Autumn Colour

 On Wednesday, my friend Judith and I went to Rosemoor.  I'm not a huge fan of gardens, as this exchange gives away - me - "lots of dead plants, dead things, sticks" Judith - "pruned things Sal, colour"

Hmm, well I enjoyed the sculptures but the highlight for me was the display of pumpkins and squashes.  And seeing Judith relaxed and happy.  Since she won't read this, I treasure time with her, knowing that as she has cancer, it may be a shortened time of friendship.  I've been there before and it is hard. Even the coffee cake didn't have walnuts - she doesn't like them, so a good end to a day.  She was grumpy because I prevented her walking up the higher woodland walk - ususally extremely muddy! I know how determined and stubborn she can be, but sometimes resting on a bench in the sun is a fabulous prescription for a friend who doesn't rest!  Oh and I appreciated it too, celebrating the unreal feeling of having a new job!

Living Water part 2

 Water again.  Friday, using the excuse of a parentally generous National Trust renewal, I went to Lydford Gorge. Thanks to The Sat Nav I got there! It was thrashing down with rain in that persistent, soaking, horizontal Devon pattern, the sort that actually fills me with joy, except that wearing glasses is a pain.

Funnily enough there weren't many cars there.  Just a few determined parents hauling their children out for a healthy walk in the woods.  And the woods were so beautiful.  The photos below don't do them or the water soaked waterfall justice.  What little of the walk that was open was so lovely and soul enriching.

There's something about woods that I love. I'm reading John Lewis Semple's The Wood again, as a bedtime read.  Beautiful, solid, well crafted prose, achingly well observed, so sharp you feel you are walking on the leaf litter with him, sitting at the edge of the woodland pond listening to the moorhens, walking home on the cusp of night hearing the cry of the tawny owl

And after Boris's dismal, depressing, spirit darkening maps last night I took shots of the leaves on the way to church.  The greens and browns were a mind resting option. And the reds fed my heart.