Autumn on the Ridgeway and in Bishopstone

Every year I find the end of the summer a bit depressing. This year more so than normal as we had such a dreadfully wet one. More often than not though September throws a quick splash of warmth before the dull cold grey skies of winter set in. This year has been no exception. Its been been really lovely to be here over the past couple of weeks. With temperatures back in the 20Cs and and the sun out all day. I love it like that in the Autumn.

Yesterday I set off with Nelson on my near weekly cycle ride to the Uffington White Horse some 5 miles or so from Bishopstone along the Ridgeway. It was a bright warm and sunny Saturday morning and loads of other people were out and about on the path too. Sometimes I can cycle for hours and not see a soul but yesterday I must have passed 50 or more people in that short distance.

A new sign post has been put up since I last passed that way (or maybe I just didn't see it before...).



It has a lovely description of the area which I love more than any other place I've been in the world. So here it is. Seems that the human race has liked it for more than 6000 years! And I can see why.



I took a few shots of the path and the fields, and I think you can its Autumn from the light alone. I'm not sure what it is, but the sun seems to shine differently at this time of year, on a hot day its less bright, and more glowing all round.






Meanwhile back in the garden the fine weather is bringing on fruit and vegetables that had until now failed to deliver. I've loaded up a final picture of my ruined cabbage and broccoli, the caterpillars have finally abandoned their site of the great feast and gone thank goodness.



I don't hate all caterpillars equally. I love the Red Admiral ones, they eat nettles. At school when I was 10 or so, I did a project on the Red Admiral butterfly life cycle. Ever since then I've been very fond of this not so common butterfly.




Every Autumn they come to this bush in my garden to feed. They are so vividly black, red and white. One of the prettiest British butterflies I think.



Elsewhere in the garden are some lovely Gourds of various types just ripening off. They will make superb Autumn decorations. In 2 weeks time the Harvest Happening takes place at the church and maybe some of them will make it into the decorations there.



The apples have been particularly good this year. Look at these whoppers! They taste as good as they look too. I only wish I knew how to keep them for prolonged periods of time. Sadly many just fall to the ground and get wasted as we can't eat them quickly enough.



The Figs too are ripe. We've already had several and over the next few days will be cooking some with some Gorgonzola. Yum!

The last crop of Rhubarb was pulled today too. We'll be having it for pud tonight after a big leg of Pork. I'm salivating, just thinking of the crackling and then the "bub and custard".



While poking about down the end of the garden I came across this beautiful coral Fungus. It fell off a bit of wood as I was clearing some weeds...

We had planned on going on a Fungal Foray this afternoon. But Millie decided not to sleep this morning instead requesting her bed around 2pm which has scuppered the plans. Never mind, theres always next weekend...