Sunday, October 26th, 2003

A couple of weekends ago, wandering in Meanwood Valley, most trees were still very much in leaf.   We'd turn a corner in the woods to be mugged by a flaming red Japanese maple, or a yellow-gold something or other.   Yesterday in Harlow Carr, many more trees stripped bare - but still the vines and other climbers shining out.

Walking down the hill this afternoon, looking over Leeds city, over the top of Roundhay park, I can still spot different trees by their colour, far across the valley.   Dark dusty green sycamores; yellow-gold planes, reddish-brown beech, deep red cherry; a few trees are still bright green, while others are starkly naked.   By now I've exhausted my tree knowledge - must find out more.

Worth repeating?   What a very special autumn it has been this year!   Easing its way through October, mild, gentle and slow.

Anyway, I've spent a couple of afternoons on the plot, cleaning up and digging.   I time my visits to be there at dusk, to catch the sun's last dip to the horizon bringing a touch of vivid fire to the trees - they glow like embers in the grate.

One plot's very nearly done - just a couple of small beds to clean.   There's also the brassicas to clean out - there are a good few nice cabbages to harvest.   There are several small but useful kale plants; the swedes are small but should come in handy in a couple of weeks time.   But not a Brussels sprout to be seen - not on my plot or anybody else's; hit hard by the dry summer?