Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
11 comments
“To Autumn” by John Keats starts with the above phrase and was something we were taught at school eons ago!
I never get to this time of year without this line coming to mind, it is so apt of the early morning mists, blackberries on the hedges and apples on the ground being plundered by late wasps and opportunistic blackbirds, dewdrop covered spider webs and muted noises from the mist.
I’m with Costas on this one, Summer and the heat is on the wane and Autumn is approaching with cooler days but still the joy of the sunshine breaking through, much more appreciated in smaller doses!
Some of us are sun lovers, but give me the mellow days of Autumn and I will be content.
A couple of misty views across the garden
View across the field – or it would be!
This is how it usually looks.
Still some colour in the garden
The begonias have been flowering their hearts out this year, I will definitely grow the ‘bonfire’ begonia again next year.
Dew covered cobwebs not usually noticed during the day.
Even the colours are muted in the morning mist!
Cobwebs on the feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) which is left to fill spaces in the garden, a ‘weed’ which can take over.
The old pear tree which usually only has the odd fruit has excelled itself this year. Variety unknown, taste – insipid!
One of the congested old apple trees in need of renovation. Usually has really small eating apples, picked and given to a friend to make cider.
Three pictures of the common elder (Sambucus nigra) which we have too many of! The tree in fruit.
Closer look at the fruit which is already being plundered by the blackbirds and when fully ripe will be a tree full of birds.
The common elder when it was in flower at the beginning of July.
We have several apple trees dotted about the garden and field, loads too many apples to eat, some we give to my Son’s workplace (hotel) to make local apple pies, sauces etc., some are picked and stored to be put out for the birds in the winter or as a change of diet for Boris and his girls, who like the odd bit of fruit, but can’t cope with all the windfalls at this time of year!
Daughters horses get the odd sack full of eaters as a treat, with just about everyone in this area having apple trees, you just can’t give them away!
With Autumn nearly here and Winter a mere hop/skip away it will soon be time to mull over the successes and disasters of the planting year and plan the New Year over a cup of tea and gardening catalogue in front of the fire!
28 Aug, 2013
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Comments
A very atmospheric blog - you captured the mood beautifully.
28 Aug, 2013
Thank you Scottish and Jane for your comments. Sadly Jane the first line is the only bit of it that ever stuck! I do remember the poor hassled woman who tried to teach disinterested youngsters some of the classic poems! The only other one that filtered through was the Smugglers Song by Kipling (had to look it up though) this is a bit of it:
The Smugglers' Song
If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse’s feet,
Don’t go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,
Them that asks no questions isn’t told a lie.
Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!
Four and twenty ponies
Trotting through the dark –
Brandy for the parson,
‘Baccy for the Clerk;
Laces for a lady, letters for a spy,
And watch the wall my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!
28 Aug, 2013
yes, i recall reading that one not so long ago...
thank you for finding it again.
very kind.
from jane.
ps:- the mist photo is very romantic to me :) that a lovely capture...
28 Aug, 2013
I love autumn and the misty cool mornings. Great photos!
28 Aug, 2013
Are you sure that's your garden Honeysuckle? It looks more like fairyland. I love Keats too. Do you remember the lines that say Oft have I seen her,sitting on a granary floor, Her hair soft lifted by the winnowing wind...
28 Aug, 2013
Thanks Steragram, the garden always looks better from a distance and the mist has cloaked all the dead-heading I haven't done and of course the weedy grass with holes in. I don't know the one with the lines you mentioned at all!
28 Aug, 2013
I agree about the summer. It's always too hot or too wet ... and by August I find it drags a bit. Not my favourite season at all.
I enjoy misty mornings, like the ones in your photos :o)
28 Aug, 2013
wonderful blog! agree completely...autumn has it's delights. I remember from our "memory work"...
"Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered
Snow!
Leaves were green and stirring
Berries lustre gloss'd
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned
Frost!
Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly.
Summer sun was on their wings
Winter in their cry."
Bliss Carmen
29 Aug, 2013
A wonderful blog, so thought provoking.
3 Sep, 2013
Bit late but love your atmospheric description of your lovely autum garden, almost like being there, so well painted with words.
19 May, 2014
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adorable blog :) i loved looking through all your photos..
to be taught Keats at school must have been wonderful.. we never were :( sadly...
thank you honeysucklegold!
28 Aug, 2013