Signs of Autumn.

In the countryside there is little yet of autumn colour - just a few leaves starting to turn.  So, this afternoon, I went for a short walk, with my camera, down a couple of local footpaths in search of signs of autumn - and I found them…

The first of several log piles.

A bright colour in the distance caught my eye...

...and here it is in close-up.

These look like hops to me.

A few applies left on the tree...

...but most are on the ground.

Bug Hotel.

Sadly a not-unusual sight as fruit is left to fall and rot.  Still, I suppose it provides winter nourishment for the birds and insects.

Anyone for mistletoe?

A log pile and a half.

Autumn

Last Sunday saw the return of the town’s annual Autumn Fair when the main streets and centre ville were filled with market and brocante (second-hand goods) stalls, which were well supported by the local community from not only the town but the surrounding villages.

It also saw the return of the autumn season with a mix of clear and cloudy skies, a chill wind and a midday shower.

Since then, each day has felt cooler than the previous one.  Log fires have been lit and central heating turned on, summer and winter clothing swapped in wardrobes - and my various pockets of arthritis have woken up.

My least-favourite months of the year are on the horizon…time to think of thick soup and hot chocolate.  Well, there have to be some comforters!

after...2.

low tide
…….. numbed 
…………….. becalmed
………………………beached
stippled ripples, small splashes
then currents swell
without warning
downpours
a tsunami swamps
bubbles burst from the depths

after
in the silence
ponderous paddling
to keep afloat

no forecasted pattern for this sea

Departures.

A lot of the funfair lorries packed up and left last night.  The rest are shipping out this morning.

Late last night, friends managed to get their lorry parked in front of the house and this morning loaded up our son-in-law’s furniture to take it to his new home in England.

This afternoon, my husband will be admitted into hospital for an operation.

Tonight, I will return to an empty town and house in centre ville.

The first chill of autumn touches the air.

Well...

that's how it was this morning.

This afternoon, we got to the hospital on time then had to sit outside the nurses' office on the ward for half-an-hour.  Then two nurses (one had some English) came to talk to us quickly followed by the surgeon who explained that it would not be possible for him to have the operation tomorrow as he has a mild urinary infection and they would not take the risk.  Having recently known sadly all too well about microbes, we appreciate the care but it is disappointing. 

But the warm sunshine is back too! 

Although I see that somebody has forecast that the UK (and we get similar weather here) is to experience four months of heavy snowfalls interspersed with heavy storms starting in November.  

Perish the thought! 

Here we go again…

Yes, it’s that time of year when the funfair comes to centre ville…

The event is to mark the fete patronale at the weekend but, this year, more time is being given to the fair people to set up and clear - well officially that is because previously they took the same time anyway! So, this year all who live and work in the town centre were given notice to park their vehicles elsewhere for a week, not just a couple of days.

The first few arrived on Tuesday, 20th September and more on Wednesday morning.

View from a first-floor front window...

...and from a side window...

Tip-toeing between and across many obstructions on the way back to the house on Thursday afternoon…

...not so easy when walking with great difficulty even on two crutches!

 

 No doubt the side of the house will soon fill up - see what Friday brings!  

Friday afternoon - and, like Topsy, it’s growing…

Unnervingly quiet on Saturday morning but at 4.00.p.m. the funfair burst into life...lights! music! action!

On y va!  - let’s go!