It Is The Season, Turn, Turn, Turn

Cycling back from shopping in Beeston this morning, I was pleased to still see the sun and a blue sky, even though we are rapidly heading towards winter, and the cold and those early dark nights.

Moving up one of the roads towards our house, I just had to stop to take a photo of this wonderful tree with its red and orange leaves, gently being kissed by the sunlight.

Lunchtime Sunshine

My lunchtime stroll today took me through the Lace Market. A lovely sunny, autumnal day.

I decided to try out one of my vintage manual lenses, as I've not had a play with one for a while.

Here is St Mary's Church, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by some of the trees that are in the ancient churchyard.

It's A Great Life On The Buses

A couple of weeks ago, the Old Market Square resembled a seaside, complete with sand, slot machines and donkey rides.

Now it has taken on the role of global market, especially with food, as there is all sorts available, French crepes, Thai street food and various curries. Local superstar butcher Johnny Pusztai was there too, offering his famous sausages and burgers to hungry passers by.

Drink wasn't neglected, with a Pimms tent, and this novel use for an old London bus. Quite a good idea, and nice to see this example of the world famous Routemaster get a new lease of life after spending years running up and down the streets of the capital.

I see this musician is wondering whether he could get a gig on board, as maybe the upstairs is a cosy seating area, where you can sit, chat, drink and watch the world go by.

Considering today is the first day of autumn, it was lovely and sunny at lunchtime when I visited the market. Plenty of people were milling around and looking at the things to buy. There was even a stall where you could obtain a mortgage, and another that was selling a special peeler for making vegetables look decorative.

Music didn't go amiss, as when I was there a singer was entertaining everyone with some reggae tunes.

Shades Of Autumn

Another bit of welcome autumn/winter sunshine today, so I took this photo of the castle, Castle Rock and the Brewhouse Museum from the grounds of the Brewhouse yard.

Leaf It Alone

The layers of dead leaves are certainly building up along the walls of the castle, as the road sweepers don't seem to be clearing them as often as they used to.

Maybe it's down to the cuts, as road-sweeping isn't as high on the council's spending plans as it once was, as the money is used for more urgent things like education and Social Services.

In a way, I prefer the leaves to be there, as it makes my photo more photogenic, rather than just seeing grass at the bottom of the picture. What do you think?

Riders On The Storm

The weather forecasters have warned that a massive storm is going to hit the UK over the weekend.  80 mile an hour winds and 2 inches of rain have been predicted over the next couple of days.

Apparently its heading this way from the States. Now America have given us some great things down the years; Apple computers, Marilyn Monroe and Disney films. Of course some not so good things. But sending us hurricane like weather isn't very friendly. So much for hands across the ocean!

Beeston Church at lunchtime today is looking threatened by the storm clouds gathering in the sky.

Forever Autumn

Despite the continuation of the very welcome sun, the days are generally getting colder now that the clocks have gone back.

The trees are beginning to lose their leaves, although you wouldn't think so by the look of these trees in the castle grounds, which are still a healthy green colour.

Least We Forget

In honour of Remembrance Sunday, I give you these trees, with their sunlit autumnal shades. I know the normal flower is the poppy, but I thought that trees would be a more lasting reminder for those that were lost during the world's battles.

Blowin In The Wind

Autumn's here & so too is the colder weather, dark mornings & of course leaves. Lots & lots of leaves. There's so many trees in the grounds of the castle, that the gardeners there have to use blowers to round up all the leaves.

Preparing For Take Off

It's getting towards autumn and the mornings are a little colder now. These geese at Highfields are preparing themselves for the long flight south. I'm not sure what they are eating. I don't think it's grass. But I wouldn't have thought there's that many worms around. We should start to see the well known "V" shapes in the sky shortly, as they all fly to warmer climes.
I'd like to fly south for the winter too. Sydney would be my choice. And we could meet up with Sally and sip a glass of wine next to the harbour bridge.