Bog Myrtle & Peat

The last week has brought the first distant scents of autumn. The rowan berries are suddenly red enough to catch the eye, and the bracken suddenly feels hard and weary. The first buds of devil’s bit scabious appeared on the moss last weekend. These little purple flowers often persist well into October, and they are a sure sign that change is on the way. These passive observations were thrown into focus this morning when a flight of curlews passed over the house. I suddenly paused to think about the seasons, realising at once that I have been able to hear mallard on the move under the cover of darkness for the last few nights.

There is much more summer to come, but the days are numbered.