a couple of weeks. I look forward to seeing bulbs pushing through and signs of new life. 

At first, we have to accept that things are asleep following cycles that have been the same for thousands of years.

Basically I like the seasons.

See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44400/spring-and-fall .  This poem  by Gerard Manley Hopkins to me says so very much.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

It has turned much colder in the UK and we can see we are now in autumn. This photo shows the leaves in our garden.

Autumn leaves - NOT amateur radio

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" and all that. Today we went for a stroll at Brandon Country Park, Suffolk, UK. It was quiet and there were definite signs of autumn, as the photo shows.

Leaves - NOT amateur radio

The weather is turning chillier, the nights are drawing in and the leaves are starting to turn in colour. This picture was taken yesterday by my wife at nearby Anglesey Abbey.

Wind and leaves - NOT amateur radio

At this time of the year here in the UK, sweeping up fallen leaves from the lawns is an almost endless task! We have quite gusty winds (although nothing like those in Scotland), so I expect the remaining leaves to fall soon. I spent some time this morning raking up leaves, but the rear lawn will be covered again by tomorrow.

We have an ornamental cherry that lost its leaves a few weeks ago. The silver birch was next and a copper maple (?) on our boundary is losing leaves now. The lilac next door is dropping leaves as well. Oh the joy of seasons.

It won't be too long before the nights start to get shorter again and a new cycle of life is evident. It is good to think that the fallen leaves help to produce the strength in the new season.

I like our seasons. In each there is something good. We have had rich colours this autumn and there is something lovely about a crisp winter day with a low sun and no leaves on the trees. There is also something good about drawing the curtains early and just watching the telly.

Then, before you know it, it is spring again, with breakfast sun and lighter evenings and mowing those lawns! England - still lovely.

Leaves - NOT amateur radio

The back garden looks more autumnal by the day. In the last few days our silver birch has lost most of its leaves. With heavy winds and rain, I think the remaining deciduous trees will lose theirs in the next few days.