cakes lane beginning to sparkle

we are very lucky to have a beautiful green lane that we share with Field Dalling, as it forms part of the boundary between that village and Bale.

today the grey sky made the autumn leaves radiate light upwards

it’s very pleasant not to have to worry about traffic with miss T off the lead,  I let her off the lead a good deal now she’s older and has more or less stopped chasing creatures, or at least not very far, if she sees them.

the lower part is edged with bracken, which a friend told me is a sign of an ancient pathway, as it will have been established when bracken was growing freely across the landscape

almost the first plant to begin to relinquish its green, it turns a pale bronzy gold colour before its final rust.

this morning the northeasterly blowing drizzle across the fields made the lane felt welcoming and sheltering

leaves falling everywhere

winter wheat pale green in the field

the lace-like structure of the bracken fronds

the hedge twiggery’s verticals and criss-crossing palisade

the ash leaves piled across the path

hazels and field maple bright discs and stars

a painterly sprinkling at the edge of vision

gold and russet gleam

the stark hedge stems against the light

we stir up the leaves along the well-trodden path

in the gloom under the tall protective hazel and maple stems

the low light makes the exit to Marsh and Hard farms glow green beyond the crouching oak trees

hazel leaves are bright

the lane narrows down

and leaves blow across like large raindrops

although it will need cutting back soon I love the lane unkempt like this, it feels safe and warm, enclosing us against the wind.