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| Chinese lanterns beginning to glow |
Nobody on the road
nobody on the beach
I feel it in the air
the summer's out of reach
Empty lake, empty streets,
the sun goes down alone
Don Henley, The Boys of Summer
We had some glorious weeks of summer, but the air has turned and the Autumn wind has begun to pull her amber bejewelled blanket over the land. The dew is heavier in mornings and it is dark before we have dinner. The glow of Chinese Lanterns has appeared between the foliage of summer flowers. Summer is gone.
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| Butterfly nectar |
We watched the last Butterflies taking nectar from our Buddleia bushes. Some only visit us here in England, they cannot survive the winters and die at summer's end. The Bees too have gone down in numbers, it seems silent without their gentle buzzing. The Swifts left us last month, House Martins and Swallows struggle on through the rainy colder days with their last broods before their farewell gathering and journey to South Africa.
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| Our tiny Dragons are leaving the pond to chose stones for hibernation. |
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| Mrs Black soaks up the last of the sunshine |
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| This years Hollyhocks were glorious |
And us? We begin to gather our woollens, light the lamps and get out the books we plan to read in our winter nests.
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| Toast |
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| Toast website HERE: |
Yes, summer really is gone! The toast catalogue really offers some great pieces, love that woolen coat!
ReplyDeleteIt would so suit you too! Lots of very tempting items I think. x
DeleteNoooo! The weatherman just said tomorrow may reach the heady heights of 22! There's bees buzzing around my petunias, the Magnolia is still blooming and my strawberries are still surprising me. I'm the eternal optimist, I can't bear winter! x
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Can see you in your festival vibe, eternal summer babe. x
DeleteAh Minerva, here down south Autumn beckons fast. Everything is wet with dew and the bees have flown, only to gather at my lavender bush for the last bit of nectar. Love the photo of your cottage front door, so pretty with the tall hollyhocks. My TOAST brochure arrived this week too, I love the magic they weave with their stories and beautiful clothing, makes me want to take a long walk in the woods all dressed up in Autumnal colours and then walk swiftly back for a hot cup of tea! Have a lovely week! I can see the candles flickering....Sharon xx
ReplyDeleteSharon, Autumn does seem to come early here, but I love it. That is sadly not our cottage, it is the local forge which still operates today in the same family. Enjoy your candlelight! x
Deletesummer goes strong where i live. hopefully, fall will arrive sometime around Halloween. meanwhile, i will enjoy your Autumn and that beautiful catalog!
ReplyDeleteox
Snap, You have long summers, so lucky! x
DeleteI always miss the hummingbirds upon their departure .
ReplyDeleteThe adult males left a few weeks ago .
The females and immature males have dwindled to very few and will all leave by the weeks end according to record .
This post made me feel rather cozy really, I do adore Fall !
The Toast website is quite yummy I will be exploring it more in depth, most certainly !
Oh you are so blessed to have Hummingbirds, how I miss them. x
DeleteUrg, I must be doing something wrong. My comment is gone again. I am not sure how I could manage to do that so many times at your blog. Perhaps Endora is doing it!
ReplyDeleteHappy autumn! Apples, pears mushrooms and nuts are in season. I love them all! : ) Your hollyhocks are wonderful! : )
Midori, Endora is naughty isn't she? I cannot imagine why you keep getting kidnapped by the spam. I will try to fix your comments. Thank you for stopping by again. x
DeleteAh, autumn is finally arriving somewhere! I get great catalogs showing wonderful woolens, etc. But here in San Diego, it was in the 90s F...that is anywhere from 33-35 C.
ReplyDeleteBreathe in the cool crisp autumn air for me.
I have relatives in San Diego and when we visit for Thanksgiving it always seems so odd to to have snow. But being able to walk by the sea in sunshine and Fall light is divine. x
DeleteWhat a gorgeous array of photos evoking this time of transition. The chinese lanterns are amazing (as are the holly hocks)! Mrs. Black
ReplyDeletelack looks like a cat we used to have named Lilac (my son named her when he was four).
I envy those of you who get Toast!
p.s. love your header!
ReplyDelete