Lately

It seems ages since I last wrote a post.  Time seems to have rushed by with medical appointments. eye tests, dental check ups, flu jabs and etc taking up most of the days in one way ot another.   

I'm still having problems leaving comments. The blogs I can't comment on recently are:  A Rich Tapestry, Linden Grove, Our Small Corner and Sal's Snippets. Coastal Ripples and Crimson Kettle I seem to be able to leave an anonymous comment with although sometimes I get an ' error cannot publish' message on those.  I've tried in many different ways including changing browser but no luck so far. 

We popped up to the Peak Wildlife Park a couple of weeks ago to see the Red Squirrels again.  There were three males in the compound this time.

We also had a morning in Leek where we mooched around the shops and market and stopped for very artistic coffees at the 'Live, Love Loaf' bakery and cafe.

I love the small independent shops in Leek.  Especially the one below.

It only opens a few days a week but sells stock that is British made or is Fairtrade and ethically produced.

They concentrate on home and garden but items reflect the owner's love of nature and wildlife.

Meanwhile in Trentham Gardens the shopping village is looking Autumnal.

All the shops have little creatures and pumpkins painted on the windows ready for Halloween.

In the gardens it's fungi time.

There's lots of it too.

At home I've made a small nature table.

The Horse Chestnut tree at the top of nextdoor's garden has been covered and the grey squirrels have been collecting the conkers and burying them all over the garden.  In the lawn and in the plant pots too.  

Meanwhile  part of the holly hedge at the top of the garden is covered in red berries.

Does this herald a cold winter perhaps? Today it is warm and sunny but tomorrow we are to be visited by Storm Babet.  There is so much in the garden still to tidy but it will be too wet for a while.

All for now.