Tuesday 28 October 2014

Looking closer

As the clocks went back this weekend we were all treated to that precious extra hour in bed. But the flip side is that the nights are with us far sooner now, and being able to enjoy those dwindling hours of daylight is becoming more of a luxury. Long gone are the carefree days whereby we could just decide to go for a walk and not pay any heed to the time. Now we have to consider where we might be when it gets dark, will we need a torch, are we sure of the direction?

When some dear friends came to visit at the weekend Mr K and I wanted to show them our new favourite walk - the Aston to Burston loop. 

By the time we set off along the canal we were already losing the light.


Looking to the left over to the marina.


And to the right over the fields.


I loved this seat - I wonder who made it?


And the back of this grand house with it's walled garden.


Up to the stile.


Then looking back across the bridge to that glorious red tree  - I can't remember the name, can you?


Over the fields now toward the river.


Looking down through the last of the brightly coloured leaves.


 The sun sinking behind the treeline.


And the birds gathering across the lake.


Stark silhouettes.



Last time we were here the hay bales were waiting for collection.


Now the earth is resting until the spring.


The hedges have been pleached.


But by now the light had almost gone and it was almost impossible to keep taking pictures.


One final treat though as we headed home was this pond. I'd never noticed it before - perhaps lush summer growth had obscured the view - but now it seemed calm and magical.


Although the colours have all but faded this was a wonderful walk. Perhaps we appreciate the colours that are left all the more. We have to look a little more closely but the appreciation is ten fold.

By the time we returned home it was pitch black. We lit the fire and tucked in to our home made apple cake and fresh coffee. We were pretty tired by then but were left with ruddy cheeks, muddy boots and lovely memories.

Jane
xxx

P.S. I've had some great responses to my request for spooky stories but would love to hear more in time for Hallowe'en. If you think you could contribute take a look at my post here - I'll look forward to hearing from yoooooooooou...........

17 comments :

  1. A wonderful walk Jane...I love your photos and commentary.
    I think the red tree is Sumach....https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sumach+tree&sa=X&biw=1680&bih=949&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=bJBPVJeUGpKS7AbapoD4DQ&ved=0CDkQsAQ

    Jacquie x

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  2. Just the perfect evening walk. Thank you for sharing such stunning photos x

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  3. Such stunning light and colour on your photos today. Jo x

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  4. Oh, how lovely - it is a super walk in all seasons. I love the picture of you all returning home to a warm fire, coffee and apple cake:)

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  5. Of course the afterwards has to include cake and coffee; what is a walk for if not to make the return home a golden warm moment?

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  6. What a wonderful walk, so many lovely views as you walk along. I like the photo looking over the marina.

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  7. I loved the walk Jayne and my feet are not even tired! Kind Regards Pam.

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  8. A lovely walk, Jane. The reward of coffee and homemade cake sounds lovely too! :o)

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  9. What a lovely walk ... and ghost stories ? I have a couple from houses we've lived in over the years ...

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    1. Oh now come on Susan - tell us more ! Jane ;)

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  10. Jane, over here in New York, we will turn our clocks back next Sunday (also the day of the NYC Marathon race, so extra drama involved in careful clock setting.)

    Your afternoon photograps are so, so beautiful. I would gladly have gone on that walk with you all. The brilliant red-leafed tree is ... brilliant. Everything that appears in your photographs adds an ingredient to the story of this first early sundown.

    Beautiful! And how grand to return home to what you all returned home to find and enjoy.

    Best wishes. xo

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  11. What a lovely walk. It's nice to get home again and light the fire for the evening.

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  12. Thanks for the walk-in-pictures, it looks beautiful so not hard to see why it's one of your favourites. As I type here, it's not yet 4.30pm but already starting to get dark :-(
    Perfect excuse to get the fire on though, isn't it?
    xx

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  13. It is lovely to go for a walk at this time of year isn't it. It is so beautiful where you live so I can see why you wanted to get out. xx

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  14. Lovely autumnal pictures Jane, the walk looks fabulous. Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Jane x

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  15. Such a beautiful place to walk and collect your thoughts.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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