I love Dogs me...

A beautiful day for a walk, the sun was above the horizon to greet me set in a near cloudless sky, the epitome of John Keats-'a season of mist & mellow fruitfulness'. The fluting Autumnal song of the Robin seemingly echoing from within the light rolling low mists has now replaced His mating song. The meadow is up to knee height already with the grasses, due to the heavy dew I donned my wellies. Young un & her Mum however were both below the grasses so got soaked thru. Not that it bothered them as they ran with abandon across the meadow to emerge soaked then straight back thru it to me, up they jumped to show me just how wet they were, what's a bit of moisture when you can share the happiness of two Dogs. We took the long walk South then Far East to the coast, today was a quiet walk marred by the discovery that myxomatosis has reared its ugly head in the area, around the copse warren were a number of Rabbits sat in the cool sun showing the discharge around their eyes rendering them blind & oblivious to potential predators(my Dogs) both the Dogs just sniffed them & moved on. What a sad sight to see, unlike my usual view of them as they run down the Deer tracks flicking their little white scut. It is a painful death as tumours grow around any or all of their openings. It can take weeks for them to die unless they're lucky enough to be killed swiftly by a predator. It put a dampener on what was a glorious walk. Myxo raises its ugly head every few years around here I'm afraid. Transferred by the biting bugs like fleas on the Rabbits in their warren. The Birds were quiet other than the single Robin & the Farm Rookery that were 'cawing' to their hearts content noisier than of late no doubt the numbers bolstered by this years young. I noticed the Blackthorn, rose hips & Hawthorne are in fruit, heavily laden in their fecundity. The Horse Chestnut Trees from a distance looked as if they wore their Autumnal coats but on closer inspection were just covered in the aftermath of the 'leaf miner' bugs that render the leaves crisp husks. Autumn is in the air, the Dogs & me love the Autumn, cool enough to walk long distances & play but warm enough not to need extra layers. Young un & Her Mum both continued running in front of me to then shoot back for a fuss, it lifted my spirit after the Rabbits suffering. What a joy Dogs are, they have the gift of lifting us when we are down just by their antics & presence. I love Dogs me. Enjoy your day.

Thanks, Rocky. Another great story of your walks despite the sad bits. 

Thanks Tinny, sad it is too survival in the animal world is accepted but the myxomatosis thing is awful.

Thanks from me as well Rocky. Dogs are indeed a joy, a real sight for sore eyes, they brighten up the darkest mornings without even realising that they are doing it....

Thanks BT, four pawed therapy. We just love em.

A truly stunning Autumnal morning awaited us as we set off a little before sunrise this morning, for those who mourn the passing of Summer I offer you this-'a deep blue sky, the sun just breaking the horizon, a few whispy clouds with the sun reflecting peach & pinks on the lower half as it made its appearance into a crisp morning of 9c, no breeze just glorious colour & spectacle.' That is just one of the things I love about Autumn. Young un, Her Mum & me watched a glorious landscape being slowly & gently kissed by the rising sun. I'd love to think we 3 shared that awe inspiring view but the fact the 2 of them sat looking up at me with that-'have you quite finished' look soon disabused me of that notion. . . .Sadly. We moved on as the sun became too bright to watch. Robins aplenty singing their Autumnal song, Wood Pigeons clattering around as they set off for breakfast, all is right in my World. A couple of healthy Rabbits sat in the Sun closer to the coast seemingly unaffected by the other warrens problems. This was truly a good day to be alive & share joy. We encountered nothing more on our walk around our landscape, the long shadows hiding a lot of the comings & goings of the wildlife, moving around the wheatening grasses as they continue to succumb to the lessening light levels & lower temps. Autumn is truly here, I look forward to the wonderful leaf colour within the next couple of months. Young un & Her Mum were not bouncing along this morning, happy to stay close & just paddle off a few metres to investigate noise & smells to return for an ear rub. I believe Dogs pick up the mood of their owners, I was relaxed & content to just amble along drinking in the atmosphere of this early Autumnal day, they too did the same. They became more animated as we approached Home, a little to do with the prospect of warm porridge I believe. Enjoy your day.

Thanks Rocky beautiful description. Made me have goose bumps as I could see and feel with you.

I mourn the loss of summer more than any other season. Maybe it's because it's short and unpredictable here and once that autumnal feel approaches you know it will be a long wait to enjoy hot sun on your back and long light evenings 😢. That said I love every season in its turn and couldn't live without them. Best season change for me is from winter to spring 😆 so much promise. But summer to autumn is pretty.

Enjoy your day.

Thanks B2, the heat of Summer, but particularly the humidity curtails a lot of my enjoyment. The chainsaw carving or even generally logging entails heavy duty protective gear, on even an average day the heat wipes me out-energy wise. I'm not a sit in the sun type, odd as by the end of Summer I'm invariably tanned, I like moving around in the sun.

I'm with you on moving about. But to sit in the shade with a book or good friends us great. We suffer from high humidity at times) not overly pleasant. But a real English summer's day bliss and should be bottled 😉

Thankyou, Rocky, for that moving description and for letting me know what the unknown part of the day is like. I bet all 3 of you enjoyed the porridge.

Great pic too.