Saying goodbye to Autumn

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My last post, about Lumiere 2015 at Durham, is a hard act to follow.  I was tempted to just let it ride until I come back to the blog in December, but the Christmas ‘rush’ will be well and truly here by then.  There’ll be no opportunity to bid farewell to Autumn.  It’s been kind to us this year and I’m quite reluctant to let it go.  Just a week or two ago I was wandering through Durham.

The cathedral gardens were looking pretty
And the cloisters empty of the activity soon to come
Artworks inhabited St. Cuthbert’s space
The weir was calm
And on the riverbank, benches for Jude
Such a cute otter!

On a bright Autumn day the shadows can be as beautiful as the blue sky.  I loved playing with them on my walk at Auckland Castle this week.  IMG_0777

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It must have been about the same time last year that I was here, because there’s a poster advertising the Christmas Food and Craft Market on 20th November.  I well remember my ginger wine and mince pie, whilst looking at the palatial dining room, shared with you on this walk.  This year they’re going a step further, with an outdoor skating rink until 3rd January.  I might just have to come back for that.

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This is the bench from the other side
And there go the walkers!

Of course, it’s no good having a great view without a bench to admire it from.  And one bench invariably leads to another.  Let’s leave the Deer House and go looking for some more shadows, shall we?  I’d better catch up to those walkers too.

Leaves against an old stone wall
Deep shadow!
Feathery pines
A wall and a stream
A last flourish of rust
A spider’s web of branches

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I think I’ve just about got Autumn out of my system.  And managed to share a few more benches for Jude.  It’s the last week of Festival of Leaves too and Verena has done a wonderful job.

If you do get the chance to visit Auckland Castle in the near future, don’t hesitate. It’s a beautiful setting and there are plans afoot to make it even more interesting.

That’s all from me for a week or two.  Take care of each other, please.

136 comments

  4. Ooh, I’d quite like some ginger wine and mince pie right now — even though in Sydney today we’re heading for a high of 40C (104F). But it’s almost too cool in the office due to the air conditioning.

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  7. We too, have experienced an extended Autumn here. Very mild temperatures although they are predicted to drop this weekend. Enjoy your time away Jo, we shall miss you my friend.

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  8. Jo, although infrequent visitor I wanted to stop by and wish you well. The deep maroon or burgundy poppy was a pretty start. I will hope you have a splendid break. 🙂
    I really enjoyed the camera play with shadows and light. I think I may have seen a few photos of the Auckland Castle before but the perspectives and directions showed new and interesting features of this beautiful castle.

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    1. Very welcome whenever you can manage it, Robin. 🙂 I did a walk from Auckland Castle this time last year, and I actually had blue skies for that too. Most unusual! It’s a lovely spot. 🙂 Take care of yourself!

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    1. I have more! Perhaps I should cancel the Algarve to give me time to post them all? 🙂 🙂 I still haven’t dared check the weather but my neighbour over there says it should be good. I hope to be watching Rafa at her home on Sunday (she was widowed suddenly and shockingly at this time last year so it’ll be a bit of distraction). Fingers crossed xx

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  12. Wonderful Jo – I love the angles that you take your shots of the architecture, really lets us appreciate it all the more. Beautiful scenes as we say goodbye to Fall.

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  17. l’intricatoa ragnatela dei rami come un sipario che racchiuda la scena dell’autunno, i fascinosi castelli e le foglie cadute, la tristezza di panchine solitariee…le tue consuete strepitose fotografie!!!! tutto veramente splendido
    buona serata cara Jo

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