Before the fallen leaves turn to mulch allow me to share why I think Autumn is more than just cinnamon spiced lattes and pumpkin pies.

Spring is often thought of as the time for new beginnings but let’s not forget that new starts can’t happen before old skin’s been shed.  Autumn is nature’s way of shaking off the old in preparation for the new.  But it’s not always easy to say goodbye to things you’ve held on to all year and so each species of flora bids farewell to their old selves when they are ready, and not a minute before.

This year, thanks to climate change the mild weather, the trees have held on to their leaves a little longer than usual and so we’ve been treated to a more prolonged crisp underfoot.  But, worryingly, the warmer weather has confused the trees’ internal clock and even today, in the middle of November some old oaks are still wearing vibrant great coats when their arms ought to be empty.

Blackberry season has now all but passed so it’s time for the winter berries of hawthorn and holly to come into their own and glisten like jewels while the rosehips wither and fall back until the New Year.

Halloween rolls around, as always, and root vegetables take centre stage in a variety of  sweet and savoury guises.  Sunday Autumn afternoons are made for exploring outside with mittened hands and long scarves and carved pumpkins dotted here and there light paths when the sun sinks into the horizon.

And of course, ahead of the festive season Autumn has its own show-stopping set of sparkle for Guy Fawkes’ night.  What better way to herald the season’s change than with a riot of colour across the sky?

May you take advantage of all the rest that the season has to offer before the colder nights and darker days snuff out the last of this glorious light.

Until next time,

L X