We needed a cheerful guest photo on a very gloomy day here, so this picture of Bonny Prince Charlie ignoring the autumn colour was just the thing. It was taken by my brother Andrew in Derby.
It was a deeply yday in Langholm. Although it started dry, the rain came on at coffee time and it was still going when darkness fell.
Our morning was brightened by the overlapping arrivals of Sandy and Margaret for coffee, both of them in very good form.
We went shopping at the Co-op after they left, and that managed to fill up the morning for us.
I did look at the birds after coffee, but once again there weren’t many about. We do have a regular set of blue tits visiting us just now . . .
. . .and a robin is always a welcome visitor.
Two dunnocks were chasing each other round the garden with great vigour. In the end, one flew off, and the other did some grazing under the feeder.
Some birds would rather start an argument than use a spare perch as this chaffinch proved. This was probably a twitter storm.
After lunch, we armed ourselves with waterproof footwear and large umbrellas, and went for a walk. The rain was persistent but light, so we pottered along cheerfully enough.
They was a large gang of people on the Kilngreen doing noisy works connected with installing the new electric car charging point there. As a result, Mr Grumpy was lurking quietly on the other side of the bridge, away from all the fuss.
The remains of last night’s bonfire were still smouldering gently beside the river, but it had burnt away most neatly.
It was not a day to lift your eyes to the hills . . .
. . . so we walked up past the Estate Offices and took the track along the top of the wood along to the North Lodge.
There was some colour in the trees . . .
. . . but the track on the other side of those trees was more green than brown when we got to it.
It had been a good year for fungus, and in places there was plenty to see as we went along.
We got as far as the North Lodge . . .
. . . and weren’t tempted top extend our walk any further. We turned back and walked round the Pheasant Hatchery to get to the Duchess Bridge and the track back to town.
The day had a sort of gloomy majesty about it that made it visually interesting in spite of the rain . . .
. . . and we liked the contrast between the trees in the foreground and the spruces and larches on the hillside beyond them.
I spotted some script lichen on a tree beside the track . . .
. . . and the eagle eyed Mrs Tootlepedal spotted some curious fungus once we had crossed the Duchess Bridge. At least, I assume it is a fungus.
There was no shortage of autumn leaves, both underfoot and on every side.
Mrs Tootlepedal told me that we had some fungus in our own garden, so when we got back, I went to look for it. It was past its best but still quite impressive. The biggest one was about the size of a tennis ball.
Luckily I had bought some iced finger buns in the morning, and they went down very well with a cup of tea when we got home.
It was soon dark, so I settled down to some more recorder music cataloguing before the regular evening Zoom with my siblings. I did some newspaper indexing for the Archive Group too.
Dark nights may not be any good for walking or cycling, but they do help you to do the things that you ought to have been doing when you were out walking and cycling.
A chaffinch, caught just before it landed, is the flying bird of the day today.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
Bravo for the new charging station!
Yes, we will be pleased when it is finished. It should encourage visitors.
I like the misty views. I was just thinking that I’d like to see some here but it’s been sunny and warm.
The fungus looks like candlestick fungus (Xylaria hypoxylon) which is also called candlesnuff fungus. It’s one I’ve been hoping to find.
The rain was perfect after such a large bonfire, I would think.
I like your fungus suggestion but I am not entirely convinced as they often seem to have bifurcated tops.
They are also called staghorn fungus because sometimes they look just like antlers, so they aren’t always just a single fruit body.
After more consideration, I think you are right
I enjoyed the misty autumn photos, and especially loved your bird feeder commentary. Those beautiful golden larches among the dark forms conifers make an exceptional composition.
It has been a sunny day here on this coast, too, though the reports say rain again tomorrow.
We have got an autumn day on the cards, quiet and misty.
Your narrative shows that you are in top form too. The misty scenery look peaceful and pretty.
It certainly was very quiet once we had got past the workmen on the Kilngreen which made the walk more satisfactory.
‘Something accomplished, something done’, you certainly made the most od a dull day. Loved your Robin portrait.
It is clear that for this walk waterproof footwear and clothing was desirable 🙂
Essential.
Fine pictures of the robin and Mr G.
You managed to spot many things of interest along your misty walk – including some unexpected writing.
It all looks very moody and mysterious!
It was surprisingly uplifting on our walk. There was a cathedral element to the surroundings in the mist.
Some good grey day shots all the same
We are never short of scenery here 🙂
Handsome Robin! Even Mr Grumpy is quite dashing in his habitat!!
He wouldn’t be standing there today as the river has gone up again.
I love your Robin photo. The atmospheric misty landscape photos are an endorsement for going out in the rain. It is difficult trying to get used to the dark settling in so quickly: I admire your industriousness.
If I don’t get out, I get fatter so it is self preservation.
Very autumnal, misty and beautiful photos. It’s a good year for fungus…all shapes and sizes!
Even I notice them this year.
How many ports will the charging station have available, and how long does it take to charge a car. I have seen one such station at a Tesco car park in Swansea, with two ports, but understand it takes an hour plus to recharge a vehicle? Presumably, technology needs to advance a good deal before we can use them as we do a petrol station.
That is true. There seem to be four chargers, one a rapid charger. You shouldn’t need to use a roadside charger to fill up your battery from zero but just to top up as you go along. Charging will improve as demand increases.
Hope so
You are witty with the Twitter storm and the Bonny prince ignoring the trees.
Thank you.