To begin with there is grey gloomy weather, cheered by a seasonal bonfire, and a clearance of gathered debris.

 

And then leaves, leaves, leaves. Some cling on until the first frosts, but most of the trees are now skeletal and bare.

 

Any left over perennials in the Front garden are cut down and cleared so that there is still a more definite structure to these spaces.

 

A few last bulbs are planted – it is hard to resist putting in a clump of narcissus ‘Curlew’ by the curfew / curlew stone, and some more ‘petrel’ at end of lochan.

 

There is further clearing of the understory in the woodland, lopping off overhanging branches as well a couple of lanky willows taken out which were ready to uproot themselves anyway. No doubt there will be further damage and losses over the coming months, but for now at least all is tidy.

 

The old compost heaps have been completely cleared out and removed and a new section of low picket fence is put in to complete and fully enclose the Allotment where they backed onto this space. This is an area which can now have more attention as it is had become a bit overlooked and densely shaded but can easily revert to become a more formal place for perennial herb beds as was always intended.

 

The compost has never really been productive in this area and it is better now that the space which is left can be used for a new shed or storage at the top of the Parkland. Removal of waste is a continual problem – a bit like sweeping under the carpet until it eventually catches up with you. It is something which needs to be addressed long term.

 

On darker days seed catalogues are pored over as containers of desire.

 

There is a sharp shift mid month to more expected wintry cold – not the snow of elsewhere, but clear frosty air which almost startles. The sunlight is low and searing, the sky an unclouded pale blue.

 

So the garden moves into winter – a long stretch of short days ahead.