A few signs of autumn in Périgord

AUTUMN, my favourite time of the year, with chill fresh mornings, yet the warm rays of the sun create magical, swirling mists which rise from the fields.

Overnight, with a clear, full moon sky, you can take a walk by its light and as the sun rises pick out the tracks of animals in the morning dew.

It is also chestnut season as the local farmers spread their netting beneath the heavily laden trees hoping for a bountiful harvest, but until the husks are split open we won't know.

Driving around the small, tight lanes of this southern corner of Périgord the bright green, spiky chestnut dazzles high in the trees as the late afternoon sun casts shadows over the valley.

But I have an eye on next year, and as a bit of an experiment, a little square foot garden has popped up with a dozen spring cabbages in place, close enough to the house to be protected from winter frost and hopefully there will be one or two spare to pass on to friends.

Comments

[J Roger Clifford-Banks]

Cooler mornings, but lovely days. The good weather should last a while yet.

[Craig McGinty]

I hope so :-)