Autumn Smiles

As I type this post, I have butterflies in my stomach and shivers down my spine.  Not in a bad way you understand, but in a very happy, skippity heart beat, content way.  My love for Autumn has never been a secret and I live for this all too short season.  The warm richness of colour, the fresh air and the peek a boo of the sun through the canopy.

It has been a mild November until this point, and a joy to see the dragonfly wings against the yellow and brown forest floor.

The sycamore wings droop from the tree tops in groups, waiting for the strong winds to ask them to dance.

The crispy leaves wait for passing boots to compose a symphony as they walk by.

Amongst the yellow and browns, the luscious red shines through with the beckoning berries.  Ready for the wildlife to fill their bellies.

With the strong winds, the leaves have now fallen and joined the now soggy ones on the forest floor.  I was so glad that we took this walk before the short season's colourful beauty was lost again.

I apologise in advance as my camera is full of autumn splendour and I just have to share more posts before I get to the inevitable Christmas sparkle shots!

Thank you so much for your visits and comments.  Life is a bit manic at the moment with trying to get through lists before my surgery, and as many trips as I can before I am housebound.  I really appreciate your good wishes.

              

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary #3 - Autumn Beckons Winter

The last autumn leaves hang on like copper pennies and beckon over the bare dark fingers of winter to carry them away.

              

Snippets to Come

With an impending operation on its way to deal with my hobbit feet, I have been very busy snapping away capturing as many trips and things so that I can busy myself for six weeks writing and editing posts as I won't be able to walk any great distance for a while.  I'm excited at the prospect of looking down at my feet and not thinking I am the twin of Bilbo Baggins! But at the same time, nervous of the aftermath of the surgery on both feet and how walking on crutches will affect my shoulder.  I'm afraid it is totally my fault through thinking that my feet could fit into tight stilettos in the 1980's!!  And so, the last couple of weeks it has been a blur of camera and phone shots and ones that I will eventually share with you over the next few weeks, especially when I am laid up in a month's time.

So where have we been on our journeys? ... We have visited Chatsworth House...

... with their stunning Christmas decorations...

We've popped by Burghley House...

and captured the stunning colours of autumn...

Of course I have been capturing the beauty both in and around Peterborough Cathedral along with anything else that catches my eye (the link takes you to their new 2016 calendar, guess who took the photo for November?).

But for now, and especially after last night's horrific attack on Paris, I feel that this weekend's post needs to be short while I collect my thoughts for the poor families and emergency personnel who are dealing with this aftermath.

              

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary #2 - The Remnants of a Dutiful Fence

Just like a castle in ruins, a fence still trying to stand tall and be noticed.  It’s twisted timber may no longer be a barrier but the beauty of it’s aged life can be appreciated and reflected upon.  What tales could it tell?

       

The Many Faces of Tia

Firstly, thank you so, so much for your lovely comments and visits over the last week.  You have made me feel so humble and I am so glad you come to share my little ramblings and enjoy the things that catch my eye.  My Extraordinary out of the Ordinary post was a quick one while I was waiting for my bus, it’s amazing what beauty you can pass by without giving it a second glance.  Something I am going to rectify.  I really and truly appreciate you taking time to visit me.  

But what gifts has this week given me?  Well, my shoulder has given me good days and bad days with today being a good day (until my walk!).  Miss Teen's birthday went well and she is happy with all her gifts.  And, our little rescue King Charles Cavalier - Tia went to the vets and had 20 teeth removed! 

Yes, you read that right... 20!!  

We knew when she came to us that she had a problem but we waited for her to settle in and have any other health issues resolved first so, this was that time.  As well as this, and we were prepared for the news, she has Syringomyelia which is the same as our beloved Coco who died in April this year.  Tia's medication has started and she is taking to it very well.  Our wonderful little fighter is still fighting!  So, as I haven't updated you on Tia for quite a while (unless you follow her on Facebook!), this post is going to be a bit Tia heavy with the many faces that she pulled on a very wet, windswept day on the Fens.

The walk started fairly well, the heavy rain had stopped and the sun came out leaving muddy paths but looking at the neat rows in the fields, it did look promising...

Her first look as she run through the muddy puddles was "you're kidding me right?!"

 After two days of being hemmed up at home she had to get some air into those lungs and take her mind off the discomfort of her teeth operation.  Once up on the bank her lungs were certainly full as the gusts of wind nearly blew us back down the bank.

 She thanked me though with this gummy bear smile - or should I say Gruffalo smile (she only has two bottom teeth at the front now!).

Once over the shock of the mud and the wind, good old Tia was back with her cheeky backwards glance to say "come on Mum, let's explore".

The river was very choppy with the incessant wind so we didn't walk too closely otherwise a certain little inquisitive dog may have fallen in.

Usually with these walks, I let Tia decide on which path to take.  She decided to take the slippiest and gave her "I made a mistake but won't let on" look.

She climbed up the ramparts to the underside of the road bridge and looked back to say "come on then".

And when she realised I wasn't going to come up, she decided "I'll explore on my own then".  Oh my goodness, look at the state of her coat!

Tia's view would have been this across the river but she was more interested in something nasty that seemed to be lurking behind one of the concrete slabs.

So, time to move on.  Not this way to Spalding...

... it was this way Tia, back to the car!

The wind was blowing Tia's ears and I thought she was going to take off like Dumbo!  However she was a little concerned about her Mum who had just slipped on the mud and fallen on her bum!  and guess what, used her right arm with the injured shoulder!

Yes Tia, I can see that "silly Mum, I'm so embarrassed" look!!

So, little Tia has certainly changed since June from this nervous and near bald, breeding Cavalier...

to this gorgeous lady!

Yes, she has only 14 teeth left, Syringomyelia and a grade three heart murmur, but she is ours, and we love her and her quirky ways so much.

Don't forget that you can follow her life on her Facebook page (just click on her photo in my sidebar).  There will be ups and downs as she fights with her illnesses, but we will be with her all the way.

Have a wonderful weekend, and be careful on muddy footpaths!