Thursday 27 October 2016

Mid Autumn Catch Up

Hello Friends!

That most delicious time of year is upon my corner of the Shire once again. You know of what I speak ~~~ Autumn, my most favoured time of year, and now nearly half way through. So much has happened since I last wrote, so today I'll quickly share a few of my recent photographs as there is really far too much to recap. I can scarce believe it is a month and then some since I last journalled here ~~~ I have been sidetracked but manage today to share some photographs taken two weeks ago, although my words are sparse today ~~~

Summer passed us by again, and I know many of you are quite envious of the cooler weather that meant I have had the heating on at some point most days through July while you and your ice creams melted in the sweltering, scorching sun. Of course, I've now got the heating bill to prove it! A few weeks ago, we actually broke through the 70 degree barrier! It came as a shock to the system, three whole days in a row of 80 degrees and higher, but then we dropped back to our typical mid~60's.

The light at this time of year takes on a quality of gentle softness as the sun slips slowly lower in the sky with each passing day.  I do not get out as much as I would like, but when I do, you know my camera goes too, so here are some, quite a few, photographs I've taken when I've had the chance to go for a walk along the highways and byways surrounding my home ~~~

A well camouflaged trout in the shallows

high in the horse chestnut tree sit unripened conkers waiting to fall

the view from Pen Lan across the valley to the village

I think he might be stuck ~ he's torn up the road for sure!

So lush and verdant it almost looks like a tropical valley

down the hill and into the valley below

so little rain, the stream is nearly dry

gulls paddling on the seashore's edge

old stone cottages with traditional lime wash bask in late autumn sunshine

the cathedral tower rising up from it's hiding place in the hidden valley

a macro photo of sycamore "helicopters" with a tiny spider
a sprig of helicopters waiting to fly

horse chestnut leaf 

a magical new addition to the once ordinary railings at the Bishop's Palace

beautiful details

I love these magical mushrooms

cathedral view

a row of pretty traditional stone cottages

if the folk lore holds true, red berries signal a hard winter ahead

a calm and shady spot along the stream

sweet chestnuts fall along the wayside

I'm sure the squirrels will be along soon

looking out across the coast to the south west
a medieval chapel in ruins in an ancient field 

a tanker, like a ghost ship, sits across the misty bay

all the way down at Fulmar Cove

ruined medieval chapel
I often sit on the Welsh~American slate seat and think of my friends Across The Pond


A big old beetle scurries across the path to the cool shelter of the grassy verge

Blackberries ripen on the vines
Nature's sculptures ~ trees carved into shape by the prevailing west winds
So, dear friends, thank you for coming with me, I have enjoyed your company on our happy little stroll through the sunny byways and lanes ~ wasn't it fun? It is getting colder now each day and October is nearly spent ~ my gloves and scarves are waiting in the wings {there is always room for one more lovely scarf and pair of gloves?} Next time we'll bring along a Thermos of hot chocolate and a biscuit to nibble. My autumn decorations are up, the special favourite mugs are now in use, and hot chocolate is back on the hot drinks list in my kitchen.  I always put a tiny pinch of chilli powder in my hot chocolate, just to give it a little kick, they do compliment each other so very well.

Until next time
~~~Deborah xoxo

23 comments:

  1. Lovely photos and words as usual, I have missed your blog posts, x

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    1. Thank you. I just don't know where the days go and suddenly I've not written for weeks and weeks!

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  2. Oh Deb, this was a lovely stroll through your magical blue skied village. You know how much I love your beautiful area. The coastal views are truly breathtaking! I feel that longing that visits me often to return. The Bishops Palace gate is magical indeed with its spider web and charming mushrooms. The cathedral tower rising from the valley is a wonderful shot! There is so much magic here today. I enjoyed my visit very much, dear Deb. Happy evening to you! xoxo ♥

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen. Such kind words. One day you must surely visit here? The gate was such a surprise to discover ~ how I would love something similar on my drive ~ just imagine it! xoxo

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  3. I'll be getting out bonnet, snood and photography gloves and I've bought two new fleeces.

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    1. by all accounts we are going to need them this coming winter!

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  4. OH MY Miss Deborah!!!
    I so very much enjoyed every image! Thank you for sharing this special lovely tour and taking us along! XXX OOO Much warmth and blessings, Linnie Lou

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    1. Linnie Lou! Hello and thank you; I am so happy you came along and bringing the pups too! xoxo

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  5. Oh goodness, such a marvelous collection! Love Bishop's gate, the Welsh-American bench, the sweetly painted cottages.... (When we were in Wales recently, hubby and I actually did a little "it can't hurt to just look" peeking into long-term vacation rentals and homes for sale!!) jen

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    1. Isn't that gate something? It sounds as if you've been bitten by the Welsh bug? Deb xo

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  6. Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing. I'm puzzling how we have been to so many places in Wales but never to the Cathedral.
    Don't stay away from Blogland so long next time! :-)

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    1. Sounds like a reason to plan another visit when you are able!
      Truthfully, I don't know where the time goes to. Maybe I should do shorter blogs more often instead?

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  7. Delightful photos of Autumn Deborah! But don't mention squirrels to me ... they have totally stripped our walnut tree of the nuts. OK, I don't mind sharing them with the squirrels, it's their only source of good food in the autumn/winter while we troll off to Waitrose and Lidl, but not to leave us any is mean! I mean totally stripped, not even any husks left! I have mentioned the walnut tree in our garden on my own blog, and said how we were looking forward to a nut crop ... not any more, we're not!
    Margaret P

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    1. That is a shame. Sadly, our wildlife doesn't know the difference. I lost all my sunflowers one year, to just one squirrel who kept coming back. Nothing for me, nothing for the bird. Thank goodness they don't shop in the supermarkets!

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  8. Your photos are fabulous! It's so beautiful there; I need to visit Wales. The slate bench is lovely and, probably, warm in the sun. Especially I like the chapel ruins; I've always wanted a chapel on my property...maybe next time.
    So glad you're back...you've been missed.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, you probably do need to visit Wales. Remember, I only share just one tiny corner of it, there is so much more to see, and, for a small country such diversity too.

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  9. You have captured some wonderful scenery with your artist's eye with the help of your camera!

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  10. I wrote a comment - did you get it? Sometimes Blogger and Wordpress don't seem to get on!

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    1. Oh, dear, no I didn't. This is the only one from you. I agree, they don't get on, which is why I've kept my Wordpress account open solely for reading and commenting purposes.

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    2. Ok - so here is something like what I said - I will be coming your way soon! so perhaps we can take a flask of chilli choc and sit on that bench together with scarves, mittens and some crochet!!! I'll email to let you dates. xx

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    3. Yippee! Yes, I did get your message, haven't had time to reply properly. This sounds very much like a plan! Chilli chocolate and maybe some Welsh cakes or Bara Brith?

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    4. Either or both! Yum Yum! First frost here this morning.

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