Autumn colours at Ladybower

Murphy is in trouble again - he has done his Houdini trick once too often, twice he has gone off the radar chasing the tree rats. All sense and reason go out of the window at the sight of these grey acrobats and away he goes. The frustration caused to the dog would surely put a human into therapy - the mind boggles.

Travelling about at the moment is a visual feast, the multicoloured plants are fantastic. Try a trip up to Ladybower, the surroundings are like an artist's paint box. In the autumn sunshine only a gifted artist would do them justice.

The autumn larder has started to run out after a couple of frosts, the blackberries are very sorry for themselves. Looking at what is available - I am wondering about sloe and crab-apple pie - I will report back!

I must put this into print - my thoughts for two anglers who rescued me the other night.
I was on the buggy waiting for the evening rise when I dropped a fly, trying to pick this up resulted in my falling off and I was laid prostrate by the side of my buggy and couldn't get up.
Fortunately I could reach my pipe so all was not lost, but I was in an easy-to-fall-into-the-water-situation.
However help was on hand, I was assisted to my seat on the buggy by two good Samaritans. Thank you gentlemen.

I returned to the fireside for my supper when Murphy once again blotted his copybook. Thieving from the coffee table. I think he must be a very slow learner or just thick. But when you are as handsome as Murphy, it doesn't matter.

When he returned to base after the latest squirrel episode, he had a swagger not unlike Paul Newman in the Great Escape when he was going into solitary confinement - remember that?

The pate making is becoming an art form, and I must confess to liking it!
The instructions are so basic, first catch your trout, this is my first problem. The fish have a sense of humour and really torment me. Then when you do catch one, you fillet it and soak it in brine and then into the smoker. Couldn't be simpler. Any input of labour is richly rewarded.

The dog and I were doing our last trip of the day when we heard a terrific commotion - very loud and coming towards us very swiftly. It was a skein of geese flying just above treetop height. They were a fine sight, but so noisy. Could it be that they have backseat navigators?
''We should go left after this wood'' - can you imagine comments like that?
They carried on down the valley with a commentary all the way, what a sight and sound.

This afternoon the wife and I went to Buxton, a very pleasant afternoon, we watched a couple plight their troth in a bandstand in the park. Very impressive. The whole town has a tired yet refined air to it but friendly.
Coming back into our village we came across a 3/4 grown fox sat in the woods. It didn't want to move for us, a fox with a limited lifespan I think.

I heard a very profound saying this week, which I must share with you...
''You're getting old when almost everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work.''

The buggy calls

See you

Buggy Man