Today’s guest picture is another from our son Tony’s recent holiday. As well as waterfalls and wonderful views, he and Marianne also saw this.
We had the coldest night of the year so far and woke to a frosty scene.
It was chilly but the birds were active. A dunnock looked in soon after breakfast.
The ground was pretty hard but that didn’t discourage a small group of jackdaws from pecking vigorously at the middle lawn.
We left the jackdaws to it and went off to take part in the Remembrance Day service in the church. It was an unusual day for the choir as the hymns were accompanied by the town band and not our organist but we had some rousing hymns to sing so we didn’t mind.
After the service, we watched for a while as wreaths were laid at the war memorial and then headed home.
After a cup of coffee, I went out for a short walk to see how my feet would behave. I was a bit shocked by how sore they were yesterday so I hoped to find out that that was just an aberration…and take in some nice weather at the same time.
It really was a lovely day and the calm state of the Wauchope as it passed under the Kirk Brig shows how lucky we have been here when there has been so much rain not very far away.
I passed the war memorial with its wreaths….
…and some tough minded wild flowers and an interesting stick…
…on my way up to the track at the Stubholm.
The sun made the best of what autumn colour is left…
…and picked out some very red berries on a mature holly tree beside the track.
A little further along, a combination of very yellow leaves and the direct sunshine produced a dazzling display which was a delight to me but which completely threw the processor in my camera which couldn’t cope with it at all.
As my current pocket camera had resisted all entreaties to behave and continued to be very stubborn when it came to taking any pictures at all, I was carrying my old Lumix with me. It is in poor condition and I only use it on cycle trips now. Still, it did its best today even if it couldn’t cope with the leaf/sun combination.
It noted a small crop of fungus on an old log on the ground…
…and a curious flaky growth on a branch above my head. I don’t know whether this is a fungus or a lichen.
And it enjoyed looking back over the town from a vantage point.
I walked along this very autumnal path…
…which took me down to the river bank and back home. My feet behaved very well. This was a relief.
When I got home, I ordered a new camera. It may be possible to live without champagne and caviar, but it is impossible to live without a good quality pocket camera. (The camera on my phone is not great at all unless conditions are perfect.)
After this, I had a little time to watch the birds and was pleased to see that the/a blue tit had visited again…
…and that a mixed bag of finches and sparrows was on the feeder (I had replaced the missing perch).
I didn’t have time for a longer walk, a short bike ride or more bird watching as we went off to Carlisle straight after lunch because we wanted to do some shopping before going to our Carlisle choir.
Our choir conductor has just won a prestigious singing prize in a competition in London so she was in a very cheerful mood. She communicated this cheeriness to us and we had a very enjoyable and progressive practice.
Among the things that I bought on our shopping trip was a swish new feeder for the birds. I have put it out already so I will be very interested to see what they make of it tomorrow. The store where I bought it is having a closing down sale so I got it at an advantageous price.
I didn’t have enough standing around time today to catch a flying bird so this one, which was flying half a second before I took the picture, will have to do as the nearly flying bird of the day.
Loved the pictures of the early morning frost and glad your feet were so much better.
I’m pleased your feet are better today. I was definitely dazzled by the yellow leaves; low-level sunlight emphasises these wonderful autumn colours. Those frosty leaves and flowers are lovely!
I think the rather dirty lens on my old camera had something to do with the dazzle too. 🙂
Nice to see the paths lined with colorful trees. That’s past here now and every morning is a frosty one.
I’m glad the feet cooperated and am glad you found another camera so easily. I always turn it into a very difficult decision.
I think what was on that branch above your head was a crust fungus. They like to grow on the undersides of branches and they look thin and crusty, often curling at the edges when they’re dry.
That certainly sounds like the right name for the fungus. Thank you. I just bought another of the same make avoiding lengthy camera pondering.
Lots of beautiful gold today.
Replacing disappointingly short-lived pocket cams is an ongoing expense in our household. When I upgrade to a newer iPhone, I might be able to rely on its camera for daily photos.
I did think of getting a phone with a swish camera but I don’t think I could cope without a camera.
Wonderful photos of the frosty plants. You are so right about having a good pocket camera. I know I wouldn’t be able to manage without one.
Your autumnal pictures are beautiful.
A beautiful autumn day helps. 🙂
A lovely journey with you today, what a pretty town you live near.
We live right in the middle of the town whihc is small enough to be sometimes called a village by people who know no better. It is small enough that getting out of town is a very quick business.
Im also glad your feet behaved today. Your autumnal walk was beautiful
The sun took the chill off the day so it was very pleasant strolling around.
Enjoyed the autumnal colours in your walk
Congratulations to your choir conductor. I hope your feet stood up well. I liked the town picture.
My feet are doing OK. Thank you.
The trails look beautiful in the angled autumn light, and I am glad your feet are feeling better.
I loved that frost photo panel. Jack Frost paints a beautiful picture. Our mornings here are back to well above freezing, with thick silver-grey mists. I have been helping a neighbor with digging a trench for an electrical wire the last few days, and appreciate the warmer weather.
Congratulations to your choir director.
Trench digging should keep you warm at any time of year. We have had a very mist free autumn this year for some reason.
Hat and outer jacket were removed early on. 🙂
A sunset in leaves down your pretty lane- just the perfect autumn picture. It will be interesting to hear how your new camera performs as it charts all the winter weather conditions that are coming your way! Love the icy sparkles on the plants. Such a beautiful war memorial with the three silver birches perfectly placed as a backing.
I shall be wrapping the new camera in cotton wool so carefully that I may not take it out at all!
Your camera did a great job of those bright red holly berries. I remember our robins from a previous home getting quite tipsy from eating them.