Autumn in the air

[Chris]

First day this year that I’ve woken up and felt autumn in the air. A day early, but still.

Damp and luscious green, a chill in the moist air which we’ve not had in a while. Small brown mushrooms appearing in the grass and a definite pickup in birdsong.

Here’s a local dog walking field just two weeks apart:



Got the patio doors open to enjoy the autumn smells and cool air, and a bonus incense stick going to add to the cosy. Whilst I do enjoy summer, I can feel myself getting ready for the cooler, fresher months.

 

[Tengu]

For me its when the Rowanberries go red. or orange.

 

[Broch]

That was nearly a month ago here! The holly berries are already red.
I'm actually beginning to look forward to cosy evenings with the log fire lit

 

[Pattree]

Noooooooo not yet!!!!

Autumn means hedge cutting and it’s a big job (for me) and the annual grass mowing.
I’ll need to know that the small birds have got the memo before I start hedge cutting.

The dark days have always been my favourite time for creativity. I just need to remember where I left the projects last spring!

 

[Billy-o]

For me its when the Rowanberries go red. or orange.

Yes, we usually find ourselves making jelly about now

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Nope, not down here yet. We've had a few thunderstorms so the grass is starting to green up but there isn't that nip in the air that gets the autumnal juices flowing. Temperatures are set to reach the low 30s this week & this super El Niño is forecast to bring "above average" temps for this autumn/winter. No sign of the drought conditions really improving in the near future either.
Northern England & Scotland may have a very warm, dry october too if the forecasts are right.

The fruit that has survived the summer has ripened a good month early, the grapes have come & gone & the figs (about half their usual size) are past their best.
The tomatoes are tiny despite being watered twice a day & the actual plants have really struggled & hardly grown. I have heard of weird things going on with the tomato plants across the pond too.

 

[Springchicken]

My yardstick for the start of autumn is when the fruit on my Ashmead's Kernel tree starts to ripen. The fruit is there and might swell a little after the widdle of rain we've had but they are not ripe - yet.

To be honest, I am delighted that summer is drawing to its dry, dusty and over hot end. I always find it a disappointing time of year and look forward to that "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" and its successor.

 

[JudahClifton]

First day this year that I’ve woken up and felt autumn in the air. A day early, but still.

Damp and luscious green, a chill in the moist air which we’ve not had in a while. Small brown mushrooms appearing in the grass and a definite pickup in birdsong.

Here’s a local dog walking field just two weeks apart:

View attachment 105123View attachment 105124

Got the patio doors open to enjoy the autumn smells and cool air, and a bonus incense stick going to add to the cosy. Whilst I do enjoy summer, I can feel myself getting ready for the cooler, fresher months.

That difference in the field after only two weeks is pretty impressive. A bit of rain and cooler weather can change everything incredibly quickly.


I know exactly what you mean about that first morning when the air suddenly feels different. You can usually smell autumn before you really see it in the trees.


I am still not quite ready to give up on summer, but cooler evenings, open doors and that first proper autumn smell are definitely something to look forward to.

 

[Silverclaws2]

Yup noticed the change on 17th of August to have noted it in my diary, there was I recall a definite shift in the air.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Houston ........We have a nip in the air. But & there is often a but...when you're in severe drought as we are, this is the last thing you want to see.

 

[Tony]

it's still mild here, it's about 15 degrees overnight, so undulating back and forth with the cold edging it's way in. The sea is still warm, hopefully that will last for a while.
Beechmast is dropping all over, a sure sign Autumn is here!

 

[Aristotle]

There is beechmast everywhere here too.

Temperatures have been up and down here. It has been getting a bit colder at night, but not enough for central heating, just wearing a jumper.

It is forecast to be a mild 19°C today.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

28°C & sunny today & the same forecast for tommorrow but that will be the end of the summer here, as autumn will be arriving like a freight train from wednesday onwards. Really hope the nights start getting chilly as the mozzies are a real pain.

 

[Tengu]

Im thinking of switching my light artificial duvet for the heavy down one.

 

[Toddy]

It's really starting up here now. The Rowan trees were stripped by the birds weeks ago. I managed a big bowlful and have them for jelly.

The air feels different, it smells different, there's a lingering cool dampness even on dry days now too.
Leaves are showing the colour changes, days are definitely shorter, the nights colder.
We're into October though, and it's still decent enough

I bought new gloves for everyone, new socks for the menfolks, I bought new hot water bottles, checked the duvets and the fleece throws. The quilts were all aired too.

I like the bustle of this time of year that underlying urgency to be 'just in case' ready.

M