Tuesday 5 August 2014

Goodbye and hello.

The farmer counted the swallows and house martins gathered on the electric line this morning; there were over one hundred.   Already the swifts have gone - now the swallows gathering, soon to take flight for Africa.   It spells only one thing here - it is Autumn.

Autumn comes early up here in the North of England.  We are more than 700 feet above sea level and several nights there has been a warning that there might be a frost.  (the farmer has remarked that this is what happens every year just as our runner beans begin to form).

The grass verges on the lane are dying back and the temperature has not risen higher than twenty degrees for the past two weeks.

But there is some compensation to come.   Soon there will be blackberries on our field hedges (a good crop this year), plenty of hazel nuts in the fields - and the wonderfully colourful Autumn leaves to look forward to.

But, best of all, the rooks are coming in earlier each night.   And how I love the rooks.   Another couple of weeks and they will be homing in on their rookery  before I have gone to bed.   There is a rookery just behind the Old School House, where I have been going
to classes in the evening, and quarter past nine sees them all circling round, making a racket before they settle down.   And how I love it.

So all is not lost.   There are pleasures and there is sadness with each season - we have only to look for it.

15 comments:

hazzy said...

A beautiful post, thank you.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Have you read "Crow Country" by Mark Cocker? All about rooks and jackdaws. I think you'd like it.

Heather said...

I don't want to say goodbye to summer but crisp autumn air is appealing after the recent humidity.

Tom Stephenson said...

I just love all the seasons - if the birds didn't go away, we might get bored with their company...

Cloudia said...

Pleasures and sadness - you touch my heart with your attachment to the seasonal. Bless you for making me feel those earliest Autumn knowings.


Thank you much indeed, P
and ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>

the veg artist said...

I agree about enjoying each season - but do they have to come around more quickly as we get older?

Cro Magnon said...

I didn't expect to hear the 'A' word for quite a while yet. A good crop of blackberries here too, and our grapes are now mostly black. Two days ago I noticed the swallows settling on our new roof on the barn, I'm not sure what they were doing there but I hope they are thinking of nest building, it would be perfect for them.

Crafty Green Poet said...

We still have a few swifts left, though most of them have gone. It feels as though the seasons are turning early this year...

mrsnesbitt said...

I think our house martins are preparing to leave.

Amy said...

It seems you live in a lovely part of the world. It mgiht be the beginning of autumn there but it's the end of winter here, my spring bulbs are coming up already - can't wait for some warmth!

thelma said...

At least we have this coming and going of the birds in a peaceful land, Autumn is something to look forward to with all its fruits and colours.

Rachel Phillips said...

Whilst the harvest is still in full swing I do not think about Autumn. Maybe it is different in Yorkshire, up north, but I doubt your arable farmers are thinking of Autumn either.

Elizabeth said...

Just getting used to lovely summer here!
But yes to the delights of every changing season.

Linda Metcalf said...

Since Autumn and Winter are my favorite seasons I can't wait! It has been in the upper 90's for a month now and I just can't take the extreme heat these days. I also do more cooking then and enjoy it so much more.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for calling in.