............It was a beautiful day...........! Summer returns for a short while.......

Canada geese flying over the garden this morning

My last sunflower! Monday 26th September. 2011 

 Edward Thomas, a favourite poet of mine,  has a line in one of his poems which reads,
" I cannot bite the day to the core."
And on a day like this one I feel exactly the same.
From the moment I awake to see the sun shining in a clear blue sky, I itch to be outside in the garden. Even before breakfast I step out into the fresh autumnal air and take a stroll up the path to look at the shiny rainbow colours of the light reflecting in the dew on the grass.
Often I take a photo to try and capture the essence of the way it seems.
As I wandered there this morning a gaggle of Canada geese, honking noisily flew overhead, stretched out in a line. The usual "V" formation  at the front.
Why do they fly in formation?
A wonder of nature.
I reached the end by the back fence, the garden being about 40 metres long, and looked at the few remaining apples on our two trees. They have been deliciously sweet and juicy this year.The best we have ever known.
There is a different smell about the autumn. The colours are beginning to change and the horse chestnut trees are already decked in leaves which have crinkly nut brown edges, and dropping their "conkers" encased in prickly green shells. Or the shells having burst open, the round shiny chestnuts are scattered here and there.
Why is it that it is always a joy to walk in piles of leaves! The scrunchy, scuffing "about-ness" which we make as we swish along.    
       

Garden in August.

 'October' by Rose Fyleman

The summer is over,
The trees are all bare,
There is mist in the garden
And frost in the air.
The meadows are empty
And gathered the sheaves--
But isn't it lovely
Kicking up leaves!

John from the garden
Has taken the chairs;
It's dark in the evening
And cold on the stairs.
Winter is coming
And everyone grieves--
But isn't it lovely
Kicking up leaves!

The rich red colours of the maple leaves.

 So, the sun climbed up the sky and it shone warm on my face and arms. I revelled in the glory of this unexpected finger of summer creeping in to surprise us all. And I thought of Edward Thomas.

Rambling nasturtiums.  

Sunset on Sunday 25th September. 

"And shall I ask at the day's end once more
What beauty is, and what I can have meant
By happiness? And shall I let all go,
Glad, weary, or both? Or shall I perhaps know
That I was happy oft and oft before,
Awhile forgetting how I am fast pent, ................................
 I cannot bite the day to the core."