The Hunter's moon

Well, my dears, I am in feline heaven. You may indeed ask for why and I will tell. My lady guardian did, last evening, swap the summer bedding for its autumn equivalent. My dears, it is sumptuously, heavenly warm and quite the most gorgeous of things; I am quite beside myself with delight. One quite sinks into its warm fluffiness as if a marshmallow. Oh, I do love the trappings of autumn homeliness. Perhaps the most enchanting of the autumn accompaniments is the large vase of chrysanthemums my lady guardian bought from a delightful lady in the village. Such a glorious display of autumnal colour, with a fragrance so evocative of the season. Quite, quite divine, my dears.

After the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks my lady guardian and I have spent the afternoon and evening a deux. My lady guardian was able to catch up with a family member for a cup of fine English tea before setting about a thorough cleaning and tidying session. Sadly, the weather became inclement and the laundry had to be dried by electronic means much to my lady guardian's consternation. However, our little home has been aired and refreshed to her satisfaction. My dear male guardian has sadly returned to his professional toil already much to our combined dismay but, as we are both aware, duty calls. 

This evening has seen the moon light the countryside with a beautiful shimmering light, know as the hunters moon; being referred to as such for we enter the season of hunter gathering prior to winter. Thus lit, the estate is espied shrouded in a light mist that followed the earlier heavy rain. The sky is clear, stars glisten, the temperature has dropped and the cows in the field are lowing. Oh, how we do love our rural surroundings; we are, my dears, truly blessed. 

On tour.....

Well, my dears, the antipodeans have popped over to Ireland to visit two further branches of the families. Thus saw my dear guardian's preparing the carriage at some forsaken hour to convey them to the safe hands of an experienced coachman for the onward progression of their journey. 

These last few days have been most delightful, full of coast and country walks, fun, laughter and joy with many photographic moments captured for the future. The weather has been most conducive to all the activities and only bringing forth rain on the day they leave. Shared meals, quiet contemplation and enjoyment in these simple pleasures has been paramount to all. 

Autumn has truly declared itself and the weather has begun to cool with one early morning frost. Early morning mists have given way to clear blue skies, and warm sunshine to revel in, so delightful my dears. 

Exmoor, the Jurassic coast and more...

My dears, I have spent a most glorious lazy few days betwixt and between the sanctuary garden and one's day bed, enjoying the splendourous sunshine we have enjoyed this last few days.  Yes, there has been a nip in the air, indeed the first October frost, and breezy at times, but quite, quite delightful. A most becoming skyscape if I ever did see one; acres of blue sky and quite the fluffiest white cumulus clouds. My darling guardian's delighted in a slow start to the day, enjoying a later than normal rising. Whilst my male guardian took the carriage to dispose of garden refuse, my lady guardian ensured best use of the weather and thus before long a line of laundry fluttered in the breeze. Chores were undertaken post haste and, once they were assured of my comfort,  a day spent walking on Exmoor ensued. Across moors, lakes admired, Exmoor ponies delighted in and many a breath of fine country air drawn, before returning for a light afternoon tea in the comfort of our modest abode; oh the joy, scones fresh from the oven with plenty of fine English tea to wash them down. Suitably repleat, a quiet evening of reading, knitting and chattering ensued much to the delight of all concerned.

 Another fine English day followed by another have been spent enjoying the variety of landscapes we are so glad of; Jurassic coast, north coast, sand and pebbles, ammonites, moors and lakes, all accompanied by laughter and fun in abundance. Such that dreams are made of and the very same that make such precious memories.

Oh glorious country....

What beauty we espy as we travel on our daily rigours, for we are truly blessed to live in our glorious country. Day by day, Autumn is revealed to us, the cloak dropping from the shoulders of summer to blaze the finery of Autumn in red, orange, green, gold and more. The birds and wildlife gorge on their country larders in preparation for winter and we, on our small estate, revel in the seasons and the rituals that ensue. 

Today has been a relaxed at home day, the first of the season. Simple pleasures enjoyed; partaking of  a fine brewed coffee, the periodicals, toast and fine marmalade followed by a genteel pottery day to recharge one's batteries. Later, a good book, much laughter, fine homegrown produce and maybe a nip or two of a little sloe gin, allowed to mature for several years before imbibing. More importantly, time with loved ones with a matching appreciation of a life to be lived with enjoyment of the simple things in life. This is time to make memories and fond laughter for years to come.

I feel truly blessed to live such a life and be loved by my darling guardians. It is easy, is it not, dear reader, to forget how important these simple elements of life are. "Such as dreams are made of". It is all so easy to look for big  displays and events to judge one's life by, but there is nought so underestimated than a warm home, simple food and the love of family and friends to keep one's body and soul together. Take heed, dear souls, for simple things and kind gestures are what makes the world go round.

Country or city, that is the question...

My darling Guardians have spent a few days in the Metropolis with the antipodeans. I, for my part, have been looked after by a most delightful lady who has administered to my ever need and whim, which has been most delightful for a few days. We are, however, now back to normal and, dear friends, it has to be said that there is nought so enchanting than restoring one's life to normal after a few days of excitement. At my, ahem, great age, one likes one's comforts and we have settled down together again as if shrugging on a well worn, comfortable old cardigan. Bliss, sheer bliss. 

My guardians had a most exciting time during their stay in the Metropolis. My lady guardian's twin sister and husband had rented a most delightful apartment for the stay and, oh my dears, what a delight. Spacious, comfortable and, most importantly, a stone's throw from quite anywhere. Why, the four intrepid visitors walked and walked; quite exhausting my dears but oh how they did enjoy the various delights on offer. The delights of wandering at will to view the many wares on offer, a little light shopping and more importantly, afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason before an evening spent at The Globe Theatre to see the Merchant of Venice. Why, how this has elicited much excited chatter amongst them all; the tea at Fortnum's quite surpassing expectation and the skill of the Shakesperian actors much commented upon.

A visit to St Paul's Cathedral delighted one and all. Such an amazingly intricate building designed by the most talented of architects, Sir Christopher Wren, and well worth a visit. My dear guardians are quite smitten. One has to, of course, attempt the climb up through the dome which was successfully achieved, with a little time spent in the Whispering gallery which elicited a few moments of fun for the visitors.

Four weary travellers returned last evening and now have the delights of our beautiful countryside in its autumn garb to explore. I, for my part, have now not two but four adoring humans to minister to my needs. One will take one's advantages where one can, dear friends!

Oh glorious day....

Oh, my dears, what a glorious day. A cool start but clear blue skies and a gentle breeze; quite stupendous. My dear guardians have spent the day in the garden and the home, making the most of the weather. The house has been scrubbed from top to bottom, windows wide, laundry fluttering on the breeze. The lawns have been mowed, numerous buckets of apples collected and general tidying undertaken. The carriage has been cleaned, inside and out and sits gleaming upon the drive. Oh glorious day, how we do love thee; so uplifting and so energising. An early night beckons, for how the fresh air has done us all good. We will be snug as bugs within the blink of an eye.

Sunshine and showers, apples and leaves...

'Tis inevitable, my dears, but the light has begun to fade earlier and this very evening the lamps were ablaze before the clock struck seven. A mixed weather day of brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies alternating with the darkest of grey clouds and rain showers, all accompanied by a fine blustery breeze. The apples upon the ground are accompanied by the falling of leaves, ablaze in their Autumn hues. As my guardians' and I contemplate the garden from the comfort of the armchair,  it is quite the Autumn picture that presents itself. Why the holly hedge is laden with the most plentiful supply of bright red berries that tempt the birds from the trees. There is nought so comforting as a warm lap and the golden glow of an early lit lamp to make one feel quite snug is there not? It is still too warm in our little family for heating of any kind to be considered, however we are aware that for some it is a requirement already. 

My dear lady guardian has not one but two woollen garments now in progress, a cardigan AND a pair of woollen socks. Now far be it for me to comment, but the latter look a tad too large for the delicate structure of my own fair paws. I do believe they are destined for one other than myself. Let us hope my lady guardian has ensured a plentiful supply of wool.