Autumn Ramblings

November 6, 2012

So, the evenings have drawn in, half term is over and the palpable buzz of Christmas is in the air (for those with children, for sure), yes – it’s Autumn, very nearly Winter in fact and the landscape, like our outdoor clothing, is a-changing. 

I’m most definitely a Spring/Summer sort of person – the buds, the lengthening days, the warmer rain, the lack of layers, I could go on….. but – there are good things about the colder months.  The leaves, for instance – just take a walk through Belfairs Woods – or any other woods – and be greeted by an amazing display of reddish and golden hues.  Autumn trees in their full glory, with the crispness of fallen leaves underfoot (we’ll overlook the days when it’s more of a slimeness of fallen leaves underfoot – spoils the image!).   I’m afraid my waxing lyrical on the subject of leaves ends there, however, because their beauty is somehow lost when spread all over my drive.  I did purchase one of those leaf vacuums and compresser machines, but rarely make the journey to the shed to extricate it from underneath the pile of my beloved summer paraphernalia, too much spider potential you see.

Now, there is something indisputably welcome with the changing seasons:  dogs are allowed on the beach again, huzzah!   Obviously, from Leigh beach along to Chalkwell, timing of walk to coincide with the tide is essential – hitting the beach when the mud is covered (thus avoiding ‘paws in car’ nightmare) but while there is still enough beach left to get along and back before getting wet feet.  Two hours before high tide or an hour and a half after is pretty much optimum, though as the tide recedes, there is plenty of fun to be had watching the dog splash/pound/doggy paddle from mudbank to mudbank in a futile attempt to catch the gulls.   For some reason, the seawater makes the dog lovely and soft to touch – doesn’t work with humans though, it always makes the boy salty and dry, which makes him sound like a peanut but you know what I mean.  It’s also a welcome  change to walk anywhere without encountering young children with ice creams.  Not that I have anything against young children with, or without, ice creams per se; it’s just that they see spotty dog, hold out their little hands and said spotty dog swipes ice cream.  I’ve learnt to spot child with foodstuff at dog level from a great distance now, saves tears and embarrassment all round.

Aside from dogs on beaches, I love the Christmassy shop window displays appearing now to.  I know that many people hate the early arrival of the commercial Christmas wagon, but it gives some cheer to the grey and dreary November days.  I did find the cracker and tinsel at one restaurant maybe a tad too much in July (‘book early for Christmas’) but overlooked it;  I don’t favour the enforced jolliness of the work Christmas meal anyway – too much potential for disaster……..

So, onward with the final run up to Christmas – probably not a white one, just something drizzly, mild and very English but, hey, that’s never going to look so good on a Christmas card, is it?  I notice that ‘Polar Express’ was shown the weekend just passed, which, being early November, has to be the earliest repeat Christmas film showing I can remember – but it won’t truly be the festive season until ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’ and ‘Miracle on 34^th Street’ (1947 version obligatory) are aired, happy days!  Until then, however, I just comfort myself with the thought of the absolute best thing about Wintertime – no more lawn mowing!!!!!!

Written by: Caroline Knighton