Autumn Scenes

We've had some really beautiful weather here during the past week and you can bet I've been out and about making the most of it. It's been a pleasure to walk with the sun on my face and blue skies up above, and I've felt energised and delighted just taking simple short walks to the shops.

One morning last week I was on my way home from the supermarket and had to navigate my way around this swan. They are impressive birds when they are out of the water, standing around 4ft tall (1.2m) and the general rule is to give them a fairly wide berth when they are up on the tow path. They are used to humans but sometimes get a bit hissy and those necks have a surprisingly long reach (spoken from experience). 

The bright, clear weather has made our morning walks very beautiful indeed, and it's wonderful to witness the light creeping in to a new day.

At the tail end of the day the light is very different but no less glorious....the above photo I took around 3.30 as I was walking home from town. I thought the scene looked so soft and painterly, as if I was viewing my own life captured on a canvas.

On Saturday I woke up to sunshine for the third day running and it felt a little bit unreal - we are simply not used to multiple days of fine weather at this time of year, well at any time of year really. As you know, my Saturday morning routine is to walk into town with J to buy groceries from the market and local shops. The beautiful sunshinyness made me want to take a scenic detour so I persuaded J to indulge my desire for scenery and off we went, up the hilly streets.....

...along the little track.....

....and into the top of the woodland. 

It was such a fabulous way to start the day, all golden and fresh and utterly autumnal. It added an extra 45 minutes to our walk into town, but it was so, so worth it.

After our food shop we usually head to one of our favourite cafés and on a Saturday morning it's pretty lively with a great friendly atmosphere. With its vaulted ceiling and huuuuuuge windows it's always filled with warmth and light when the sun is shining, I love it.

We got home from having our café breakfast and after putting all the shopping away, J and I decided to drive to Bolton Abbey to take advantage of the amazing weather. I asked Little B if he fancied coming with us, fully expecting him to say no and what do you know, he decided to join us without any hesitation. 

Oh, it was absolutely delightful out there on Saturday, so calm and bright and uplifting with the bluest of skies.

I loved breathing in these gorgeous autumn scenes.....

.....it felt so good, not only to have the extra exercise but good for my soul too.

Our fire is now lit every afternoon because the temperatures have dropped in the past week. Around about 3 pm is my usual time to clean, lay and light the fire and it's a job I adore. There is something incredibly homely about making a fire in the hearth and settling down to enjoy the warmth of it, and the kitty is usually right there with me. Another good-for-the-soul autumn scene I think?

The weather turned yesterday, of course it did. Three straight days of sunshine came to a sudden halt with drizzly rain and a wild wind whipping around the place. 

The trees are shedding their leaves at a rapid rate now, tumbling them down in great drifts that carpet the ground. Yesterday in the woods there was a swan swimming on the tiny little overflow stream, the first time we've ever seen one here. I say swimming, but really it was slopping along in the mud, half wading and half paddling, poor thing. It was definitely not in the right place.

Today has been even wilder than yesterday and it seems we are in the grips of yet another storm. This one is called Debi, and she has been very noisy here today, whistling down the chimneys and driving rain against the windows. I expect there will be hardly any leaves left on the trees now, and I'm so glad that I've been out to appreciate all that glorious autumn colour while it lasted. 

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Comments

[Cathy]

Lucy your photos are truly good for the soul! I adore seeing the seasons change throughout the year in your beautiful part of the country. You are inspiring me to take a daily walk too and I will make a concerted effort to do so. Thanks for your wonderful blog. 😊

[Bonnie Brocklehurst]

Always love seeing where you live and your sweet cozy house, Fall is my favourite season, always so nice to come home to our cozy homes, with our basket of crochet waiting and the cat curled up by the fire, we have so much to be thankful for, and you, Lucy, are on of them, thanks for setting me on my crochet journey💕🍁🍁🍁

[Kate]

You do live in a stunning place. I know it doesn't quite satisfy your need for the sea, but it's pretty amazing! I live near the coast in Suffolk but I long for the northern landscape. Thank you for your wonderful photographs xx

[Sue Floyd]

Like many other readers, I absolutely love reading your blog posts. The joy it gives me is like when I read a good book...only its reality not fiction! Thank you so much for all you share, photos, stories,recipes and wisdom. You are a blessing!
Sue

[Julia]

Lucy, your posts always bring me such joy! I'm happy to hear you have been enjoying some sunshine and nice weather - it really makes all the difference to me. That's a really delicious-looking coffee you have above in such a lovely and cozy cafe. Hope you are having a great day.

[Hilary Fraser]

Lucy Did you ever do a woodland blanket in colour wash colours as you have do for other blankets? I’ve searched all your patterns and can’t find one.
Thank you

[Angela]

Oooh lovely autumnal pics there, especially the one at the "tail end of the day" with the golden light shining through the trees and on to the water 😍 It does look very picturesque and worthy of being hung up on a wall! Who knew swans were 4 feet tall! Given I'm just over 5 foot that is slightly unsettling! 😬😂

When we had a fireplace, my favourite part of the day was lighting the fire and readying for a cosy night in. I miss having one so much! I haven't had a fireplace since 2009 but hoping to get one installed somtime in the near future.

Another lovely blog post Lucy and the new CAL blanket looks amazing!! Thank you 😊❤️

[Kathy N.]

I love your writing and pictures. It is such a pleasure to "live" it with you. Thank you

[Beverley]

Beautiful Autumn pictures. Hope Storm Debi didn't cause too much damage in your part of the UK and that she has now gone quietly off to sulk on her own after stomping all around.
Take care and enjoy each day x

[gina in alabama]

What a gorgeous Surprise, a swan in the street and one in the woods. You take the loveliest photos! Thanks for posting, I love your posts and your record of your life. Visiting your blog (and your town) makes me feel so happy.

[Kristine S]

Oh how beautiful & calming that all looks❣️🥰👌 Thanks so much for your view of the world around you, so different to mine, so far away! Love to you & yours 🍂🍁💖🫂🤗

[Charlotte]

You deserved those glorious days as a reward for some of the things you endured last month. Sunshine and colours like that in the day, and cosy evenings by the fire is such a wonderful combination! Cx

[Debbi Robertson]

Your photos are as lovely as always, those blue skies dazzling! I wouldn't imagine it took much persuading for J to agree to a longer walk through the woods. His caring for you makes it easy to say "yes" to just about anything, I suspect! Not quite sure about that storm Debi though. . . :)

[Sue]

Gorgeous photography! Absolutely breathtaking scenery. I just want to print them all and pin them on my wall! xxx

[Linda from Boston]

Beautiful pictures! Bright blue sky. Last night our weather turned cold…… and our birdbath was frozen this morning!! It was a hockey/skating rink for the birds and squirrels!! We have a birdbath heater for the winter, but who knew we’d have to start using it so soon. Snow flakes possible for the morning.
I miss summer. 😎

[Sandra]

That's glorieus weather you have had an a lovely walk. I could do with some sunshine, it's all about rain and heavy wind these days overhere.