This and that on Friday

What changeable weather we're having!  Above photos were taken yesterday.  The garden birds were out in force picking off the berries from the hawthorn tree.  Pigeons were getting in on the act.

This morning I went down to the library to pick up a book I'd reserved.  The leaves that are beginning to display their Autumn colours are already falling or dry and curled up so not that pretty.  

I stood and watched a grey squirrel scrabbling in the ground and then as quick as a flash once it had scampered away a magpie came along, took advantage of the disturbed earth and started looking for insects and worms.

Across the road the row of small shops were displaying some seasonal items.  Below is the shop dedicated to Lego bricks, figurines and boxed sets that can be made up into themed scenes.

The display in the window of the shop that frames pictures and sells gifts held my interest.  

A local corner shop changed hands a while ago.  I remember when our daughter and family lived nearby and before we retired to the area.  We would come up to Sheffield for a holiday and the grandchildren would spend the pocket money we gave them.  In those days this corner shop was called after a well known television programme featuring Ronnie Barker and sold everything you could possibly need and more.  Although there are new owners it's very popular for a different reason as the items sold are locally sourced, the fruit and vegetables are organic and you can buy bakery goods and sit outside with your refreshments.  Most of the corner shops have gone as shopping habits have changed.  There was a fascinating television series that was filmed in Sheffield about the development of the corner shop from Victorian times until the present day.  At the moment the same series on BBC2 is featuring schools and how they've changed over recent times called Back in Time For School.  

A new mural on the gates was recently painted by a local artist and local places have been included such as the church, the corner shop, the library in the Big House, the park, the primary school and the river.

the original corner shop

the new makeover

On day I bought a packet of loose breakfast tea from this shop and had a good look around to see what was on offer.  It's useful to have these small businesses close by.

At the top of the lane is our parish church and churchyard. 

After coming home from my walk by the church I must have had horse chestnut trees on my mind.  Photographing the skylight above a main  door which has engraved horse chestnut leaves on it seemed appropriate. :)

Only one book was ready to collect from the library, but I'm sure it'll be interesting as it's a new Peter May crime novel featuring Enzo Macleod who's half Italian, half Scottish. He's a forensic scientist who lives in France.  One aspect of the novel is about the wartime years of Occupied France and the other is set in the Autumn of 2020 as France re-enters Covid lockdown.

I picked up a booklet about the literary festival that takes place in the city at this time of the year. Some of the events will be held online this year, but also there will be guest authors coming to speak about their recent published books.  I don't think I'll be attending this year, but I'm glad that this annual event will take place in a limited way.

This afternoon the sunshine and blue skies have returned!  Whatever the weather I hope you're having a good day.  Have a great weekend too.

A Local Garden Centre Visit

There are two garden centres near to where we live.  We tend to go to the larger one.  Most of the plants are displayed in the open air and I like to have a wander around.  There are also two undercover departments and I needed to visit them.  There's also a café with seating inside or outside.  On this occasion we had a list and stuck to it.  It's easy to get carried away and buy instead of sowing seeds or propagating from plants we already have.  However,  we did need to get some garlic bulbs.  Sometimes I treat myself to a new plant.  The shelves in the covered departments were full of Christmas decorations.  Again it would have been easy to be tempted to get a few items, but I resisted this time.

Outside the bunting and spooky decorations were blowing about in the wind.  Pumpkins were on sale for Hallowe'en.

There seem to be a lot of berries on the shrubs and trees this year.  They do say that it'll be a cold Winter when that happens.  Mindful of the birds in our garden I bought a half coconut filled with bird seed and fat which I've hung up under the shelter of a hanging basket so that the birds have some privacy and the food doesn't go mouldy when it rains.

Here are the items that we bought as we think ahead to our plans for next year in the garden.

I hope your week is going well.  Thank you for coming by.