A Definite Autumnal Feel

There is a definite feeling of Autumn in the air.  Chillier mornings, quickly darkening evenings, gorgeous skies, brisk winds tossing and turning fallen leaves, trees turning gold and bronze.

We walked in Trentham Gardens on Wednesday, as we set out around the lake there was damp in the air.  It took a while to clear and then the sun appeared for what seemed like the first time in ages.

The walk was mostly fungi spotting which is always a fun and interesting thing to do.

I'm not sure what they all are but I know that the red ones are Fly Agaric toadstools and the round ones are puff balls.  In the bottom photo the fungi looks a bit like poached eggs.

 

I recently received a most wonderful gift.  A dear friend often sends me links to the Guardian Country Diary, especially if the notes are about places we know or animals and birds we love.  They are always a joy to read.

 

A couple of days ago there was a knock at the door and the postwoman stood there with a parcel for me.  It was quite funny as the pharmacy delivery man was standing at the side of her with medication so two parcels together. One parcel far more appealing than the other.

 

Inside was a recently published book of the best of the Guardian's  Country Diary from 2018 to 2024.  It has an introduction by the wonderful Ian McMillan.  How to read  the book?  From beginning to end? Dip in? Or read with the seasons?  I decided on the latter and so my bookmark is in October.  Thank you, both of you, for you kindness.

 

The sun is out this morning highlighting the fact that windows need cleaning but at least I'll be able to put the towels outside to dry.

 

 

 

Into October

 Well, the engineer finally came this afternoon and replaced the modem.  It suffered damage in the storm on Saturday 21st September.  There was a loud crack and a bright light shot across the room where we were sitting with our evening meal. Apparently it happened to neighbours both sides of us one of them lost electricity, the other one  modem and internet.  Several other neighbours were affected as well.  Unfortunately on the next street the roof of a house was set alight. The occupants were unhurt and sought shelter with neighbours.  After twice booking an engineer it was third time lucky.  The first visit was cancelled because the service provider assumed that because all other homes in our area had been re-connected ours was too.  We made a second booking but no one turned up which was annoying as we'd rushed home from a hospital appointment.

Anyway all is now back to normal - I hope. 

Here's a photo of one of our garden visitors, he pops by most evenings and is such a delight to see.

Below a wood pigeon squab enjoys the berries on the laurel tree.

There have been lots of bedraggled and damp birds and squirrels visting the garden these last few days.

 

Down Time

Just a quick post to apologise for not replying to your comments on my last post or for visiting your blogs.  We lost our internet connection during the awful thunder and lightening on Saturday and we are still waiting for a new modem.  I’m writing this in the local garden centre cafe. Fingers crossed I’ll be back soon.

Down Memory Lane

A couple of weeks ago we travelled to the town of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire to attend the funeral of Paul's Aunt Peggy.  Paul was able to catch up with some of his cousins who are now spread across the country in different places like the Isle of Wight, York and Colchester. We also spent some time in the town visiting old haunts one of which was the Museum.  

When I worked at the Museum in the 1970s and early 80s the entrance was off the street down a large passage way between the Library and the Theatre.

The older entrance is still there under the glass canopy or atrium which now houses exhibits and photographs of manufacturing in the town.  Many factories including Metal Box, Mansfield Shoe Company, Mansfield Brewery and Mansfield Hosiery Mills to name just a few.

Paul hoped to see the Dinosaur exhibition and we managed to catch it before it closes in early October.

Dinosaurs, Weird and Wonderful by Bespoke Scientific features replicas or casts of some of the most unusual dinosaurs.

The layout of the museum has changed so much over the years which is good.  Some of the Victorian Whitaker collection of birds is still there, as is the Buxton collection of watercolours of Old Mansfield but the ceramics have gone, perhaps they are temporarily in store.  There were quite a few pieces, purchased whilst I was there,  decorated by Derby born ceramic artist William Billingsley from his days at the Derby Pottery, Pinxton Pottery, Mansfield, Torksey, Nantgarw and Coalport.  Here is a - link - to more about William Billingsley.  I find him fascinating.

We had a wander around the town before we left.  Lots of memories as it was one of our main shopping towns when I was a child.  The village we lived in was midway between Mansfield and Chesterfield so we shopped at both.  Mansfield was slightly closer by bus and I caught that regularly when I worked in the town.  There was a bus every hour to Mansfield through the village and a bus every two hours to Chesterfield.  Those were the days, when every outing was worked out by bus times. Making sure you were in time for the last bus home after evening classes, theatre or cinema.  Only heavy snow would make them late or stop them running.

Below are a few photos of the town.

The viaduct which is so prominent in the town is now used by the Robin Hood line which runs between Nottingham and Worksop.

 

St Peter's Church.  Scene of one or two family weddings and that of a friend.

This statue by sculptor David A Annand is called Ampitheatre.

Below the Market Place in front of the Town Hall and the Moot Hall.  When I was a child this was always very busy and full from side to side with rows of stalls selling anything and everything.

The Bentinck Memorial was built in 1849 in memory of Lord George Bentinck who was MP for the area for many years.  It was never finished, due to lack of funds.

We've been enjoying the warmer weather for the last few days getting out and about, walking, gardening, enjoying the sunsets and this week the Harvest moon which has been beautiful.

Spotted

Such a beautiful last day of August.  We popped out this morning to take two boxes of bits and bobs to a charity shop where we could park near the donation point as they were quite heavy.  Back home work has been done in the garden followed by the treat of an ice cream eaten in the shade at the top of the garden. 

The sun has encouraged butterflies and dragonflies to visit the garden.  Including the ubiquitous white butterflies, two small brown ones flitting around each other plus a Red Admiral and a Peacock butterfly. 

Peacock

Red Admiral

We were also visited by a Common or Red Darter dragonfly.

It seemed to enjoy lazing in the sun on top of the bean sticks.

Paul's photo (above) is far better than mine, he identified the dragon fly.

Earlier this year we saw the Bug Snugs at Trentham, I think I mentioned them in a post at the time.

We decided to build our own bug snug in the garden using the cuttings from the meadow area at the top of the garden now it has been cleared.

 It has been inspected by the foxes and badgers and also some of the local cats but it is still standing.  It will be a nice warm habitat for insects over winter.

 

The sweetpeas have been wonderful but unfortunately they are infested with greenfly.  The lupins have also been affected.  I've never known that happen before.  Does this mean that whatever predates the greenfly isn't around this year?  We've seen a few hoverflies around the garden but no ladybirds or lace wings.  I can't think when I last saw a ladybird.  That and the dearth of butterflies is quite worrying.

 

I've added a collage of some of the flowers in the garden at the moment.  Echinacea, Cosmos, Helenium, Poppy and Japanese Anemone.

 

All for now, see you in September, I hope.
 

Mount Pleasant Gardens

On our way to Mount Pleasant Garden and Sculpture Trail we passed Paddington Bear on his hill at Snugburys Ice Cream farm just outside Nantwich.  We waved to him as we passed by on the way to Tarporley and stopped in a layby opposite to take a photo on the way back.

Nearly every year Snugburys make a huge sculpture for the hill which can be seen for quite a distance around.   He stands fifty feet high and is made from metal, straw and woven willow.  Here is a - link - to more about the sculpture.

 

 

We'd never visited Mount Pleasant Gardens before so didn't know what to expect but we spent a delightful couple of hours there finding all the different areas of the garden and following the sculpture trail.  The garden is ten acres in size and has both garden and woodland, some areas are steeply terraced with views over the Cheshire countryside.  There are specimen trees, four ponds, a Japanese garden, bog garden, vegetable garden and a stumpery with tree ferns.  There is also a sculpture workshop, tea room and plant sales.

Above is the chariot and horses placed in the centre of the wildflower meadow.

You can stand on the chariot to have a photo taken if you want.

It look wonderful in the bright sunshine.

I took many photos so below are just some of them. Apologies in advance for the photo overload.

 

We stopped for a cup of tea and piece of cake.  The courgette and avocado cake was delicious and such a huge piece that I had to take half of it home for later.

All for now.