Thursday 11 November 2021

November

 

The grey and gloomy weather has returned once again. Not so much pouring with rain but the damp drizzly kind that turns my already unruly hair into something that almost needs it's own postal address. I have an ongoing battle of wills with my curls, one which I don't expect I will ever win, and most definitely not at the first sign of any rain. I can only ever dream of hair that sits beautifully and requires minimal effort to style each morning. I suppose if nothing else, it does at least help me to appreciate the colder days when I can just keep most of it under control beneath a woolly hat.

And it was cold here on Bonfire Night. I had a lovely evening. All the girls were here and after 'feasting' on some pizza we headed out into the garden, where we made a fire in the chiminea. The slightly worse-for-wear pumpkins were lit, marshmallows got toasted and we made the most of watching  fireworks being set off nearby.  We also enjoyed some warming Winter Spice cordial, which might just have contained a rather generous glug of red wine. Oh, and there were some sparklers as well! Thanks to the very generous lady in front of me at the supermarket, who insisted we share the very last four packets between us. I was very touched. People can be so kind.


The following day we went for a walk in the woods with the local Wildlife Trust group. It had been a while since we enjoyed one of their sessions, dates initially clashing with other activities, then the meet-ups were put on hold because of the restrictions, so you can imagine how lovely it felt to see everyone again. It is a small, friendly group and we were soon chatting away as we walked along - usually about the children, isn't that often the way. The day had been forecast to be wet and windy and we had arrived prepared in our waterproofs, but fortunately the worst of the weather held off until we had finished our walk, even leaving enough time for a play on the rope swings and enjoy a drink of hot chocolate beneath the trees. I also took along some of my home made treacle toffee to share.





The woodland floor was a thick carpet of golden leaves and in some places it became quite tricky to figure out the direction of the path. We had a lot of fun trying to catch the leaves being blown from the trees, but the blustery wind meant they were travelling much too fast for us on this occasion. Perhaps we should count the one that landed slap bang in the middle of Lily's hot chocolate. She wasn't very impressed :)

At home, I feel like I could use another week off to catch up with everything that I've fallen behind with recently. Earlier this week I did, at least, manage to finally clear the wild flowers from the garden and ensure the bird feeder was thoroughly cleaned and filled, in anticipation of receiving lots of visitors over the colder months. I also managed to sweep all the leaves  from the porch, although I'm sure it will have filled up again by the end of the week. 🍂🍂🍂

J. X

48 comments:

  1. It's the same here, dull drizzly days at the moment. The leaves seem to be losing their leaves very quickly now, the pathways where we walk are covered in them too. I love a walk in the woods at any time but especially at this time of year, there's so much to see and it constantly changes, and Archie loves to run through the fallen leaves, he's so funny to watch. I hope Lily managed to still enjoy her hot chocolate.

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    1. The days have just been so gloomy, Jo. I'm just grateful the autumn leaves add a bit of colour to my walks. X

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  2. Your walk through the fallen leaves looks wonderful and I hope Lily still enjoyed her hot chocolate. I'd happily swap hair with you Jules. Dreaming of hair that sits beautifully and requires minimal effort just never happened for me. I'm still hanging on to my chemo curls and avoiding going to the hairdressers although the top is growing straight now :-(

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    1. Haha! Lily had no intention of drinking the hot chocolate after that.
      I'm glad your hair is continuing to grow well. X

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  3. I've walked through our woods several times recently and most of the leaves seem to have been blown away. The Trust that own the Stormoway Castle Grounds had decided to clear all the gravel paths of leaves lest, presumably, someone should slip and sue them. I used to love being in Childwall Woods (near when I was born) shuffling my feet through the oak leaves searching for acorns. I bet children don't make acorn people and animals nowadays. They wouldn't be sophisticated enough.

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    1. Quite a few of us stumbled in the woods - there was a detour down a rather steep hill - but the path was so thick with leaves that, fortunately, no one was hurt.
      I haven't seen acorn people in years. Any acorns we have collected on our walks have been planted and we now have several oak saplings in the garden. X

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  4. The description of your hair needing its own postal address made me laugh Jules. Although my hair is naturally wavy it doesn't curl without a bit of help so I'd love it if I didn't have to curl it myself.

    The weather is damp and drizzly here too though we did have a couple of lovely sunny days last week. Your autumn walk looks lovely and I hope Lily still managed to enjoy her hot chocolate once the leaf was removed :)

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    1. It probably doesn't help that my hair is quite long - I had rather hoped the extra length would help weigh it down :)
      Lily was quite put out by the leaf landing in her hot chocolate and she refused to drink it after that. X

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  5. Those golden leaves are beautiful. We have a patch of wood that is full of beech trees, producing a particularly golden brown leaf carpet.

    I know how you feel about your hair, mine is also prone to go mad in when it is damp outside. Well, it used to. Now I have a very (very) short hair cut. Now I miss having hair to covering my ears though... never quite happy!

    Glad you enjoyed a lovely bonfire night xx

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    1. Beech leaves are lovely and bright aren't they. They look just as beautiful in spring when they are a vibrant shade of green. X

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  6. Sounds like you’re battling leaf fall like us. Very good for the garden as a leaf mulch though.Jean

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    1. I will be sure to put some more leaves on the compost next time I sweep out the porch. X

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  7. Dry and pleasant here today but we have had our share of drizzle.. what beautiful photos of the woodland those leaves look so beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Chris. I had rather hoped we might enjoy some sunnier autumn weather. X

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  8. Great November views! Winter is approaching and bringing with it rain, storms and gloomy skies. Hopefully, not illness.
    Hair is a problem with every woman. Those with curly hair envy those with straight hair and vice-versa. I've reached the age when I don't care. The main thing is to still have this head asset.

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    1. You are absolutely right. I appreciate that I have thick, strong hair, just less so on the days that it resembles wire wool :)

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  9. Looks like just the place for a good old stomp...though not today...did enough stomping around at work...have come home, lit the fire...and chill!! x

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    1. Stomping, falling over, kicking leaves. It was all good fun. X

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  10. -smile- N0 0ne is ever allowed to complain about curly hair!!! -smile-

    Certainly, not around me!!!!

    Remember those who would love to have curl to their hair.

    And have pity on us.

    GRinnnnnnnnn....

    🍁🍁🍁

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    1. I will try and remember this when I have to carefully comb out any knots :)

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  11. We had a lovely walk down to the park with little Freddie only to discover the swings have been removed so had to walk over to the main park. The leaves were all soggy though that did which was disappointing. He is only quite tiny but walked almost 4 miles by the time we got home as he refused to ride in his pushchair!
    I always wanted curly hair!

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    1. It's sounds like little Freddie is a going to keep you busy. I hope he got chance to have a play on the swings after all that walking. X

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  12. It sounds like a wonderful few days, catching up with pals and enjoying nature!
    Damp and drizzly is the order of the day here, too - it was fabulous to indulge in some daytime drinking and set the world to rights over a beer or two yesterday so much so that I'm intending to do the same again tomorrow! xxx

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    1. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed some daytime drinking. It might take a while to set the world to rights, so you should keep it up :)

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  13. Yes the leaves where I work have all suddenly leapt off the trees and covered the lawns with a thick luscious orangey-gold and brown crunchy carpet!

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    1. Disappointingly, they are still soggy rather than crunchy here. X

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  14. Sounds like you enjoyed your walk and beautiful photos, as always. My daughter is another person whose hair could have its own postal address! :D I'm glad that you were able to enjoy toasting some marshmallows! I was sadly lacking some, the other day! :D

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    1. At work, my hair spends so much time being tied back that I often think it would be easier to just have it cut short. X

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  15. Your walks look lovely, despite the gloom and damp.

    I would love curly hair . . . there were perms in the 80's 😩

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    1. That was brave. I remember the smell of perming solution :) X

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  16. Happy sigh. I always love looking at your beautiful photos. Just walking in that landscape must be restorative. Have a good weekend. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip. Xx

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  17. Lovely photographs from your walk ...
    We've had some mizzly days here and the Autumn leaves have certainly been falling.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. Sunny days have been far too few lately. X

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  18. I've seen very similar coppery crunchy leaves on my walks. Fab about the sparklers! Sounds like a good November so far. :)

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    1. It was such a kind gesture to share the sparklers. All the other stores had sold out. X

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  19. Hi,Good to see you posting and getting out a bit.I love your blog and your photos,I always feel calm and snuggly and huggee.It's so good to get out even in mizzy weather.I know,it always makes me feel a lot better when I'v been out with Basil ( the collie ) and he loves it too.I LOVE looking at the beautiful scenery here.Love wellie walks,through puddles and leaves.Huggles

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    1. Walking really helps me to relax. I don't really feel up to it this morning but I know I will feel much better once I'm out. I miss walking with a dog. X

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  20. The colours are certainly turning now aren't they. Woodland walks are very pleasant in Shropshire at the moment with this crazy mild weather. Jo x

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    1. The trees are looking beautiful just now, although it won't be long before they are completely bare. There is a large beech tree at the back of the house and when the sun shines (occasionally) it looks almost alight. X

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  21. Your walk sounds lovely, it's always great to walk with a group of like minded people and have a natter along the way. Your description of your hair made me laugh I can relate to a certain degree, my hair is kinky in places but not in a uniform way and I can look quite witch like if caught in the rain haha. Beautiful Autumn photos have a peaceful Sunday. xx

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    1. I really enjoyed the company, it made a nice to change to be walking in a small group.
      My hair is behaving itself today - I straightened it this morning :)

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  22. So lovely to spend time walking with friends again in such wonderful surroundings.

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    1. It was a really enjoyable morning, Beverley. X

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  23. I love the scent of the woodlands and earth..especially at this time of year.

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    1. I find it very grounding, if you'll pardon the pun :)

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