The Clocks Went Back Today

The days are getting shorter and the clocks went back 
which is great for those who like to sleep in
but for the early birds, like me, it just means I'm up even earlier!

This beautifully illuminated leaf in the late afternoon sun in the park
told me that the big change was coming!
The autumn colours came later than usual because of the very warm
months of September and the first week of October.

On a local walk, I saw a fallen leaf caught in Catalpa pods

The sweet chestnuts are almost ripe and will soon be gathered
and roasted chestnut stands will appear around the town.

Some leaves turn a beautiful shade of pink

and others, like the Ginkgo biloba, also known as Maidenhair Tree
turns a luminous yellow.

I love it when the leaves go from green to yellow to soft orange on the same bush

The Farmer's Markets show off their most beautiful pumpkins

The Hydrangea change colour as the season advances
and even the leaves take on new interesting colours and patterns

Down in the park, the pond reflects the autumn tones
with harmonious ripples

Hanging baskets and urns and window-sills are decorated with
colourful and cheerful chrysanthemums.

It's a beautiful time of the year in this part of the world
and before we know it, there will be snowflakes swirling in the air!
November is quite renowned for a snowfall or two!

I hope that autumn is beautiful, wherever you are.


A Country Girl at Heart

I love all seasons in the countryside
but autumn brings warmth to my heart
and fresh air on my face!

At this time of the year, it's wise to grab the beautiful days as they appear.
Another little train journey
but on a country train this time!
My destination is 'Apples'
and you can see the name painted on the carriage.

Through the train window, I saw the vineyards slowly turning yellow.
The train stops at every little village
I love it!

Here's the village station with a fresh coat of green paint.

Now the walk begins
past pastures and trees and grazing Swiss cows!

A tractor
busy sowing seeds in the freshly turned earth.

I'm heading towards these lovely woods.
I love the feeling of space
adore the silence
and the lack of crowds...

Some leaves have started to fall and decorate the slopes.

Moving forward
Down a little and up again

Going round one bend towards a range of low mountains

Up higher just before the entrance to the forest

A soft path through the trees
surrounded by nature
not a car to be seen or heard.

Coming out of the woods towards glorious fields

Down the hill towards the village again.
This time on a backdrop of the Alps with the lake below.

The little three-carriage country train
which has just come from the village of Bière
(which really is the French word for 'beer')

Goodbye Apples with your green-framed station clock!

I notice a sign up inside the train
This one advertises a Train Fondue
Now that's given me an idea for a future outing!

***

I am definitely a country girl by nature,
but since giving up my car this year,
I have learned to appreciate the practical side
of living in a town... although I often yearn for the calm of the country
I know I can get there very easily by train and by bus.
The public transport is excellent here
and very reliable.


A Steam Train Journey

I've been wanting to do this for sometime and this steam-train experience
was finally organized!

Here is a photo of our steam train waiting for us to climb aboard
in London's Victoria Station.

Look at the comfortable plush armchairs and the white cloth and napkins
on the table ready for us to have breakfast!

Each carriage had a name painted on the side
the one I was in was called 'Amethyst'.

Here's the locomotive. Isn't she grand?
Look at all that steam.
This was at a station during one of our numerous stops.
Steam trains need a lot of pampering
including long stopovers for water, oiling various parts
and screws tightening up and the metal wheels checking over.

Here's the engine driver in the cabin of lovely burgundy coloured locomotive.

The name of our train is Princess Elizabeth

This is a plaque to give a little royal information.

Look at some of the workings of this marvellous machine

Puff, puff, puff
Here she comes after a rather long overhaul.

Champagne before the meal!

We were travelling from London down to Cornwall
on the west coast of England.
I took this from the train as we neared Devon

This is the Brunel Bridge which spans the River Tamar
from Devon into Cornwall

Here's a view down on the river from the train which
is going across that bridge.

Now we're travelling alongside the sea.
It feels quite exciting.

We arrived quite late at night after dinner on the train.
Here is our hotel on the outskirts of Newquay.
We stayed here for three nights.

We were so lucky to have a sea view
and excellent weather.
There were different outings organized each day
if we wanted to do them.
I chose to visit two gardens,
one of which is called The Lost Gardens of Heligan
a most wonderful place to visit.

As a parting photo, here is a pink sunset taken from my hotel room.

***


Here is a short video of the very train I was on
during the 17-20 September period



Let the Sun Shine in.

For as long as I remember,
I've loved windows and sheers
and how the sunshine illuminates the patterns and creates
folds and curves.

Open windows have a special charm
and they allow the sheers to move in the breeze

and we get a glimpse of greenery outside
transporting us to another outside world

There's a dreamy, romantic feeling to watching these lightweight
transparent curtains move back and forth

I could watch them forever
observing the play of sunlight outside which changes constantly

Who would have thought that open windows
and the breeze blowing curtains could hold such fascination?

The sunlight shines its filtered yellow magic
as if there is a hidden source of light within the trees outside

When the sun lowers in the sky
it leaves behind it a memory of luminous moments
of stillness and peace.

Looking at these window captures
reminds me how 
 peaceful observation
becomes a joyful meditation.