Changing seasons

Things are starting to get more autumnal, the leaves have started to turn, woodsmoke is in the air from the surrounding allotments and on some mornings I hear the geese flying over as they head towards the lakes in the nearby nature reserve. September is almost over and, despite the last ditch heat wave that is predicted for this week, I'm looking forward to the rest of autumn.
This is one of my favourite times of year for cooking as stews, puddings and nourishing broths start to take over from the lighter summer foods of salads and quiches.
I've been busy in the kitchen with some the last of this year's plums which I decided to make into Jamie Oliver's Plum Bakewell tart. A few mini frangipane tarts also materialised from the left over pastry and frangipane mixture!

It was lovely, and I'm please with how in turned out despite a bit of pastry shrinkage at the blind bake stage! After a slice and a cup of tea we decided to walk it off with a trip down to Totteridge Village and the nature reserve.

I liked this row of trees on the horizon, to my mind they look like they are standing sentry in the field - though I doubt they do much to deter the crows from the crops! Just now the birds are spoilt for choice with the hedgerow boughs heavy with pretty berries; sloes, rose hips and haws. I kept an eye out for blackberries but only managed to pick a handful, the rest having already been eaten by birds or other foraging people!

Walking in a different direction from usual we discovered this lovely clearing with a small brook running through it. I love the colours of the trees as the leaves start to turn - a myriad of golds, russets and greens. A sneak preview of what autumn will bring.