Autumn skies and geese...

Much, much cooler today - a definite nip in the air. It feels like autumn has finally arrived at long last.

I had a fairly routine sort of day - report writing, grocery shopping and an hour or so holding our giant steps while Alex cut back some of our overgrown conifers - the first stage to a much more drastic operation. I have to say that shopping was much more fun than usual - last week a new Waitrose opened just down the road - it's spacious, the staff are lovely, it has an excellent range of food and goods near their sell-by date are heavily discounted. What's not to like?

Just before sunset I took Rosie out to the Rowing Lake for a breath of fresh air. She didn't want to go very far, but at least it gave me achance for a few hasty shots. This crowd of Canada geese now occupy the area most of the year, although they often move elsewhere when the rowers are out in force. They always seem to be busy - grazing the grass or jostling each other on the water - a contrast to yesterday evening's tranquillity.