Halloween and Guy Fawkes

I always think that with the arrrival of November, heralded by Halloween and banged in with Bonfire Night, the trees begin to take on their winter look. Leaves fall with great suddenness and the ground is carpeted. It only takes a few stormy winds and the process is complete and such it is this autumn. The drive, alongside Lady Lucy's walk, going up into the gardens, was now carpeted with fallen leaves when only a week previously the grass was clearly visible.

The sun is also falling. By December 21st, the sun will rise its laziest, reaching the lowest points in the sky and, in the mornings it shines, when it does, with a warm glow. The house, across the parkland, shaded with long but soft shadows, takes on an appearance of a painting, perhaps made in the 19th century. This is certainly a favourite view of mine.
There were quite a few people about today and we managed to speak to each of them. All that we met are delighted with the place, whether on a first visit or another of many. And today, we might have even encouraged a new volunteer.

Once again, I have been unable to patrol for a week or so, but I had been to the house and gardens to support pumpkin carving and broomstick making. On the night of Halloween, there was drama in the dark, as actors brought to life the melodramatic story of murders and tortured spirits as the audeince promenaded around the garden. Excellent fun for all. Even the owls with their screeching and hooting added to the atmosphere. Although the year end is approaching the increased human activity has made up for the lack of action from the visible wildlife.