Autumn nuts and berries at Kedleston

Early October saw some lovely weather, and of course I wanted to be out and about making the most of it.

After my disappointing trip to Shipley I wanted to attempt a more gentle uphill stroll, so headed to Kedleston and the start of the Short Walk. 

I didn't want to try the full walk as the downhill section across the inner park is quite steep and my ankles like coming downhill more than they like going up. I set my sights instead on reaching this viewpoint which looks over the surrounding countryside, taking a rest there, then returning the same way. It was considerably easier than the hill at Shipley, and I felt I could have carried on for further but decided it was better to not try too hard. 

This is always an interesting short walk with generally something new to be seen - from flowers in spring to nuts and berries in autumn. The trees were still green but conkers and beechmast were falling, and I picked a few up to admire (but left them for the squirrels).

The smaller shrubs seem very full of berries this year - hawthorns, rosehips, holly, and pyracantha - which supposedly forecasts a harsh winter.

Now the weather has changed and dropped colder I'll have to return and see the trees in their autumn finery.

 

Snowdrops, Frost, but no Snow

January's been for the main part quite mild. At Shipley Park last weekend the snowdrops were already in flower, and those in my garden ready to follow ... then Wednesday night the temperature plummeted to minus4, and remained low all Thursday. At least we didn't have snow.













The snowdrops closed their petals, the daffodils drooped, and frost worked its magic on everything else, from rosemary to spiders' webs

Rowan berries gave a brief pop of colour to the scene






and the tattered remains of honesty seedpods were transformed into ethereal lace