Friday 27 November 2020

Autumn Fading



The last few weeks have been a bit of an uphill struggle. Inconsistent working hours, dark damp weather, together with the general fatigue I often feel at this time of year, have all taken their toll and left me just a bit wrung out and drained. Most evenings I've been completely exhausted, barely moving from the sofa once I've eaten my dinner. Fortunately, after today, my hours are returning to a regular pattern once more and I fully intend to ensure they stay that way as we get closer and closer to Christmas.


I keep meaning to write some lists, aside from the ones in my head. It seems no matter how much I try and pare back our celebrations there is still quite a lot to organise. And even though I keep threatening this will consist of simply a long walk followed by a vegetable lasagne and glass of red wine on Christmas day, I'm not sure I could deal with the complaints from family members. I wouldn't want to disappoint them, so a proper Christmas dinner it will be. Although they are still unsure as to whether or not I am teasing, as only yesterday I had to offer reassurance that the apple sauce was already prepared and in the freezer :)

Anyway, I will definitely be making a start this weekend. I've already bought a few gifts and the rest shouldn't take very long to sort, once I put my mind to it. 

Even though it has been a difficult few weeks, I have been out for some lovely walks. I am so grateful I can do this, as it's a huge benefit to my wellbeing. Online, I saw someone referred to it as the Natural Health Service - this is so very true.

The landscape is beginning to fade, losing much of it's autumn colour and now that we are edging towards winter many of the trees are almost completely bare.

Last weekend, with the weather finally on our side, we climbed Place Fell, overlooking Ullswater. A beautiful morning, we set off from Patterdale walking in shade on the flanks of the fell. Looking up to the ridge line I saw the silhouettes of what I initially thought were sheep but, in fact, turned out to be a large herd of red deer. It was wonderful to see them against the bright blue of the sky, so much that I didn't take a photograph, choosing instead to enjoy the moment.

Following the initial gentle climb, our route took a sharp left turn to continue along the steep but clear pathway to the summit.

On our way up Lily was very happy to discover this heart shaped stone.

Looking into the morning sunshine towards Brothers Water.

It was a beautiful morning but the clouds brought with them some occasional light showers which, fortunately, we had prepared for. 




What I hadn't prepared myself for was the sight of some beautiful rainbows. We saw at least seven while we were out. After a brief detour we descended the fell along the clear path once again, stopping briefly to watch a red squirrel scratching among the leaves and scurrying along the top of a dry stone wall.

This weekend, I'll be taking things easy. I'm excited to make my Christmas preparations and I'm also thinking of posting a little something here each day during December. It might not be much, perhaps a photograph and a few words, just something positive every day.
Would anyone else like to join me?

J. X





46 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Jill, I'll be counting on you for my vitamin sea fix. X

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  2. Your photos are just gorgeous! I'm American, and I love your beautiful countryside. My husband and I visited there 21 years ago, and I would love to go back. I enjoy reading your posts and seeing your pictures. Thank you for sharing!

    Denise

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    1. Thank you, Denise. I hope you have an opportunity to visit again sometime. X

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  3. This time of year can definitely have a "suppressing" air about it, it is round about now that the all year round permanent fairy lights become a necessity. They bring a little spark of light for those dark moments x
    I am intrigued about your daily festive posting, I might just be persuaded to join in... oh go on why not, count me inπŸ˜ŠπŸŽ…❤

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    1. It has been so dark lately that I think fairy lights could be making an appearance some time this week :)
      The daily posts are just for a bit of fun. I'm looking forward to reading yours. X

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  4. Your photographs are so beautiful! Each one is my favorite until I see the next one! But, I really liked the one with the little river. How wonderful to see so many rainbows! I like the idea of posting daily in December, although, I do post almost daily, rest of the time, too! But, I'd love to read what you'll be posting. :)

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    1. Thank you, Bless. The river was quite full that day. We managed to play pooh sticks, although we had to run very quickly to the other side of the bridge.
      I hope I haven't raised your hopes too much about my daily blogging :) My posts will probably just consist of a photograph and a few words. X

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  5. I've been Googling the names of some of the places you've mentioned. You photos and always are amazing despite autumn fading. You live in a beautiful part of the country and take advantage of it. I'm sure Christmas dinner is going to be great regardless of what it is.

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    1. Thank you, Tania. The countryside is looking much more stark and wintry by the day. X

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  6. I was saddened to hear of your (hopefully in the past) uphill struggle. I was, on the other hand, happy to see your walks. I'm not, of course, sure what your Christmas entails. I hope that it all works out well for you and Lily.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Graham. Now that my hours of work have returned to a more regular pattern I'm feeling much more relaxed. I'm also looking forward to embracing whatever the festive season has to offer this year. X

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  7. Another lovely walk. Red squirrel too quick for a picture?

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    1. It really was a very enjoyable walk. I was too busy watching the squirrel to think about taking a photograph :) X

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  8. I enjoyed your photos - the fifth one down of the water and the sixth one down I particularly enjoyed with the different colours on the hills--just stunning.
    I'm in Winnipeg where the terrain is flat, but we do have some stunning scenery, and being able to walk is something I do each day. The lasagna and red wine sounded good to me!! Jean/Winnipeg

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    1. Thank you, Jean. I think those are the two photographs which have captured the last of the autumn colours.
      One time I'll get my lasagne :) Perhaps I could make it for New Year instead. X

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  9. Jules, You have summed up my life perfectly too. I have been asleep on the sofa before 8pm every night! I always find when you see something as amazing as the herd of red deer, the photo NEVER does it justice! Looking forward to your December posts.

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    1. It's that time of year isn't it, but I feel much more relaxed knowing I'll only be working my contracted hours from now on.
      I've just found out that the deer we saw are the oldest native red deer herd in England. X

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  10. I think we all need a Natural Health Service this year and I for one will be glad to see the back of 2020. You're very fortunate to have such beautiful walks to enjoy. I hope your Christmas preparations go well for you. I'll look forward to seeing a December post a day here on your blog but sorry I can't promise to do the same as sadly I spend much of my time slumped on the sofa.

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    1. I really hope 2021 will be much kinder to you and your family, Eileen. X

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  11. It tends to throw everything out when your routine changes so I hope your work hours settle down now in the run up to Christmas, no one likes to be at sixes and sevens at this time of year. Such beautiful photos and the rainbow ones are stunning.

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    1. Thank you, Jo. I'm already feeling much more relaxed. X

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  12. Sounds like a lovely plan. Will try and do blogdecember too if I can. Oh the light in your photos is beautiful and all those rainbows. We are lucky to be able to walk in the countryside. It makes all the difference. Hope you have a restful weekend. B x

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    1. I'm looking forward to your posts now, Barbara. I just thought it might be a bit of fun to do. The more the merrier. X

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  13. How lovely, the scenery is always stunning in your part of the world no matter what the season, those rainbows look amazing. It took me until I was 60 to stop the Christmas madness, I said that's it I'm doing it no more and what a relief it was, it's now 8 years later and I've gone even further no presents either for the past 3 years apart from some little handmade somethings for my friends, my family are happy because it means they don't have to worry about what to buy everyone. Have a lovely weekend.x

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    1. In recent years I've cut back on a lot of present buying, only gifting to my immediate family now. It had been getting silly, so I put my foot down and I can't tell you what a relief it was. X

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  14. I'm sorry to hear of your struggles, I hope that wonderful walk did you good and lifted your spirits, scrolling through them was a joy.
    We've not bothered with Xmas for years but in recent times have gone for a Xmas day curry with our friends. This year it'll probably be a bowl of noodles and a long walk! xxx

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    1. Walking always lifts my spirits, Vix.
      Christmas Day curry sounds good. The tradition in this house is Boxing Day Biryani. X

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  15. Breathtaking photos Jules...yes I think I’m up for a little daily posting...something to keep us going through the darkness of Winter in these dark times. x

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    1. Thank you, Jackie. Yes, my thoughts exactly. A bit of joy each day. X

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  16. I've been campaigning for lasagne and red wine for Christmas dinner, no success. When I grew up, we never had fancy Christmas meals, a bowl of spaghetti was not unusual, which was just fine. My British family cannot imagine a Christmas with a traditional meal and I am outnumbered. I hope a regular working pattern will help you feel more balanced. That, and more beautiful walks! Have a good week x

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    1. Thank you, Christina. My main objection to a traditional Christmas Dinner is that I never usually eat a roast :) Instead I'll look forward to my Boxing Day Biryani. X

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  17. "Natural Health Service" is a brilliant way of describing the healing powers of the countryside and even if I can't get out in it myself, your glorious photos lift my spirits. Thank you. I've been thinking about posting every day in December, although I've tried it before and fallen by the wayside, but this year is different so maybe I could manage it. Look after yourself. x

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    1. It's a wonderfully apt description isn't it.
      I'm looking forward to your daily posts now. I just thought it might be a bit of fun. X

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  18. Those are gorgeous photos. It sounds like you feel a lot of pressure around Christmas. Maybe other family members can help with the cooking, so it all doesn't all fall on you. My mom started just doing it for she and my dad as she got older. I went and did it for her a few times, too. Lasagna sound wonderful to me. Take care of yourself.

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    1. I used to feel pressure around Christmas but since I put my foot down regarding unnecessary gift buying it has been a huge relief. My only real objection to the traditional Christmas Dinner is that it isn't something I would usually eat :)

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  19. Love the rainbows. Look forward to your posts! X

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    1. Thank you, Shazza. I'd never seen as many rainbows in one day before. X

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  20. I always love seeing your photos. 7 rainbows in one day!

    That heart shaped stone is beautiful.
    Hope you have a wonderful week, Jules.

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    1. The stone is cute isn't it. Lily is great at noticing such things. X

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  21. Your photos are always excellent but my favourite this time is the view overlooking Ulleswater, it's a great shot :)

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  22. Your photographs are wonderful, I had to show Eddie too (he enjoyed them).
    You live in such a wonderful part of the UK.
    That stone that Lily found is lovely isn't it - well spotted.

    Enjoy your days and have a wonderful December.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I'm always amazed at the things she manages to spot on our walks. It was Lily who noticed the squirrel. X

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  23. YES! Please please post, it would be wonderful. So sorry to read you have had some difficult weeks Jules, sending hugs. Thanks for popping over as you know I daily blog, I love it but it does take up time, again sending love xxx

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    1. I'm looking forward to reading your daily posts again, Selma. I love to read of your joy for this time of year. X

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