October Roundup

We stayed local this month and I went for some invigorating walks in our neighbourhood. Our surroundings are beginning to look quite autumnal now.

More of the apples in the garden are ready to pick  We're seeing an abundance of berries and the leaves are changing from green to gold, orange and red hues.

Cuttings of a dahlia have successfully taken root and they've produced flowers.  Chrysanthemums are a favourite Autumn flower.  The grapes still remain on the vines and the roses continue to bloom.

During this week we had to go to our local daughter's home as she was working.  She needed us to be there while a technician was working on her broadband cable outside the house.  Passing by the community garden I noticed colourful mandalas hanging in the trees so on our way back home we stopped to take a closer look.  Since last time a lot of outdoor furniture and other garden items have been added and the whole site is obviously well maintained and used by the schoolchildren as a place to learn about gardening and the environment.  The children and their teachers along with local volunteers have made the place look very attractive.

Sunrise with a view over our neighbourhood gardens as the light gets brighter.

(Photos taken yesterday)

Once again thank you for your visit.  Have a lovely weekend.  We're looking forward to the lunchtime visit from our grandson and girlfriend as they pass by on their way back to Berkshire.

A Moorland Location

You would think this photo was taken recently, but in fact it's of the area near Ladybower Reservoir during August.  The hill on the distant horizon is the distinctive Win Hill whose summit is 462 metres above sea level.  Our local daughter M, who likes hill walking, often goes hiking with a friend over there.  On the occasion I'm writing about we were on our way home after taking a drive out when our other daughter D was staying with us during her Summer holiday.  As usual the weather that day was changeable, but a time out had been planned as we regard our daughter's time away the opportunity to get out and about too.  While she was with us we bought a smaller car in part exchange for the model we've had since moving to Sheffield.  It'll be more economical to run and maintain.  

We went to The Strines Inn that day, which is one of our favourite local pubs located near to the Strines Reservoir and in the heart of  the moorland. 

(Photos above taken at a different time)

The inn is well known in our area for the peacocks that are kept in the field behind the main buildings.  The peahen and peacock were perched on the gate that leads down to the reservoir. 

Old pubs usually have an interesting history and items on display catch my attention each time we visit. 

The horses and carts would stop off for a rest and a drink of water at the inn before attempting a steep hill climb on the way across the moors to markets in local towns. Carriages would also come by that way. 

The inn is in a remote location, but we enjoyed the drive over the moors to get there that day.  

Thank you for your visit.  Have a good week!