soapdragon Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 The heating has now gone on (tho only twice a day!)the winter weight duvet is down from the loft as are our warmer clothes. I put all the cotton skirts, dresses, trousers and t shirts away this afternoon and laundered the 4.5 duvets for the boys bedrooms, its dark by 8.00pm and it seems like autumn is here . Not sure ifI am happy about this or not...I love autumn but this year there are no soft fruits to pick...all the wild blackberries and plums are non existent due to the weather, the apple crop is so poor and there don't seem to be any fallen leaves to kick and crunch through just yet ! The countdown to Christmas has begun as has the bad weather...wellies and waterproofs ready to go for the next week; is it just me or have I missed the gentle 'slipping into autumn' as I feel its just a headlong rush ! ES had his 8th (going on 40th!!!!!) birthday on 18/9 and my ****th on 13/1; I usually LOVE this time of year but am feeling a bit deflated! Is it just me or have all the seasons just merged into one this year ? Sorry, have just re read this and don't want to come over as a Moaning Minnie but this year feels very different to previous, more defined, seasons! Hey ho......! Still, there is bonfire night and Christmas to look forward to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I have just moved to Wales and the weather has been brilliant this last month though wet today. My bees have discovered that the Welsh authorities have a benevolent view of Himalayan Balsam and are revelling in both nectar and pollen whereas in their previous home in Cumbria they would have long been sulking in the rain. Yesterday we spent a glorious sunny day mowing the wildflower meadow and having a picnic lunch in the orchard,watching Red Kites wheel about overhead looking for disturbed insects and frogs. As the days shorten the mornings have become misty with layers of fog creeping along the contours of the hills, the nights redolent with owl hoots and screechings. I am in London today and the chestnuts are golden and full of conkers in Bushy Park. The Red deer stags are resplendent in new headgear and their breath puffs heavily in the morning light as they begin to gather their harems about them before the annual trysts start. You're right....the fruit is poor but the change in season is rich and startling for me; a promise of times to come. Oh......and the rayburn has been lit and roast dinners can again be enjoyed. Roll on Christmas.......can't wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Although I usually enjoy Autumn and then Winter, the dark mornings are coming as a bit of a shock to me. I'm up at 5am and it's dark, dark, dark I'll get used to it, but it does make getting out of bed a bit harder! Mind you I get to see some lovely sunrises and sunsets on my way to and from work, makes me feel peaceful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I empathise completely. It was the distinct lack of light this morning too that really brings it home. I had to put the bathroom light on for the first time and that's mainly because of the dank grey weather outside. My Rayburn has also been lit and we are using our winter recipes already. Already had two casseroles and a roast. It hasn't stopped raining here which is very sad as the farmers on my road are mid harvest so by the end of the week my car will look like a mud feature. Plus I noticed that one farmer is harvesting sugar beet, now I'm no expert but I'm sure that's usually done in December, I wonder what that indicates.... I will have to ask one of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Lovely sky! Dark and very dreary here too. I have laundered my summer duvet and put it away in the attic until next year, the lighter winter duvet is on now, no heating yet but the stove was roaring away all yesterday with the dogs comatose in front of it. No apples or crab apples on my trees this year but a splendid crop of plums as usual; Phil took some back to his mum, LBB had a bucketful for jam making. There are some left and I'll get them off the tree when the rain stops and freeze them until I have time to do summat with them. Being of Mediterranean extract I'm not one who enjoys the darkness and damp of winter; I don't mind the cold too much so long as it's bright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 My pumpkins are looking like Brussels at the moment so the rain will do them good. First homemade soup to today's lunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Yes, i was eyeing up the homemade veg soup in the freezer - would be lovely with cheese on top and a hunk of homemade bread. I had the rabbit stew on the go in the slow cooker last night so need to eat that first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 It has been dire here for the last 24 hours and looks set to continue for another 6 hours or so yet. It is so dark here this morning and we had the stove lit all day yesterday, it is still quite warm in the lounge this morning so I won't light it again until just before the children get in from school, got plenty of housework to do to keep me warm. OH took down our Union Flag which has been flying all summer, on Saturday morning because of the wind I know what you mean about a sudden drop into autumn, it was however a glorious day here on Saturday and it was hard to believe what was coming, but it did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Back to sunny days on Wednesday though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Can't wait, it's black as night here now and thrashing with rain. The gutter outside one of my office windows is overflowing; it's like living under a waterfall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I can't get warm today, even got the fan heater on under my desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowberry Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I used to think that spring was my favourite time of year, but I love autumn more now. It's the thought of the evenings drawing in, stew, being cosy, watching the birds migrating overhead, jacket potatoes, halloween, more food Aw heck, I think I might have finally grown up. I love the way you have all described autumn. It makes me want to run away to a cosy cottage in the middle of nowhere with a roaring fire (can I have an aga too? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I love the sound of the geese high up as they honk their way to who knows where across the evening sun. We had pheasants born somewhere in the garden and three of the chicks visit under the bird table every morning. One is obviously male and it's been wonderful watching his gradual moult into a more adult plumage. He is more gold than anything else but reds and greens and that brilliant wattle are all peeping through, I can't wait for the final result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I normally love autumn, but this last 24 hours has been very miserable! Grey, wet and dreary here all day today. The heating went on last night and I expect it will be on again tonight. Just enough to take the chill off and then I can wrap up in a blanket on the settee. Had to put my waterproof wax jacket on yesterday and today to walk the dog as it is so wet and cold. It has dried out over the summer and leaking! Tin of wax now ordered to re-proof it as it's going to get a lot of wear if autumn continues in the same vein as summer. Going to cook a chilli for tea tonight and hot chocolate will be going on the shopping list too for warming up after chilly dog walks. Yep, autumn has definitely arrived! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Just got back from circuit training; the wind has dropped and the cloud has lifted quite a bit. No rain for now but the Cherwell is about 4' above its normal level for this time of year - 4 more feet and we'll be on flood warning again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 The Calder is on flood alert , our beck is dangerously high, as late as it is the rain is just easing off after an horrendous day of rain . I have some nice looking pears but not as many as i usually get. The plums made 3 pounds of jam and my soft fruits were rained away weeks ago . My new tarps have arrived and i can see them going up later this week after a deep clean of the run following a week of worming the chooks.......who are busy moulting atm poor things, had no eggs all week due to lots of new feather growth, but the girlies all look well . All i can say is if the winter is as awful as summer has been then i may consider emigrating. Heating not on yet. Winter quilt is on the bed and i have washed my thermals and woolies ready for the cold to come, winter jacket is out too . I'm not ready for the cold yet maybe in another couple of weeks if it will just stop raining. The garden needs a good tidy up too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 We are just experiencing blustery weather but I am thinking of you all facing gales and heavy rain. Keep safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Knitted dress, tights and boots today - brrrrrrr! Our plum tree has done extremely well this year. We only planted it last year but picked 10lb of plums this year! A couple of lb I stewed up to eat with yoghurt, porridge etc but the rest are in the freezer waiting for me to get round to jamming them. Not a single apple on the apple tree though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Nope, no eaters here and only 2 crab apples; the blossom on both got blasted off by the rain Talking of which, the rain has just started again here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 This morning I helped myself to a load of freebie apples from a place I visit for work - it has a beautiful garden out the back with apple trees, and they give the apples away by the bagful when they are ripe. Apple chutney, here we come! The rain has just started again here too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 They're lucky to have any. Lob any spares over this way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 I'll bring you a bag if I come to the lure coursing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 I'll bring you a bag if I come to the lure coursing! OOo, please do if there are any spares... let me know if you'd like any lamb ribs for Tango. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Yes please! Sounds like a fair swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
