Time seems to be whizzing past faster than ever at the moment and I can’t be the only one who feels a sense of panic every time there’s an advert break on TV, full of Christmas urgency as they are. But I’m not feeling remotely Christmassy yet so I’m thinking I’ll just stick my head in the sand and listen to the radio instead. In my mind it’s still early autumn, a notion helped by the fact that many of the trees here are still in green leaf but it is a little wishful thinking I suppose. Last posting dates for Christmas really aren’t that far away so I’m doing my best to finish off a batch of animals. I am getting there but progress is slower than planned. This is Albie and he’s all ready to travel but his brothers and sisters are still in need of tails and buttons. I hope to have them ready in the next few days and will be sending out emails to my mailing list shortly with details of when they’ll be available to buy.

As mentioned lots of the trees here are hanging on to their green, although there’s a definite shift in the colour spectrum and some are already resplendent in autumn bright colours. It was recently half term break here and wood walks are always a good way to keep Toby busy (happily he’s back to enjoying them again). Being close to ancient broadleaf woods with a network of well trodden pathways is something that I am extremely grateful for and they never disappoint whatever the season but autumn is really the time when they are at their best.

There is something so very peaceful about walking quietly in a wood and it always does me the power of good not least because it’s a truly sensory experience…Your nose is delighted by an earthy blend of growth and decay. In the heart of the wood you can stand completely still and loose yourself in the gentle sounds; the sigh of the breeze moving the leaves; the chatter of small birds; the drilling of a woodpecker somewhere off to the right; the sudden, startled scamper of a squirrel as it looks up from burying acorns and realises you are there. With a kindly wind direction you may even be able to creep up on a muntjac, underfoot moss masking the sound of your approach until you are close enough to see individual hairs on his coat as he browses his way through the undergrowth on tippytoe pointed hooves.

Sadly I cannot capture the sounds or smells here for you but I can share some of the beauty that the woods near us provide.

Woodland pictures: Danemead wood, Ermine Street and Broxbourne Common, late October 2016