Welcoming Autumn in our Woods

Although it's almost the end of September, and the leaves are showing the start of their beautiful autumnal colours, the weather has continued so mild lately that it hardly seems like conker season is really here.

We almost didn't think of going looking for some yet, but when we went for our Sunday afternoon walk to the woods yesterday we found them in plenteous supply. Perhaps everyone else is also fooled by the weather and hasn't been gathering them up yet!

Going on a conker hunt always ushers in the start of the proper autumn season for me and boys 2, 3, 4, and even 5 enjoyed hunting them down.

There is still a lot more green around the woods than browns, reds and yellows.

Calum (11), being part of the selfie generation, always likes to take a few whenever we are out anywhere!

I love how he captured their eye colour so well in this one!

Did you know that our local wood is home to some magical people?

What?

Don't believe me?

Then who else lives in here then?

Just down from where the little people live is the duck pond, which I've shared many times before. It always looks so pretty no matter what time of year it is.

Time for another selfie by the duck pond.

(As a complete aside, do you see David's chipped front tooth? It's been fixed three times since he broke it in the Spring and then it's broken again! Sums that boy up really!)

Now, at the narrowest point of the duck pond is a bridge. But crossing over it normally is no fun, is it?

Look, another magical house!

When Calum (11) was hunting for conkers he came across this unusual thing growing but we don't know what it is.

Anyone able to help us identify it?

I love all of autumn's red berries and their contrast with the greens.

Back home it was time to check out the spoils.

These were the conkers David (8) collected.

We took home a bag full of pine cones for crafting with. I've seen a tutorial for making those beautiful cinnamon scented pine cones we see every year in the garden centre, but that I can never justify buying as they are so expensive! If we have success I will share it here soon.

And here is Alasdair (5) with his collection.

We will be kept busy the next few days stringing up these conkers!

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Our woods in all their autumn glory!

It's been such perfect autumn weather here the last few days. 

Cold enough at night to leave a frost in the mornings but bright sunshine in the day time.

Cold enough in the day time to give your cheeks a rosy glow but not so bitterly cold that they ache!

I'm sure you all know how we like our traditions in this house, and one of these is that most Sundays when the weather is favourable we head out for a walk around the woods across from our street.

So, once again, I invite you along with us.

At the end of our street is this big old conker tree. We couldn't find any conkers at all this week though.

Then we cross the road......

....and head into the woods.

First stop is always the duck pond. The little duckies were pleased to see that we had remembered to bring some bread with us this time. Calum, on the far left, brought his new camera along too and was testing out his zoom lens here.

I love the warmth of the autumnal colours in the woods so much. The photo below was taken of the same spot at the end of July - lovely lush greens, but not the same richness of colour.

Back to autumn again, and our walk continues.

There was a spot of tree climbing....

.....lots of sweet smiles....

....and plenty chances to admire the beauty of God's creation.

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