A muddy walk as autumn brews a storm for the weekend

One

last cheeky little October raspberry in a pot..

 As I stomped through the mud in my wellies..I couldn't help  but think what wonderful colour swatches lay around my feet.

And then I started noticing how many foot prints and other various prints there were embedded in the grey glistening mud.

Dogs leap into the puddles after their battered old tennis balls..

Bicycles leave their snaking patterns.

Birds have been waddling through the sticky mud. I would LOVE to see some pictures of ducks or geese fat feet in the mud. They are so iconic and strangely humorous...

All wonderful colours whether bright or dull.

The muddy track then gives way to this little lane.

The great ash tree is loosing her leaves..thank goodness as I still have clear memories of the big storm that caused such devastation as the trees were all covered in leaves that caught the wind like sails.

If you search the top branches of the stump of a tree on the right you'll see an owl house given to me one birthday and lashed aloft by my brother.

hedgerows feasting

 The raspberry tree in my garden with extraordinary fruit that look just like fat raspberries

You can see what a big tree it is.

Fruit of the Chinese Dogwood..just like a big raspberry

So pretty and the huge white bracts in springtime are also wonderful.

Linden tree loud with bees a little earlier in the summer. 

Crab Apples they make such a sweet scent

Have lots of pics to download and no time to do it...more soon
16.10.13
Ah finally sneaked in two minutes to load some pics taken during my walk with the resident asbos..two Jack Russells

Rather tattered and torn elder but still bright and bouncy in the breeze

Rose hips that can be collected and made into wonderfully sweet and soothing to the sore throat hhhmmm Rosehip syrup of my childhood

Good old blackberries..ever friendly and refreshing on a long walk at the very least. Pies and crumbles call to be made when you see these fat beauties shining in the sun.

It's always a complete delight to come across a crab apple tree. Nothing quite like smelling them before you find them on the path and overhead..They make a fabulous jelly but are way too tart to eat without some kind of cooking.

 Dark, sexy sloes..where's that gin to soak them in for Christmas

Well the birds have enjoyed these late elder berries..

More lovely rose hips

I seem to remember my mum saying the pithy centre made good itching powder substitute..but goodness knows what kind of modern allergy it might trigger so leave well alone..

Lovely hawthorn

In my garden I have a glorious red hawthorn blossom tree..usually its pale pinky/white.

White Rowan planted for Isabelle twenty years ago..it's branches are like a ballerina's arms.

Toxic Berries Look but don't touch

 I think these are bryony but beware to quote good ol' Wicki ' all components of the black bryony plant, including the tubers, are poisonous due to saponin content. Therefore, it is not typically used internally; however, it has been used as a poultice for bruises and inflamed joints.' Personally I wouldn't use it for anything..just enjoy it sparkling in the sunshine.

 Red as bright as this can mean poison and in this case it does..Bryony twisting through the branches

Well these believe it or not are spindle berries..usually bright and pink but this year rather like old germolene.

These spindle berries are a bit more like it!!By the way they are also highly toxic so don't be tempted to do anything other than look at them. Euonymus europaeus

 Some additional delights

 These are not in the hedgerow as such but they are rather lovely..

 End of the summer Mullein also known as

Adam's flannel, old man's flannel, woollen, rag paper, candlewick plant, wild ice leaf, Jupiter's staff, Jacob's staff, Flannel Plant, Hag's Taper

The umbelliferous  Dill I love the sweet tangy seeds of this amazing plant.