The trees are going to sleep, shedding their leaves in ever increasing amounts, in a quiet ritual that has gone on for millions of years. When dreaming of autumn leaves, how many dream of asparagus with their golden feathery fronds?

It’s nearing winter, and yet there are still plenty of flowers in bloom; brilliant dahlias, blue rosemary, and white thyme. And this morning, more color came flying in from the north. We saw our first flock of white swans, flying over the valley. Many more are on their way to spend winter here, joining the flocks of snow geese which cover the fields like snow.