Autumn Leaves..

October's almost over and November is but a few days away yet we're well through autumn and heading towards winter now. With its crisp, sharp nippy mornings, which almost take your breath away. You feel the chill mostly as you step out of your front door and shiver as you watch your breath freeze in the still morning air. Tall magnificent trees, stand before you in full splendour of autumn colour. The clocks go back the days grow darker and most trees will have almost shed their leaves. Other shrubs and trees are bare. They retain their colour through their stems. They enlighten the bare undergrowth. A mixture of  leaves lie crisp at your feet and they crackle as you walk through them on a frosty morning.


Above your head the sunlight dapples its rays throughout the branches of the trees. Then casting  your eyes through the lower hanging branches, you see nature's own workers marking their own territory with mosaic masterpiece's of silken threads which sparkle in the morning dew.  Their fine threads, difficult to see until... "Oops' .. it's to late ... your face, is covered in their fine sticky threads. You're so busy trying to remove them from your face, when you almost stumble upon a tree root sticking up out from the undergrowth. Clearing your face you manage to gather yourself together and luckily restrain yourself from falling head long into the cold damp leaves.


The days drag by and with each day the temperature plummets down and down it goes. The cold frosty air laces itself upon anything that is metal and Jack frost dances round the doors and windows. The ground begins to harden and it's time for nature to sleep.

Woodhorn Country Park

Today whilst the sun was shining and warm I thought I would take my dad and his dog out for a drive. Although I have lived here awhile I am ashamed to admit that I have not visited the many Country Parks in the area around Northumberland as perhaps I should.

Today, I took it upon myself to visit Woodhorn Country Park, Ashington in Northumberland. Only a short distance from our home. As we arrived we were surprised to find that it was not only a Country Park but it also had a Museum as well.

As we entered through the main gate to our delight there in front of us was a huge lake surrounded by forestry, farmland and a Premier Inn.  Refreshments for all.

We parked the car in the main parking area looking out onto a lovely man-made lake with a variety of swans all happily foraging for bits of scraps thrown by the visitors. Nicely planned walkways with paths and seating in case you need to take a rest.

There was a railway line with a red and black train which collected passengers and took them up to the old Colliery Museum.

"Susie"

Due to dad being almost ninety with walking difficulties I suggested I take him to the pub for a cool pint of John Smith's beer, whilst I walked his dog around the lake.  I must admit how beautiful and natural it was and only minutes away from the town of Ashington.  On return from the walk both dog and I had a cool soft drink.

As we left Woodhorn Country Park, we decided that on our next visit we would take a look at the Colliery Museum.

Taking The Plunge!

Have you ever felt your clothes are a little to tight or your skin is looking saggy and not at it's best. I recall a few years back when I was desperately overweight. Looking into a mirror and feeling ashamed of my body. I felt old, frumpy and my joints ached. Just walking or moving around began to feel impossible and generally my mental attitude took the plunge.

Two years ago, I was fit and full of energy, I was always busy, competing horses, swimming, visiting the gym and walking .. I never felt the need to check out my diet or keep an eye on my weight, until the past year when I felt that all of my energy and fitness had just got up and went.  Recently, I came across Indigo Horizons which at that time was covering a fitness regime. I thought whey hey, perhaps I should try this and see if it can help me.

Up until recently I lived in the country where I always felt at ease with plenty hill walks and moors to lose yourself on and  lovely people, I knew well. It's only been recently since moving - down to the north-east that everything has changed.  I'm not meaning to sound pathetic but since I became more involved with the Internet my exercise regime went out of the window. Time seemed to fly by and in very short space of time my muscles became soft, my body sagged and junk food became my diet.. In fact I gradually became a fat slob!

Since reading Indigo Horizons  I have been cutting out the junk food and eating a more healthy diet. I am walking regularly, riding my horse more often and although my joints are still painful  I am walking more and cycling when I have spare time. I feel now that it has improved my attitude for instead of procrastinating, I am sitting at my desk and writing this post which is long overdue.

I wonder if perhaps you have felt like I did and if you tried anything to improve your fitness and state of mind. I look back on it now and I'm pleased I took the plunge!!

Laced Flowering Cherry

It was raining earlier but despite the dull weather I thought I could see a glimpse of sunshine breaking through the clouds. With a bit of luck, we will be able to drink our iced lemon tea on the table under the parasol. "Hi, Virginia, so lovely to see you!  Hope you found your way - without much trouble.  I thought we might have iced lemon tea at the table with the parasol. Is that all right with you? Do help yourself to some home-made fresh cream scones and the cookies in the jar. Feel free to have a wander, I'll be with you in a short while." 

Later...

"I am so pleased you phoned to say you would come. You look wonderful in your long floating dress, it's very pretty. Silk is it?"..." I thought so! Pink suits you so well. Your sandals are very smart, such an unusual colour but Virginia they look fabulous with your dress! I hope you will excuse me in my casuals but when it is hot and I'm at home, I prefer shorts, vest and sand-shoes. "How is your iced lemon tea?"..."It is so refreshing on a day like today."... "I beg your pardon?"..." Oh, of course, I will take you for a walk around the garden. (I do hope she has something flat to put on her feet. I wouldn't like her to spoil those beautiful sandals.) ... "Sorry, you were saying?"..."  Oh, you thought you could hear music!"

The rustle of leaves, blow so gently in the breeze,

The sun shines down, from high above,
It sends its dappled rays, between the branches and the haze, 

As the limbs sway to and fro,
 And the water from the fountain sprays below.

"I often sit and listen to the sound of my garden.  It is amazing what one hears when one’s mind is

calm. Would you like another biscuit before we go?  They're quite yummy, Please help yourself! I believe you entered the secret garden from the south entrance, last time.  I thought perhaps we could walk by the North Gate from the court-yard. Then we would go immediately into herb garden and later into the rose garden.  Both gardens are quite unique in their own way but the herb garden is full of colour and delights! Would you like to take a look?"..." Good!!

"I'm so glad you have brought some flat shoes with you, I thought you might fall and twist your ankle." Now let me see, cast your eyes to the right and along the walls, we have the most delicious Espalier Pears and Victoria Plums." Apparently, it is a little early for the fruit but there is plenty blossom so hopefully the bees will be busy. Along the borders edge we have the traditional Buxus sempervirens hedging. Can you smell curry? That is Helichrysum Italicum, it has a strong aroma but I love its foliage! In the centre of the garden surrounded by the small hedging we have the usual herbs Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Fennel, Basil and other herbs.  I planted Rocket and Sorrel on the edge here. Don't you just love the radish taste of the Rocket and the lemon taste of the Sorrel? I believe the citrus flavour of the Sorrel improves the taste of the salad. Well I think so!  You will see fennel in other areas of our herbaceous borders too, it blends nicely among other flowers. 

This gate on the right leads to the main garden but I would like you to see this garden first and then the rose garden. If we have time I'll take you into the main area."..."  Yes! As you say, there are indeed, so many different textures and colours. Let us continue round to the other side and you will smell the fragrance of mixed herbs."..." Yes, that is honeysuckle over the arch seat."..." Oh, thank you your so kind,... I do love my garden.  Let us go through this gateway covered with the Hops and continue into the rose garden."... "Yes, they can be made into beer but I doubt if we'll manage to get enough to make our own!"  

"There are some very old roses here, some of which range back to well before we arrived. They were in a poor condition and it is only in the last two years that we have cultivated them to standard  they are today. This one is Gertrude Jekyll, it's small buds look like scrolls which open into large pink rosette shaped flowers and have the sweetest fragrance. It is a climber and a lovely colour cerise pink. You will come across some rose shrubs like it throughout the garden.  The one on your right is Rosa Albertine, This climber like Gertrude Jekyll is much paler pink in comparison with a strong perfume. We have Felipe Kiftsgate which is a very robust rambler and a very prickly rose. Due to its prolific growth the one we have is growing through an old established Japanese Prunus serrulata (Flowering Cherry). It is a spectacular sight to see with its trusses of creamy white flowers cascading down through the branches and a delicate perfume filling the air on a summers evening.. It also means we have flowers from the tree twice a year instead of once in the springtime. The small roses in the centre are Hybrid Tea roses with standard roses in between which are also very pretty. I much prefer the Old English varieties but it is always good to keep up-to-date with the roses on the market."

"I am afraid I have run out of time. I am so sorry!  Perhaps you would  like to come by another time? When we can have a glass of Elderflower water and I'll show you a little more of the garden!"