The evening falls a little faster, the light fades in the west and the cottage warms up to greet the night.

Missy has been reluctant to go outside today, as the rain fell steadily all afternoon.

The warm air ensures a light mist will rise from the valley tonight.

If the morning is clear, the mist will rise up through the valley and embrace the mountains of Arigna.

Rose-hips are flopping out from hedgerows…is this the sign of a cold winter to come?

We shall see!

Tea, lovely hot and comforting, the cup that cheers…thank you Jane for the beautiful mugs you made for me in your Bandon Pottery.

The flowers of the Crocosmia are in their final stages of bloom.

The vibrancy of this orange flower was brought to Ireland from South Africa over 100 years ago and have become naturalised here in the west of the country, where the Gulf stream makes the climate that little bit softer!

The days of sitting on the bench are not yet over, for the seasons here in the magical west of Ireland, never played by the rules.

Here, Mother Nature goes her wilful, wild way, delighting in surprises that open into warm January days and balmy February afternoons in sheltered places like the south side of Bealtaine Cottage, set here in its own little micro-climate.

Tiny pumpkins decorate the sitting room, reflecting the season of fruitfulness.

The light play of Autumn continues…

Bunches of drying herbs, cast shadows on the wall, as the season begins its final lunar cycle.

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