Monday 4 October 2010

Autumn Glory

I love Autumn. Keats’ “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is, without doubt, one of my favourite times of the year. The prospect of some of the best British produce as well as some excellent walking means there is always plenty to look forward to.

Sitting here as the rain rattles against the window it is hard to imagine the sun ever shining again. But it can, and will, and when it does it can be a truly glorious time of year. Admittedly, the days are becoming a little shorter and the nights are closing in that bit sooner, but there is still plenty of daylight for an ambitious day out and the chance to work up an appetite. What could be nicer than a bracing walk followed by a hearty meal rounded off with a fine fruit pudding and custard?

Recent weekends have been taken up with a variety of celebrations – birthdays, weddings and anniversaries – with hardly any time for walking other than a quick hour or so here and there. So it’s quite nice to be looking forward to an October with few relatively commitments and a chance to get a few more miles under our belt. In anticipation I have been poring over the maps, plotting and planning our forthcoming trips, which is perhaps the next best thing to walking itself.

Outside, the leaves are already beginning to turn, their greens morphing to flaming yellows, burnished browns and fiery reds. Soon hillsides and valleys will appear emblazoned with rich colours that cannot fail to cheer the heart.

So, here’s to a favourable forecast and a good appetite. Roll on the next few weeks!

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