Leaf peeping in the Leaf

If I’d managed to draw up an autumn bucket list this year, leaf peeping would have been way up high on the list. Not just stepping out of the front door and admiring our local trees. We do that every day and they really are a wonderful sight at the moment. No, I really mean heading further afield and seeing a glorious display.

So this weekend, we headed down to Stourhead, where they do it on a grand scale. We’ve been a few times.

Now, to add to the fun, we had borrowed an electric car for the weekend. To test if it would work for us country living explorers. A Leaf. You can imagine how many jokes everyone managed to fit around going in a Leaf to see leaves. It also became quite a game to see the electronic trees growing on the dashboard. These grew as their father drove more efficiently. Our on board forest peaked at 2 and a bit trees.

Fortunately for us, Stourhead had a lot more trees and they were real.

We ate our picnic soon after we arrived, which I was heartily glad not to lug around. Then headed off to walk around the lake. The weather oscillated from blue skies and sun, to battle ship grey and rain, but we still had fun. The best trees were climbed. Every side path was explored. Plenty of leaves were sent airborne by kicking feet. Yep, something else that would have been on my autumn list if I’d put pen to paper.

At one perfect moment, we emerged from a grotto into sunlight and looked across the lake to grey sky, rain and a double rainbow. As the rain front crept across the lake, the rainbow slowly advanced towards us. We could see people walking through it, unaware of the spectacle that we could see. Really quite magical to watch.

Back home, we lit the first fire of the year, in the woodburner and warmed up. Followed by fireworks and sparklers in the garden for Bonfire night.

I can’t help thinking that while the children seem to achieve even more intricate patterns each year with the sparklers, my ability to photograph them is not keeping pace. I need more practise.

They had a great day. All were ready for bed, skipping the usual Sunday night dragging of feet. It wasn’t until they had all gone to bed that I remembered the toffee apples I’d hidden away, ready to give them. Probably best I left them to sleep. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have thanked me.


Just to let you know, this is not an ad for electric cars. I’ve not been asked if I’ll review one. Nor received any money. I’ll probably write more about this at a later date, as we make one more leap along the path to a greener lifestyle. Fingers crossed.

Country Kids

6 comments

  1. I think one day we will all move to electric cars, I’m not sure Coombe Mill is the place for them just yet though. Sounds like it may just have won you over though and what a lovely trip out to test it! The leaves are amazing at the moment, I know we only have a week or so left of them and I’m determined to make the most of it. Wow to your rainbow, that is a stunning capture and how lovely to finish your day with fireworks in the garden.

    1. I was amazed at how much the technology has progressed, and it looks like it is getting more and more accepted. It has only just become an option for us, living in the country. I think you are right about the eaves having another week, or maybe so! Yes. We’re going to make the most of it too.

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