It's over five weeks now since I broke my toe and though the toe itself feels much better I'm still struggling to walk properly as the top of my foot is quite painful. I pulled all the muscles in my leg when it first happened which, I think, was down to the fact that I was walking totally different to how I usually walk because my toe was so sore. I haven't had many days out during these past five weeks and I was feeling quite cooped up so on Saturday we had a short trip to Lotherton where I managed to hobble around and photograph the signs of autumn
.
Autumn is usually ablaze with beautiful hues of red and gold, not so at Lotherton. Many of the leaves on the trees are beginning to curl and die and there's lots of leaf litter too, but no real autumn colours as yet. Perhaps it's just a bit too early, after all, the autumnal equinox isn't until the 23rd of September.
There are lots of other signs of autumn around though and the woods are a great place to find them.
These conkers were still hanging from the tree but there were a few cases on the ground which we opened up so that we could bring the conkers home to lay on the windowsills. It's supposed to deter spiders from entering and nesting in the house. I don't think it really works but I wish it did.
I found this fungus at the base of an oak tree. I believe it to be Inonotus Dryadeus, or more commonly known as oak bracket or weeping conk. It secretes an amber liquid which weeps from tubes in its upper surface. It doesn't look very pretty, does it?
Have you turned your heating on yet? It's turned quite cold here and not only have we turned on the heating but my hot water bottle is out again too. I don't know about us Northerners being made of tough stuff, this summer girl is really quite a wimp when the cold weather arrives.
Looks like a well spent day out. Lovely photographs. No heating on here yet but I've swapped to long sleeve tops.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to be able to get out for a walk, although my foot is complaining now, it's certainly taking some time to heal. I'm still in my T-shirts, though really I should have gone into long sleeves before turning on the heating.
DeleteI love the shiny deep colour of conkers, with 6 grandsons we have collected loads over the years. Our heating is not on, but it is cooler in the evenings, we did change our bed quilt for 4.5 to 10.5.I hope you are feeling better soon, not being able to walk is a pain,(opps pun!) I hope you get back to normal soon. I think I like every season at the start, then I get fed up with parts of every season, summer can get too hot, now can be too wet, too cold in winter, spring is better if it behaves as it should.
ReplyDeleteI remember conkers from my childhood, though I hear many schools have banned them now, such a shame that these old fashioned games are no longer played. We've still got the 4.5 tog quilt on, we keep that on the whole year round as Mick hates being too warm. Winter is my worst season, I hate the cold.
Deletei think Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons, although i have loved all the sunshine we've had this year I don't like the heat. We haven't put our heating on yet, it's still quite warm here in the Midlands, Mark put the fire on when here was here last weekend but only for a little while, he feels the cold more than me, although I do take my hot water bottle to bed with me as my feet are always cold, lol
ReplyDeleteI'm not a lover of winter as I hate the cold so much. Mick rarely feels the cold, it isn't often he puts the heating on and he wears T-shirts the whole year round.
DeleteLovely Jo. Maybe not much autumn colouring this year due to the lack of rain, which is what can happen here after a very hot dry summer. It's a mechanism of coping for trees & shrubs. I love warmth, but not searing heat & I think we'll be putting the heater on here tonight to, as it is only supposed to be 4deg over night. Still chilly even though it is now Spring. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that autumn colours can vary due to the weather conditions earlier in the year, it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks. I like the heating on to take the chill off, the mornings are much cooler now, autumn is definitely settling in.
DeleteI'm a spring girl - Spring has beautiful fresh green growth and is full of optimism with the best months ahead before we plunge back into winter.
ReplyDeleteThere is that. My favourite season is summer followed by spring for the reasons you state. Autumn next and then winter which I'm not a fan of at all, though I do like the period over Christmas and don't mind the snow falling at that time of year.
DeleteOur heating has come on by itself on a few mornings recently and I confess to having switched it on myself an a few evenings as well. I prefer summer too - more for the long days/short nights than the heat. I don't like the darkness in the winter. Oh well, soon be Christmas! :oD
ReplyDeleteI love the longer days of summer, I can get quite down in winter and I'm sure it's to do with the dull days and darker evenings. Christmas is the only thing I look forward to during winter.
DeleteLovely post and pictures. I'm not surprised that you're still hobbling and hope that all will be okay soon. I prefer spring and autumn to summer as I don't like the heat/humidity and poor air quality here. Many trees are already dropping leaves due to a lack of water rather than autumn weather.
ReplyDeleteIt's been cool enough here a few evenings for me to turn the fire on. xx
My toe is taking some mending, it's quite an inconvenience being unable to walk or drive. I think a lot of people enjoy spring and autumn as they don't like the heat of summer but the weather isn't too cold either.
DeleteLovely photos, Jo. You can really see the changes in them. No heating here yet; it's still getting very warm in the afternoons and we're even having the cooler switch on most days, but another month or so and we'll most likely need to heat at least in the mornings.
ReplyDeleteSeptember can be quite different here from year to year, sometimes we can get some beautiful weather, as we did a couple of weeks ago when we were away for my birthday, but other years it can be very different. It's definitely cooled down a lot now even though I've been trying to cling onto summer for as long as possible.
DeleteGlad you managed a day out even though you were in pain with your toe, hope it improves soon. You have captured Autumn with some lovely shots. I hate the cold too but we are still around 24C at the moment so hopefully a little while before the log burner gets going xcx
ReplyDeleteMy toe is a real problem at the moment, I didn't think a toe could impact so much on day to day life but it makes getting about so difficult. I'm just hoping that it mends soon. I would have liked summer to continue a little longer than it has but we can't complain this year with the beautiful weather we've had.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that it's taking a long time for you to walk with comfort after you broke your toe, but glad you could get to Lotherton and see signs of Autumn. It's been a funny day here. Sunny, windy and now turning dull. I didn't know whether to put out some washing, but in fact it has dried quickly due to the windy conditions. It's back to wearing a jumper or cardigan now that the days are cooler. Thanks for the reminder about the conkers deterring spiders. I did that last year when you mentioned it. Not sure if it works, but I like collecting conkers anyway. I've noticed a few spiders indoors lately so if the weather permits tomorrow I shall go and see if I can find some fallen conkers in our neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to get out, even if it was only for a short walk. It's been a funny day here too, I was pegging the washing out this morning as it looked fine and then it started raining so I brought it in again. It rained most of the morning and was very windy too and then brightened up a bit this afternoon. I shall have to get my long sleeves out, I've been putting it off and continuing to wear my T-shirts but I think the time has definitely come where I need them. I'm not convinced that the conkers deter spiders but, as you say, it's fun to collect them anyway.
DeleteSummer can be beautiful. It's the heat/humidity which do-me-in, now that I am older. :-) Also, I'm not a gardener, so that's another reason, I'm not completely thrilled with summer.<--That is probably a bigggg reason. Gardeners are in-their-glory, in the growing season!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the toe, etc. Yes, we do "walk differently" when we have another health issue. And doing so, can set us up, for yet another health problem.
Love your close-up photos, of Autumn around you.
Some years, the Autumn colors are not as bright. Some weather reason, I guess. But it seems, there is still time, for your Fall Foliage to "get-into-gear"! :-)
�� �� ��
I love summer but we don't get the heat or humidity over here that you get in some parts of the US, I might feel differently if we did. Autumn colours can be beautiful so it would nice to see the colour change in nature, there's still plenty of time yet.
DeleteOh dear!!!!!! I wrote a long comment. And now I wonder if it will Publish.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, for some unknown reason, my 'comment persona' disappears! And I didn't notice this, before I clicked on Publish.
Moannnnnnn, sigh, moan, sigh... It was a nice long comment tooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I won't know, if it Publishs, or not.
sighhh
Yes, it's published above. Blogger can be a pain sometimes, but not on this occasion.
DeleteYou’ve taken some really beautiful photographs. Glad to hear your toes feeling better, hope your leg muscles settle down soon so you can start getting out and about a bit more again xx
ReplyDeleteThe muscles have eased off, it's the top of my foot which is causing the most pain now, though I think I overdid it at the weekend as the toe itself has been painful again since. I think I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that it's going to take some time to mend.
DeleteSorry to hear you are still in some discomfort, hope you feel better soon. It was a delight to see your photos of the seasonal changes. The heating has been switched on and late afternoon I have been lighting the stove. I love sitting in front of a roaring fire.
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of signs of autumn around now, even though I'm still trying to cling on to summer. Your cottage must be lovely and cosy with the stove lit.
Deleteargh! That fungus on the tree is creepy to me. Yuck yuck yuck
ReplyDeleteIt isn't very nice at all, is it? I've never seen anything like this before.
DeleteSplendid Autumn goodies you spotted on your walk. I'm sorry your foot us still troubling you and causing issues. Not keen on that fungi ... It looks very strange. Loving the acer. Heating gas cut in here on a couple of mornings and we've changed to the intermediate duvet as DH feels the cold.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many lovely things to see at this time of year. I love the acer, I've been promising myself one for the garden for a long time but still haven't got round to getting one. It's the mornings when I'm feeling the chill so I have the heating on just to warm the house through, the rest of the day isn't too bad as yet.
DeleteI love autumn, your post reminds me of why.
ReplyDeleteThere's such a lot of beauty around at this time of year, plenty of things to see.
DeleteWhat great photos Jo, things are definitely on the change although it's been so hot today, 24°! We've got the heating on low so it can click on if the temperature drops like the other day when I was frozen. Thanks for going to the post office when your toe was so sore, let's hope you're over the worst now. x
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely that autumn nip in the air, though I believe it's much warmer down south than it is up here in Yorkshire. You're welcome, I hope you enjoy your goodies.
DeleteI loved seeing the photo of those shiny brown conkers. Definitely one of my favourite things! And the acorns of course.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was such a treat to get out, sorry to hear it's still so painful.
No heating on here as yet, it was boiling hot here today although from the forecast that's due to change very soon.
Lisa x
Conkers definitely herald the beginning of autumn. I enjoyed getting out, even if it was for just a short time. I'm wondering how much longer my toe can go on being painful for, it's driving me mad now.
DeleteOh what Beautiful photos,so glad you were able to hobble around and admire the scenery and beauty.I forgot to tell you.Glyn did the same thing to his toe,it wasn't broken tho thank goodness,just swollen and badly bruised.I am a Winter girl myself,not that I don't like a bit of sun of course I do.No heating on yet,but I don't think it will be long now.xx cuddle for Archie xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that Glyn did the same thing to his toe, I'm glad his wasn't broken, though a bruise can be painful enough. I dread the onslaught of winter, I'm always glad when spring comes around again.
DeleteYour Photos are stunning Jo🍁🍂such beauty and colour.
ReplyDeleteI am the look out for conkers since you mentioned them.
Sorry to hear your toe is still hurting have you tried comfrey oil? x
I hope you manage to find some conkers. I haven't tried comfrey oil, I must look into getting some and seeing if it helps.
DeleteActually, I think that last photo is kind of interesting in a science-y sort of way.
ReplyDeleteNo heat on here yet. It's still way too hot and humid. This next week is supposed to cool off a bit.
I've never seen a fungus like that before where it oozes liquid. How I wish our summer had gone on for just a little longer, autumn seems to have descended upon us quite quickly this year.
DeleteI'm really looking forward to Autumn finally arriving. The leaves are beginning to change colour now and I hope we will be in for a visual treat before long. I might have gathered a few conkers for the mantel too. Last week was quite chilly here but the temperatures have risen over the last few days. Each morning is keeping us guessing what the weather will bring. X
ReplyDeleteI'm the opposite, I'm still trying to cling on to summer, though the weather is definitely more autumnal than summery. It's been really windy here today but I think it's beginning to settle a little now.
DeleteWe don't have many signs of autumn here, Jo, but not because of lack of rain -- we had record amounts! Now we are reeling from the aftermath of hurricane Florence. We were considering building an ark. It is still warm and, like you, I dread the winter cold. Love your pictures. Oh, how I miss conkers! I hope you toe and foot heal completely very soon. P x
ReplyDeleteWe still haven't had very much rain here, though most places have greened up again now. The grass was parched throughout summer. I hope you haven't suffered much damage in the hurricane, it's been terrible, my heart goes out to all those who have been affected. I'm starting to wonder how long my toe is going to take to heal, it's coming up to six weeks now since I broke it and it's still painful.
DeleteOh, your poor foot! I get the hobbling thing and how one injury sets something else off. I do hope you are able to walk pain-free soon. Lovely pictures, loved that fungi. I wish there was something that kept spiders out too, we seem to have hundreds of them in the house this year.xxx
ReplyDeleteMy toe is taking much longer to heal than I expected, just as I think it's getting better it starts hurting again. I'm terrified of spiders so I dread this time of year when they start marauding around the house.
DeleteBeautiful photographs Jo, I enjoyed seeing them all.
ReplyDeleteWe are all talking about Autumn, and it is one of my favourite seasons … but as you say the autumnal equinox isn't until the 23rd of September!
Sorry your toe is taking time to heal, hoping it will be 100% again soon.
Enjoy the rest of the week … we haven't got our heating on yet!
All the best Jan
I don't remember the meteorological seasons mentioned at all when I was growing up, the seasons always seemed to be measured by the equinoxes and solstices. It seems to have warmed up again here this week, though we've had some very windy weather and we're forecast heavy rain later on today.
DeleteI've never seen fungus like that before. I think we're in for a wet and windy autumn... The long range weather forecast says we're in for a very harsh winter too.
ReplyDeleteThe heating went on this weekend and the hot water bottle has been out for a while (I suffer with low Vitamin D, so get cold easily).
It's the first time I've seen this kind of fungus too. I was hoping that a mild winter would follow the lovely summer we've had but I suppose we can't have it all ways.
Delete