Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus
It's so pretty here at the moment.
Autumn is possibly my favourite season; the weather is getting cooler (although we seem to be having an unseasonal heatwave at the moment) and the colours of the trees are incredible.
Obviously, it helps that throughout September and into October too, the weather has been gorgeous. Sunny and warm with a chilly start and no rain. Remember though, I'm still acclimatised to Tokyo weather, so a chilly start for me may well be warm for many people.
A couple of cold nights a few weeks ago set the leaves on the trees on their colour-changing route. It's stunning. Sunlight beams through translucent leaves, making them glow and shine. What a lovely way to start the day.
Our street is lined with oak trees of various types with deeply cut and very attractive leaves. Some are turning gold, others are glowing ruby and another species hasn't quite changed yet so is still green. It's delightful. The acorns produced by these unusual oaks are enormous! When they fall, they crash to the ground with a resounding crack.
As they are so large, we are convinced they will damage the car if they fall on it so it's kept cosily shut in the garage at all times. I'm nervous when in the front garden as I think these things will hurt like hell if they fall on my head.
Out in the back garden, our huge beech tree has been depositing vast amounts of beech mast over a wide area. The prickly casings and sharp seeds make it hard for Kita to walk across the lawn, poor girl. We try to keep them cleared up as much as possible, but it's a never-ending chore.
My favourite of all Autumn's treasures are conkers. I've always lived near a Horse Chestnut tree; apart from in Tokyo where they didn't grow at all. I've missed conkers. Their dark, glossy coolness fits perfectly into the hand and are irresistible. Each morning on the dog walk I can't help collect another handful.
They sit in a bowl on the windowsill, going dull and bullet-like, to be refreshed by newly gathered ones each day.
I shall plant some in my garden.