on sad days

there are no poppies here, but these wild flowers on the rocky path up hill can stand in their stead, and there is light ahead.

handel bars?

Thus at the flaming forge of life
  Our fortunes must be wrought

The Springer Spaniel at Treburley nestling under a chestnut tree showing the first signs of autumnal colour.

hints of autumn

wild apples and hawthorn berries presage the arrival of autumn, alas.

and just to add a bit of colour

the last of the summer butterflies (tortoiseshell, red admiral and peacock) on knapweed and heather

a chance encounter

today, unusually, we came across several deer by surprise, probably because the wind was in an unusual direction. This little female roe deer was very slow to notice us and gave me time to take several photographs despite the dogs

two items of interest

In our garden this afternoon, the enormous caterpillar of the elephant hawk moth, trying to frighten us with his evil eye trick, and below a female spider carrying her egg sac with her to ensure  the best start possible for her off-spring.