November snow

My mother's birthday was in mid-November, and our family tradition expected snow either on the day or very soon after. This year certainly didn't disappoint. 

Late on the 18th, snow started to fall - despite not actually being forecast to do so. By bedtime we'd had quite an appreciable amount fall but I expected it to change to sleet and rain, as forecast.

In the morning though my corner of the world was white over.The trees and lawn were covered in snow, the birdbath smothered, the red poppy bird feeders full.

For a couple of days I stayed home, relatively warm and snug, but once  the pavements and pathways looked clear and safe (even for a person inclined to fall and/or twist ankles) and the sun was shining brightly I headed out. My plan had just been to head over to the playing fields but the day was so lovely I was tempted to add on a walk round our local wood.

There was even a robin looking seasonal.

 

Back home though the winter jasmine continued to flower brightly.

Dunham Massey - autumn and getting ready for Christmas

A recent overnight visit to my daughter in Manchester gave me the opportunity to call in at Dunham Massey on my (not very direct) way home. I've been here in spring and summer but this was my first visit in autumn.

 For November, it was a glorious day, warm enough for sitting in the sun and only a cardigan needed to keep off any chill.

The flowers were mainly over, and some of the trees were starting to look a little bare, but as I expected there were still things to see - berries, the startling white trunks of silver birch, leaves of yellow or bright red, and a few flowers still hanging on.

What I hadn't expected to see was preparations for the Christmas lights events underway. I suppose they have to be put up by someone at some time, but I'd sort of imagined they went up by magic (or Santa's elves) overnight. It certainly gave some idea of the extent of planned illuminations - paths lined with candy canes and gingerbreadmen, a glade filled with snowdrops, nutcracker toy soldiers, archways of stars, and a pair of gigantic deer leading the way to a fairground. I'd love to be able to organise a trip back north to see them. Maybe next year ...

 

Diwali at Kedleston

Kedleston Hall has had ties with India since the early 1900s when the current owner, Lord Curzon, was Viceroy there. The hall still contains a large amount of treasures and artifacts he acquired during his time there, and in recent years the local National Trust have promoted a greater understanding of Indian culture through decorating the hall for Diwali, holding art exhibitions inspired by the collection and music recitals.

As our grandson was staying with us we took him along, and despite an initial reluctance he was interested, and particularly entranced by the light projections. He also loved playing board games - Indian versions of the familiar snakes and ladders, and ludo.

On other days, there'd been diffrent entertainments, including a performance by Tala Tareng, a harp and tabla duo who I've seen before at Kedleston. Unfortunately an event I'd been looking forward to - a recital with Indian flute and tabla - fell victim to a water supply crisis which closed the whole site for several days.

My favourite was this huge rangoli design in the Marble Hall. I couldn't really capture the size of it but the figures at the far end give a clue to scale.

We went along to see last year's Diwali decorations but this year's displays were bigger and better. than before - ceiling projections, hand made flower poms poms and lights everywhere bringing colour and brightness to this dull time of year.

 

October

From walking in Yorkshire to gentler strolls near home, October was an active month. I'm trying to boost my daily step count, and October's sunshine and splendid display of leaves encouraged me to get out and about - even if only round the block. 

The beginning of the month was very busy with a short break in Settle, then 24 hours in Manchester with an Indian music recital one evening and a visit to RHS Bridgewater the next day. Nearer to home I visited Derby Hydrangeas and Elvaston Park.

The good weather continued and although I didn't go 'out out' I spent most mornings walking around the local park or to the shops/post office admiring autumn foliage and kicking up fallen leaves. I'm trying to get my average daily steps up to 4000 but I'm beginning to feel I've left things a little too late in the year. Still my efforts this month raised it to over 3500 so maybe there's hope ...

On a less personal note, the last UK coal-fired power station closed. It was situated at Ratcliffe on Soar and made a notable landmark when travelling along the A453 to my elder daughter's. Apparently it will take years to de-commission and eventually clear the site but when that time comes the area will be totally different. 

At home in the garden the leaves changed and fell but Spring also started to appear with the winter jasmine coming into flower, hopefully to keep brightening its corner throughout winter.