Autumn - What It Means To Me

As we transition into the new season of Autumn, many changes occur. The look of the landscape, the weather and ultimately our change of habits. Autumn for me is all about foraging the fruits of a great Summer and preparation for the coming Winter.

I always like to see and know what I can forage in my immediate area, out to around 300 yards of my current location in order to establish the whereabouts of easy pickings - particularly the berries and the nuts. As you can see, there is a great abundance of plums and blackberries around here.
I believe it is also the natural order in which to antioxidise the body with fruits and boost the immune system with berries prior to winter flu and bug season. I feel a trip to the river bank is essential in order to gather some Black Elderberries.It is the last opportunity to see the landscape and animals themselves preparing for their own Winter struggle. In the coming weeks, the reptiles too will be scarce! I happen to stumble across this Grass snake actually swimming across the river, pretty long too (3 ft).A fine example.Even the Newts expose themselves in the final throws of Sun in the early Autumn, warming themselves on South facing surfaces.

Although most of England has been deforested, it has been replaced by fields of crops, designed to entertain and feed the masses (all for profit of course). Soon the pumkin harvest will begin on a mass scale and soon Halloween will be all to quickly over!
Finally I will ensure all mechanical systems at my location are lubricated, my preps are checked, any rust exposed surface is treated and the all essential chimney is checked.

Good Luck Folks.