A MORNING OF MIZZLE!

The meteorological calendar gives the 1st September as the start of Autumn and according to John Keats, it is the ' Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!'  Today, it certainly was!

It was actually raining to begin with but this gave way to gentle mizzle. Belinda accompanied me and we tried to stick to well trodden paths so we didn't get too wet!  However, it was warm so we ended up with our jackets around our waists...

We were amazed how high the maize or sweetcorn had grown and marvelled at the enormous fungi we saw attached to the bark of a tree.  Would love to know its name and whether it is edible!  

Our walk took us past Kilver Court and gave us great views of the Charlton Viaduct. We noticed that the Horse Chestnut tree's leaves had already started to change colour and fall...

The allotments had all the signs of vegetables harvested and the promise of more... Seeing two orange pumpkins reminded me to look out some recipes, for the season ahead.  I recently read a butternut squash risotto with sage recipe, which seemed worth a try!

     

TIME FOR A REBOOT!

Today it really felt like the start of Autumn!  The sun had that golden glow and there was evidence of lots of farming activity and harvesting.  New season has got me thinking of a new health regime and a reboot...! 
I fully intend to add another activity in to my week, could be Pilates , a swim or Salsa..! 
Also revisiting my juicing attempts, I have mastered Green Smoothies, and really couldn't do without them now.. Perfect way to get pure, live goodness into your system .. Helen follows an excellent routine, rigorously, so has become a great source of encouragement for me.
I not sure I could be as strict with myself as she is - what would life be without positively 'jumping ' off the wagon.. into the 'Pick n Mix', occasionally!

Bumper year for apples so the press are saying.  We tried some in an old, overgrown apple orchard.  Not impressed with the taste but plenty of them!! 

GREY MORNING

Today was one of those grey, humid mornings where the misty dampness seemed to pervade all the senses, even the birds were quiet!  A lot of talking was done, especially from Jenny, but my lips are sealed - what gets said on the walks stays on the walks!  I recently read an article which said that walks are very conducive to intimate conversations, as when you walk and talk, you don't look into the eyes of your companion.  How true that is!

Our walk took us over towards Boden.  We went up a track that went through a field of grains.  On one side the field had been cut but the other was still full of wheat grain - just like you get illustrated on cereal packets!  I personally avoid eating wheat, not because I have celiac disease, but because a grain is a seed, which in order to survive harsh environments contains the built-in protective mechanisms. Wheat contains  gluten, WGA (wheat germ agglutinin) and opioid peptides which, amongst other things, attack the intestinal tract, making it hard to digest.  I know I feel much better not having it in my diet.

Today we noticed some of the leaves beginning to turn to autumn colours already. Some blackberries are ready to pick and we saw an apple tree laden with fruit. On one field we had to be careful not to tread on the enormous slugs which were everywhere.  Not the most photogenic of creatures, but I couldn't resist a pic!  I made the mistake of giving Jenny my camera to hold while I took off my jacket (it was so humid), and at the same time tried not to drop my rucksack.  She took the candid shot seen top left!

The warm damp air intensified smells, and when we were on a footpath that took us to the back of the drinks factory (see me looking up at these massive structures), there was a heady whiff of apples and cider!!