Saturday Walking 19th October

What a beautiful day it has been today.  So nice to see some blue sky!

Saturday is the day we do the longer, more 'off road' walking.  Across fields, through woods etc...

A perfect morning for walking and enjoying the countryside that surrounds us with good company.

I met another person today and we got chatting and we are going to try and arrange to meet up to do some walks together on days we don't have the group walks which should be nice.  I will look forward to that.  

This walking is getting rather addictive!  How much more pleasant it is when I am not ending up in pain in my legs etc...  So much different from the last year.

After lunch DH and I took the dogs out as I didn't get to take them out for their early morning walk this morning. That was enjoyable as well.

I of course collected more Conkers on my walk...it seems I just can't resist picking them up.  I collected quite a bowlful it seems!

They are so pretty when they are fresh and shiny. Such lovely grains and patterns on them.

Well evening is upon us already.  Dinner shortly and then an evening knitting.  

A Dreary Monday

I donned my wet weather gear this morning, but fortunately the rain held off for the duration of our walk apart from for a few minutes.  

Some Canadian Geese flew overhead and then a while later we saw them all on the lake

There were many more than usual, I don't think I have ever seen quite so many on this lake, and others said the same.

We stopped for our customary cuppa at the end of the walk and I enjoyed chatting to several people.  I've been invited to join them on a walk on Thursday out of the local area, so that should be really good.  I'm looking forward to it.

I picked up some more Horse Chestnuts on the way home - I just can't help myself.

The two on the right are huge.  The photo doesn't really illustrate it properly.   They are almost double the size of the one on the lower left which is a large conker in itself.  I ought to measure them!  They were 'twins' and came out of the same pod (not sure what you call the outer shell).  The conkers are much larger this year than they have been in previous years.  

When I got home DH asked if I'd like to go out for lunch, and as I hadn't been able to pick up any fresh croissants or rolls on the way home to make our lunch with I said yes please.  We went to the Garden Centre Cafe near the Vintage Emporium, so of course called in there on the way home. 

I've been wanting a new linen basket for ages, and when I saw this Lloyd Loom one for £10 I grabbed it as I have seen them in this shop before for a lot more money than that.

It is painted a yellow colour, which is actually quite nice.  The light inside is just not good enough to capture the colour properly.

So very pleased with this bargain of the day, especially as it has been on our 'need' list for quite some time.

Sunday

Another wet day, so have spent it trying to sort through 'stuff'.  Not many other words for it.  A job I don't find pleasurable in any form, but it needs to be done.  I did a tiny bit of faffing and have put fresh batteries in the fairy lights.  Need a bit of twinkle to brighten these dull days. 

I had a wander down to the Antique Fair today, but only spent the entrance fee, so that was good.  No temptations there at all.  I collected a few conkers on the way home.

I've got a few jobs to do tomorrow.  Phone the tree people as we need some of our larger trees trimmed, and also phone the electrician so we can get the timer fixed on our heating so we can start to put it on! Hopefully I'll get through to both and get them booked in asap.

So Sunday is almost over.  The week has flown by as always.  Almost two weeks into October already.  I want to slow down time, it just seems to speed past far too quickly for my liking!

The First Conkers & Percy has a Seizure

The first two conkers of the season!  

They tell us that Autumn really must be on its way despite my denial.

The weather has been warm today and it was a lovely morning.  

We had to take our little Percy to the vet this morning as he had a small seizure last night.  It didn't last long, but he had seemed a bit 'off' all day, rather unsure and unsteady on his feet.  Whether this means that he had had one the previous night we don't know.  The vet said to keep an eye on him.  The first port of call will be to have blood tests done, but as these were last done in March when he went blind he said they probably wouldn't be much different but if he doesn't come right then to have them done first to rule out anything systematic. If they are right and he continues to have seizures then he will need some scans as he is a very young dog to have gone blind suddenly AND then to start having seizures.  We are so hoping it was a one off.  He has handled his blindness amazingly well and has been a little superstar so to see him suddenly not right is very worrying.  He has had lots of cuddles today.

My orchid is looking lovely in my room.

Touches of Autumn

It definitely feels like Autumn with a nip in the air...

This poor dragonfly was found this morning - not sure if it was the cold, or just his/her time.

Such amazing colours.

The lacy wings are incredible.

We went out walking the dogs today, well wrapped up in my cardigan, jacket and rain jacket over the top as just as we went to go, it started showering...fortunately not for long and the dogs needed to go out.  I took my camera with me as I knew there was something I wanted to photograph while out.

This wonderful passion flower.

There was a bee busy on the other flower.

Isn't nature just incredible?

While out I couldn't resist collecting some conkers and acorns - it really does feel like Autumn is here.  

I put them on my oak leaf pottery plate that I have had for many years - it was made in NZ - and placed it on my window sill.