7th October:

Today felt like the first day of Autumn. The weather was actually quite mild, but there was definitely something in the air - an occasional chill in the breeze accompanied by the smell of a wood-burning stove somewhere that seemed to trigger the reflex of putting your hand to your collar and pulling it closed. There was also a palpable sense of melancholy, as if the sight of children kicking through small piles of auburn and brown leaves served as the absolute proof everyone needed that Summer really is over.

I watched squirrels bouncing around in the back garden over a hot coffee early this morning, and marvelled at the fact that the leaves on the tree (whatever it is) seemed to have turned bright red almost overnight. Perhaps that is why Autumn is such a visually rich season - it's nature's way of compensating you for the long dark nights that lie ahead.