The last of August

I suppose this may be the last day of summer. September is around the corner and the season of autumn, if not yet on the calendar, is certainly moving into the wings.

Trish asked if it was alright to walk around with me and, of course, it was wholly acceptable. I decided to follow the route that is my own figure of eight. Across from the house, towards the Rotunda, through the woods behind, up towards the Duke, back to the Rotunda, but keeping house side of the Serpentine and from the Serpentine Bridge back up to the house. It's quite my favourite walk. It can be extended by going below the Serpentine and then across the bridge, but not today.
The day was fine. Big blue skies with bold white clouds made the house seem minutely human against this celestial backdrop. It was busy. Dr Michael Klemperer met us as we crossed the parkland towards the Rotunda. A motorbike, rider and two other people stood down the slope in the distance and Michael, accompanied by a someone from Radio Sheffield, assured me they were on deer business and therefore on legitimate parkland business.

Michael told us that the Rotunda doors were open and that we were able to see inside. Inside, the floor was laid out in black and white square tiles, with a circle at its centre patterned with a hexagonal star. The interior height was quite impressive, but without the door being open, it would be quite gloomy.

And onward. The fruits of autumn were beginning to show in abundance. Hips and haws were vividly shouting to Trish, but for me, with some colour blindness, I could not appreciate the display. I had to be guided to where this red and green was at its most vivid.
This was the busiest day in the parkland for me. When filling out the ranger report we have to put down the number of people we see in the parkland. For week after week, we say that we saw no-one in the parkland or perhaps two or three at most - and the occasional dog. But today, Trish and I came at odds in trying to keep stock. We are not counting in hundreds or even tens, but double figures is unknown territory for me. Four dogs and thirteen people! That will be it for the numbers this year.

We caught sight of a hare, the red deer where not in evidence, but the sight of deer personnel would indicate that that they will be back soon.
Within the woodland, fungi are entering their fruiting season as, within their bracts, they show the colours of the encroaching seasons, warm and cold browns, reds, grey and white.